🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter R. Hunt
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Spy
- Release year: 1969
- Runtime (length): 2h 22min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (103K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Bond goes skiing, gets married, then his wife immediately dies, proving marriage is bad for spies and everyone involved.
🍿 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Bond meets Tracy and Draco
James Bond, played by George Lazenby in his only outing as 007, saves Contessa Teresa “Tracy” di Vicenzo from drowning and later encounters her at a casino. Tracy’s father, Marc-Ange Draco, the head of the Unione Corse crime syndicate, sees potential in Bond and offers him a deal: information on Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s whereabouts in exchange for Bond romancing Tracy. Bond, desperate to find Blofeld, reluctantly agrees.
The Search for Blofeld and Piz Gloria
Bond follows the leads provided by Draco, leading him to a Swiss lawyer and eventually to Sir Hilary Bray, a genealogist. Posing as Bray, Bond infiltrates Blofeld’s allergy-research institute atop Piz Gloria in the Swiss Alps. There, he discovers Blofeld’s sinister plot involving brainwashed women, the “Angels of Death”, set to distribute bacteriological warfare agents.
Escape and Romance
After uncovering Blofeld’s scheme and being exposed, Bond escapes from Piz Gloria, pursued by Blofeld and his henchmen. He is aided by Tracy, leading to a thrilling car chase and a blizzard that forces them to seek shelter. During this time, Bond and Tracy fall deeply in love, and Bond proposes marriage.
The Final Confrontation
Blofeld threatens the world with agricultural destruction unless his demands are met. Despite being forbidden by M, Bond enlists Draco’s help to attack Piz Gloria and rescue Tracy, who has been captured. The facility is destroyed, and Blofeld escapes, leading to a bobsleigh chase where he is injured.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- James Bond (George Lazenby): A British secret agent, code-named 007, who goes undercover to stop Blofeld’s plan and finds himself falling in love.
- Tracy (Diana Rigg): A troubled countess and the daughter of a crime boss who falls in love with James Bond and becomes his wife.
- Blofeld (Telly Savalas): The head of SPECTRE who plans to blackmail the world by threatening to destroy crops with a bacteriological weapon.
- Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti): The head of a crime syndicate and Tracy’s father who helps Bond find Blofeld in exchange for Bond’s relationship with his daughter.
- Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat): Blofeld’s loyal henchwoman who assists in his criminal activities and is involved in the tragic ending.
- Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell): M’s secretary who is loyal to Bond and helps him in his missions, showing some affection for him.
- M (Bernard Lee): The head of MI6 who gives Bond his missions, sometimes clashing with Bond’s methods.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- James Bond: “This never happened to the other fellow.” – Bond says this directly to the camera after getting into a fight at the beginning of the movie, acknowledging the change in actors.
- James Bond: “I’m afraid I’m out of uniform.” – Bond says this sarcastically after arriving at Sir Hilary Bray’s home wearing the man’s kilt in disguise.
- Tracy: “I belong to no one.” – Tracy emphatically tells Bond that she cannot be owned or controlled by anyone, reflecting her independent spirit.
- Blofeld: “As you see, I am about to inaugurate a new era in the history of mankind.” – Blofeld states his grandiose ambitions to Bond, highlighting his megalomania.
- James Bond: “We have all the time in the world.” – Bond says this tragically at the very end of the movie, moments after Tracy is murdered.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $7,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $22,774,493
- Worldwide Gross: $82,000,000
💥 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll admit, I went into this movie with low expectations because of all the Lazenby hate. But honestly? I was blown away. The ski chase is legendary, and Diana Rigg is by far my favorite Bond girl. The ending? Absolutely heartbreaking, and it actually made me care about Bond as a person, not just a suave spy. This one is underrated and totally worth a watch.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic spy films”
- “Viewers who appreciate complex character development”
- “Audiences interested in action-packed movies with tragic romances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence, including gunfights and hand-to-hand combat”
- “Some suggestive content”
- “Thematic elements including suicide attempt”
- “Death of a major character”
Professional Reviews
- The New York Times: “While Lazenby’s debut is shaky, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ offers thrilling action sequences and a surprisingly emotional depth, anchored by Rigg’s compelling performance as Tracy.
