This is an absolutely beautiful film. For me it really stands out as something quite different from the rest of the franchise. There is a high artistic quality and loving care about this film which isn't present with most of the rest of the series. Outstandingly suspenseful action, some lovely introspective moments, and a beautiful romance awaits.
The thing that I find truly remarkable throughout the entire film is the direction by Peter R Hunt. Every single shot is discerningly and lovingly composed, so beautiful to look at. A beautiful romantic energy permeates the experience of this film. Cinematographer Michael Reed deserves much credit for his role creating these beautiful shots as well.
What's more, when the action scenes begin there is a wonderfully fierce powerful energy surrounding Lazenby's Bond and his enemies. The action scenes, including the car chase and skirmishes across the snow, have this fantastic nervous tension to them. We really feel as if we're part of the seriousness of Bond and Tracy's situation.
Adding to creating the experience of this movie is the gorgeous soundtrack from John Barry. I can't overstate how it really contributes enormously here. The music on offer really feels outstanding from the rest of the series.
Diana Rigg's Bond girl character Tracy is used wonderfully well. Unlike seemingly many Bond films where the girl is barely given anything to do apart from stand around half-naked, Tracy is an instrumental part of the story. She's there in the first act and the third act, and when she's absent during the middle of the film she is in our thoughts (perhaps as she is also in Bond's thoughts). We learn much about her and her family, and her character really has some kind of halfway decent development here. Bond isn't the only character who cares about her in this film either.
Perhaps many people do not like Lazenby's portrayal of Bond. The reality is however is that Bond is a different character in this film compared with most of the others. He is more introspective and meticulous. Perhaps a more respectable and relatable gentleman than many other Bond films too - he has normal human weaknesses and imperfections, yet manages to remain composed whatever the situation.
Telly Savalas as Blofeld is also greatly rewarding this time round. He's wonderfully charismatic and a great gentleman counterpart for Bond. His presence in this picture never gets old.
As we cross the 2 hour mark the film grows a little tiresome for a short while, but there is still so much to enjoy in the composition of every shot, at the very least we can just sit back and enjoy the beauty.
While in many Bond films the finale just seems to drag on and on and the film seems too long even with the standard 130 minute runtime, in OMHSS the finale carries some really powerful emotional weight. It's a seriously stressful scenario (not simply the cliche "bad guys take over the world") There's a lot immediately at stake as the characters are deeply personally vested in the outcome here.
The pacing of the film in general is very well balanced. Introspective moments and suspenseful action very elegantly flow between each other.
If you're a film lover you should give this movie a go. All the James Bond stuff aside it is a beautiful cinematic experience in its own right.
The thing that I find truly remarkable throughout the entire film is the direction by Peter R Hunt. Every single shot is discerningly and lovingly composed, so beautiful to look at. A beautiful romantic energy permeates the experience of this film. Cinematographer Michael Reed deserves much credit for his role creating these beautiful shots as well.
What's more, when the action scenes begin there is a wonderfully fierce powerful energy surrounding Lazenby's Bond and his enemies. The action scenes, including the car chase and skirmishes across the snow, have this fantastic nervous tension to them. We really feel as if we're part of the seriousness of Bond and Tracy's situation.
Adding to creating the experience of this movie is the gorgeous soundtrack from John Barry. I can't overstate how it really contributes enormously here. The music on offer really feels outstanding from the rest of the series.
Diana Rigg's Bond girl character Tracy is used wonderfully well. Unlike seemingly many Bond films where the girl is barely given anything to do apart from stand around half-naked, Tracy is an instrumental part of the story. She's there in the first act and the third act, and when she's absent during the middle of the film she is in our thoughts (perhaps as she is also in Bond's thoughts). We learn much about her and her family, and her character really has some kind of halfway decent development here. Bond isn't the only character who cares about her in this film either.
Perhaps many people do not like Lazenby's portrayal of Bond. The reality is however is that Bond is a different character in this film compared with most of the others. He is more introspective and meticulous. Perhaps a more respectable and relatable gentleman than many other Bond films too - he has normal human weaknesses and imperfections, yet manages to remain composed whatever the situation.
Telly Savalas as Blofeld is also greatly rewarding this time round. He's wonderfully charismatic and a great gentleman counterpart for Bond. His presence in this picture never gets old.
As we cross the 2 hour mark the film grows a little tiresome for a short while, but there is still so much to enjoy in the composition of every shot, at the very least we can just sit back and enjoy the beauty.
While in many Bond films the finale just seems to drag on and on and the film seems too long even with the standard 130 minute runtime, in OMHSS the finale carries some really powerful emotional weight. It's a seriously stressful scenario (not simply the cliche "bad guys take over the world") There's a lot immediately at stake as the characters are deeply personally vested in the outcome here.
The pacing of the film in general is very well balanced. Introspective moments and suspenseful action very elegantly flow between each other.
If you're a film lover you should give this movie a go. All the James Bond stuff aside it is a beautiful cinematic experience in its own right.