You Only Live Twice Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bond fakes his death, gets married to a local, and becomes a ninja to stop SPECTRE from starting World War III by launching rockets from a volcano… because why not?

🍿 You Only Live Twice: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Spacecraft Hijackings and Global Tension

During the Cold War, American and Soviet spacecraft mysteriously disappear in orbit, escalating tensions between the two superpowers. Each nation accuses the other, pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war. The British government suspects a third party is involved, leading MI6 to send James Bond to investigate in Japan.

Bond’s Mission in Japan

After faking his death in Hong Kong, James Bond arrives in Japan and teams up with Japanese Secret Service agent Aki and their leader, Tiger Tanaka. They investigate Osato Chemicals, a company suspected of involvement in the spacecraft hijackings. Bond uncovers evidence linking Osato to SPECTRE, the criminal organization led by Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Unmasking Blofeld’s Plot

Bond discovers that Blofeld is using a secret base hidden inside a volcano to launch spacecraft and capture both American and Soviet capsules. Blofeld’s plan is to instigate a war between the United States and the Soviet Union, allowing a third power (implied to be China) to rise to global dominance. Bond must stop Blofeld before he triggers a nuclear holocaust.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James Bond (Sean Connery): A British MI6 agent sent to Japan to investigate the hijacking of spacecraft and prevent a war between the United States and the Soviet Union.
• Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Donald Pleasence): The leader of SPECTRE who orchestrates the spacecraft hijackings to ignite a global conflict and establish a new world superpower.
• Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi): A skilled Japanese secret service agent and Bond’s ally who aids him in uncovering SPECTRE’s plot, developing a brief romantic relationship with him.
• Tiger Tanaka (Tetsurô Tanba): The head of the Japanese Secret Service who teams up with Bond and provides resources, including ninja warriors, to combat SPECTRE.
• Helga Brandt (Karin Dor): A SPECTRE agent and Mr. Osato’s secretary who attempts to kill Bond but ultimately fails, leading to her demise at Blofeld’s hand.
• Mr. Osato (Teru Shimada): A Japanese industrialist affiliated with SPECTRE, providing resources and acting as a front for their operations in Japan.
• Kissy (Mie Hama): A Japanese agent who is the only surviving female lead and who is disguised as Bond’s wife.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tiger Tanaka: “It can save your life, this cigarette.” – Tiger Tanaka introduces Bond to a cigarette gun, showcasing the inventive gadgets in the film.
• Blofeld: “This organization does not tolerate failure.” – Blofeld coldly states his zero-tolerance policy before executing a subordinate who failed to kill James Bond.
• Blofeld: “Extortion is my business” – Blofeld makes this statement to his Chinese allies as he is demanding 100 million dollars for starting a war between the Soviet Union and America
• James Bond: “Oh the things I do for England.” – Bond says this tongue-in-cheek as he is about to go through with the Japanese marriage

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $43,084,787
• Worldwide Gross: $43,115,913

💥 You Only Live Twice Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being completely blown away by the volcano lair! It’s still one of the coolest sets I’ve ever seen in a Bond film. Connery might have been phoning it in a bit, but Pleasence as Blofeld is iconic. It’s a bit silly, sure, but it’s just so much fun. The Little Nellie sequence always puts a smile on my face. Bond films don’t get more entertaining.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic James Bond films”
  • “Viewers interested in Cold War spy stories”
  • “Those who enjoy action and adventure films with exotic locations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and action sequences”
  • “Brief suggestive scenes”
  • “Cultural stereotypes that may be considered outdated by today’s standards”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “You Only Live Twice boasts spectacular sets and exotic locales, but struggles with a convoluted plot and Connery’s apparent disinterest. The film relies heavily on spectacle, overshadowing the story’s coherence.
• The New York Times: “While the film offers visually stunning scenes in Japan and a memorable villain in Donald Pleasence’s Blofeld, it veers into the realm of the unbelievable, with a plot that stretches the limits of credulity. Still, it’s entertaining in its own outlandish way.
• N/A: “This one is a triumph for Ken Adam’s sets. The volcano base is the most memorable feature of the film. Oh, the story is fun and the gadgets are cool, but those sets really sell the film.