- Variety: “A bold and ambitious entry in the Bond series, ‘OHMSS’ distinguishes itself with spectacular stunts, a complex narrative, and a tragic romance that resonates long after the credits roll.
- RogerEbert.com: “I think Lazenby does a great job with the role. He’s nowhere near as good as Connery, of course, but I thought that other than the scenes where he tried to seriously emote, he carried the film with his charisma and physical presence. I strongly believe he should have continued in the role. The script, with a solid plot, good dialogue, and good characterization.
Audience Reactions
The emotional depth and tragic love story sets this Bond film apart from the others.: Viewers appreciated the realistic action, strong female lead, and unique serious tone.
The ski chase and other action sequences were exciting and well-executed.: Many loved the breathtaking Swiss Alps setting and thrilling stunts.
Overall Consensus: A divisive but ultimately compelling Bond film with impressive action and an emotionally resonant story.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “George Lazenby had no prior acting experience before being cast as James Bond.”
- “The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant in Switzerland was used as Blofeld’s mountaintop headquarters and still operates today.”
- “This is the only Bond film where James Bond gets married.”
- “Sean Connery was offered a large sum to return, but declined, leading to Lazenby’s casting.”
- “Peter Hunt, the director, had previously worked as an editor on several Bond films, bringing a unique pacing to the action sequences.”
🖥️ How to Watch On Her Majesty’s Secret Service?
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite services. You might also find it available for streaming on platforms that offer classic Bond films, depending on your region.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, you might like these similar films:
- Casino Royale (2006): Features a more vulnerable and emotionally complex James Bond, similar to Lazenby’s portrayal.
- The Living Daylights (1987): Another Bond film that tries to bring back Fleming’s more serious and less gadget-reliant spy.
- North by Northwest (1959): Classic suspense with mistaken identity, glamorous locations, and thrilling chases.
- Inception (2010): Features a complex plot, international locations, and a team working together to achieve a seemingly impossible goal.
🛒 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Related Products
- Aston Martin DB5 1:18 Scale Model: A meticulously crafted diecast model of James Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5, complete with movie-accurate detailing.
- James Bond 007: The Ultimate Collection [Blu-ray]: Includes all the official James Bond films and the most comprehensive collection of 007 films in HD. A must own!
- James Bond: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Ian Fleming Novel): Experience the original story by Ian Fleming. Get to know James Bond as he was orignally envisioned!
- James Bond 007 Cologne: Smell just like 007 himself! This is the official cologne of James Bond. Make your mark!
🎧 Soundtrack
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” – performed by John Barry Orchestra
- “We Have All the Time in the World” – performed by Louis Armstrong
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
George Lazenby, despite a promising start and physical prowess, received poor advice from his agent, who believed the James Bond franchise had no future in the 1970s. Lazenby decided not to renew his contract, leading to his departure after just one film.
Principal filming locations included Switzerland (Piz Gloria revolving restaurant in the Swiss Alps), Portugal, and England. The Piz Gloria location was crucial, serving as Blofeld’s mountaintop headquarters.
The song “We Have All the Time in the World,” which became synonymous with the romance between Bond and Tracy, is performed by the legendary Louis Armstrong.
Blofeld’s plan involves using brainwashed women, the “Angels of Death,” to distribute bacteriological warfare agents worldwide, threatening to destroy crops and hold the world ransom unless his demands for amnesty and recognition of his title are met.
🔥 Bonus Content
Did you know that in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”
Curious about some cool trivia about ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’? This video has got you covered, with fascinating facts and rare footage!
Diana Rigg 2011 interview on ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE, Garlic and George Lazenby
Want to know more about the enigmatic Tracy Bond? This interview with Diana Rigg is a must-watch. She candidly discusses her role and her experience working alongside George Lazenby.
George Lazenby Talks 007 & On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Ever wondered what George Lazenby had to say about playing James Bond? This interview gives us a glimpse into his thoughts on the role, his experience on set, and why he chose to leave the franchise.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
