Discuss On Her Majesty's Secret Service
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Meh...and then the gut punch
posted by DRDMovieMusingsSTAFFMOD on October 18, 2023 at 11:02 PM
I wanted to like George Lazenby as Bond but, most of the time, he seemed to be smiling as though he felt lucky to be in the role, rather than emoting to the degree of the stakes.
However, having finally sat through this movie for the first time, the last scene with Tracy was heartwrenching, and cemented forever how much Bond came to hate Blofeld [edit} as well as became resigned to never falling in love again, accepting that his peculiar skills were of value in service to her majesty and entrenched him in a world in which he could never just settle down.
Reply by rooprect
on October 19, 2023 at 9:33 AM
Pretty accurate! From what I've read, he was spotted in a barber shop and given the role basically on his looks (he was a used car salesmsan turned model).
I don't remember a thing about this movie even though I saw it just last year, so I guess Lazenby was literally forgettable. I remember spending way more time reading & watching documentaries on the drama behind the scenes, Lazenby refusing to do any more Bond films, then being "flat broke" within 3 years followed by his understandable spiral into alcoholism & depression. Both Connery & Roger Moore have said Lazenby was a nice guy, not a bad actor, but the success all at once just tanked him.
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on October 19, 2023 at 9:54 AM
Kind of a shame. He indeed looked good...evidently, acting is a little more than that, who knew?!
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on October 19, 2023 at 10:02 AM
I found Lazenby's Bond reluctant. He'd rather be doing something else. When he was taken off a case, his response was decisive, "F it, I quit." I was, like, "wow." Compare with Connery in NSNA, when he's saying "this training is BS, Double-Os need to be in the field, doing it."
Reply by bratface
on October 19, 2023 at 6:37 PM
I was surprised that he is still alive & working. They might be 'B' movies but...?
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0493872/
Here's one of many articles from late last year:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/james-bond-star-george-lazenby-25000838
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on October 19, 2023 at 7:10 PM
His being axed over unacceptable comments is right on brand with what I'd heard about him. He's one of those dudes.
Reply by bratface
on October 19, 2023 at 7:19 PM
I didn't read the article, it was just the most recent one I could find.