Audience Reactions

The volcano lair is the best villain base of all time.: The visually stunning sets, especially Blofeld’s volcano base, are consistently praised.

Donald Pleasence IS Blofeld.: Pleasence’s portrayal of Blofeld is considered iconic and memorable.

Overall Consensus: You Only Live Twice is a visually impressive but somewhat flawed Bond film, with a memorable villain and spectacular sets, but a convoluted plot and a less-than-enthusiastic Connery.

Awards

1. BAFTA Film Award (Best British Art Direction (Colour))- 1968

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The screenplay was written by Roald Dahl, who is better known for his children’s books. He admitted that he essentially wrote a treatment rather than a complete script, and that he didn’t take the assignment very seriously.”
• “During location scouting in Japan, the production team narrowly avoided death. They were scheduled to fly on BOAC flight 911 from Tokyo to Hong Kong, but a last-minute invitation to a ninja demonstration caused them to miss the flight, which crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all aboard.”
• “Donald Pleasence’s portrayal of Blofeld in this film set the standard for the character’s appearance in popular culture, particularly the bald head and facial scar, which became iconic tropes for villains.”

🖥️ How to Watch You Only Live Twice?

You Only Live Twice is available for streaming on various platforms. It can be rented or purchased on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD, are widely available for purchase online and in stores, making it easy to own a piece of Bond history.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed You Only Live Twice, you might like these similar films:

• Dr. No (1962): The first James Bond film, it sets the template for the series, featuring a mysterious villain with a hidden lair and a global threat.
• Thunderball (1965): Another Sean Connery Bond film featuring SPECTRE as the main antagonist, with a plot involving stolen nuclear weapons and underwater action.
• The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): Features a villain with a grand scheme for world domination and a technologically advanced underwater base, echoing the over-the-top elements of ‘You Only Live Twice’.
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997): Parodies many of the tropes found in ‘You Only Live Twice,’ including the over-the-top villain lairs and the character of Dr. Evil, inspired by Donald Pleasence’s Blofeld.

🛒 You Only Live Twice Related Products

• James Bond 007: You Only Live Twice (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray version for a visually stunning viewing experience. Enjoy the classic Bond adventure with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• James Bond 007: You Only Live Twice Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Perfect for adding a touch of classic Bond to any room. Great gift idea.
• Corgi James Bond You Only Live Twice Toyota 2000GT Diecast Model: Highly detailed diecast model of Aki’s Toyota 2000GT from the film. A faithful replica for collectors and Bond enthusiasts. High quality.
• Funko Pop! Movies: James Bond – Blofeld (You Only Live Twice): A stylized and fun vinyl figure of Blofeld. A quirky and collectible item for any fan. The only thing this Blofeld is missing, is the white cat to pet

🎧 Soundtrack

You Only Live Twice features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You Only Live Twice” – performed by Nancy Sinatra
• “Capsule in Space” – performed by John Barry
• “Bond Meets Osato” – performed by John Barry

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE | Little Nellie

Prepare to be amazed by the real-life inspiration behind Little Nellie, the unforgettable autogyro from ‘You Only Live Twice’! Dive into the world of gadgets with this fascinating video.

You had no idea this was so expensive in James Bond You Only Live Twice

Uncover the shocking cost of the volcano set in ‘You Only Live Twice’! This video reveals the staggering amount of resources poured into crafting one of the film’s most iconic locations.

You Only Live Twice – This Aged Great!

Join Ben and Jordan for a hilarious and thought-provoking look at ‘You Only Live Twice’! They’ll dissect the film, its strengths, and its quirks, leaving you with a fresh perspective on this classic.

James Bond Car Toyota 2000GT.mp4

Discover the captivating story of the Toyota 2000GT, the first Japanese supercar that graced the silver screen in ‘You Only Live Twice’! This video will ignite your passion for classic cars and the world of James Bond.

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