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George Lazenby will forever be remembered as the James Bond who had just one shot at the role. Stepping into the massive shoes of Sean Connery, who retired after five iconic Bond films, Lazenby faced the daunting task of carrying the franchise forward. While his tenure is often associated with failure, this reputation stems more from offscreen controversies and behind-the-scenes drama than from his performance. In truth, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the series.
“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” follows James Bond as he infiltrates the sinister plans of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the leader of the nefarious organization SPECTRE. Bond goes undercover as a genealogist to investigate Blofeld’s scheme, which involves brainwashing young women to carry out biological warfare. Amidst his mission, Bond falls in love with the courageous and independent Tracy di Vicenzo, the daughter of a powerful crime lord. Together, they uncover Blofeld’s alpine lair in the Swiss Alps and will try to thwart his plan.
What sets “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” apart from the previous Bond films is that it boldly takes the series in a fresh and original direction. While there are some obligatory callbacks and references to earlier movies and characters, many of the tropes audiences had come to expect from a James Bond adventure are notably absent. Gadgets from Q, a staple of the franchise, are largely missing from the plot, and the globe-trotting is scaled back to a focused journey across the U.K., Portugal, and Switzerland. This more grounded approach gives the film a unique identity within the series.
Bond also experiences a genuine love story with Tracy (Diana Rigg), a rarity in the franchise, and her arc sets up one of the most heartbreaking endings in Bond history. The film’s emotional conclusion stands out as one of the few in the series to end on a somber note, rivaled only by “No Time to Die” in its poignancy. This departure from the typical Bond formula adds depth and emotional weight, making “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” a standout installment.
The story itself is fairly straightforward, with much of the action unfolding in Switzerland during Christmas time. This setting not only introduces snowy alpine scenery—a first for a franchise that typically favors exotic locales—but also establishes the film as a contender for the title of “Christmas movie.” At one point, we even see Blofeld hanging an ornament on a Christmas tree. With its festive backdrop and seasonal elements, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” earns its place alongside “Die Hard” and “Gremlins” in the pantheon of debatable Christmas classics.
Despite his romance with Tracy, Bond’s undercover mission leads him to seduce several women at Blofeld’s so-called clinical allergy research facility atop a mountain. Each of these women is a glamorous model, and the film includes moments that set it apart from the rest of the series. In one scene, an exposed breast is visible as Bond spends time with one of the women. This element makes “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” the only Bond movie to feature actual female nudity, adding a touch of risqué realism that the franchise otherwise avoids.
Despite several scenes featuring obvious rear projection, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” delivers genuinely tense moments, such as the thrilling ski chase down a Swiss mountain. At one point, James Bond is forced to continue the pursuit using only one ski, a daring feat performed by a real stunt person on camera. This commitment to practical effects enhances the tension and immerses the audience in the action, making it one of the most gripping sequences in the film.
The fight scenes in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” are notably more coherent and choreographed compared to earlier entries in the series. George Lazenby holds his own impressively in the numerous brawls against Blofeld’s henchmen, bringing a physicality and intensity to Bond’s combat style. Honestly, after the opening scene, I found myself forgetting Sean Connery entirely. Perhaps the shift in actors was more jarring for audiences at the time, but with 63 years of multiple Bonds to reflect on, I quickly adapted to Lazenby’s portrayal and accepted him as 007 without hesitation.
Keeping “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” from reaching perfection are a few nitpicks. One glaring issue arises from the decision to adapt the Bond books out of order. This creates a significant plot hole when James Bond infiltrates Blofeld’s lair. In the previous film, “You Only Live Twice“, Bond and Blofeld had a direct face-to-face confrontation. Yet, in this movie, their interaction is treated as if they are meeting for the first time. This inconsistency can be jarring for attentive viewers and undermines the continuity of the storyline.
Because Bond goes undercover in Blofeld’s lair, Tracy disappears for much of the second act, leaving her relationship with Bond to essentially bookend the movie. This feels like a disservice to a character who holds such a vital role in the story and even in Bond history. Tracy’s absence during a large portion of the film diminishes the emotional depth of their romance, which could have been even more impactful if her presence and development were more consistent throughout.
“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is undoubtedly one of the best films in the James Bond franchise, and even Sean Connery himself went on record saying that he would have liked to star in a Bond movie like this one. The film’s more emotional and grounded approach stood in stark contrast to the larger-than-life escapades of his earlier Bond outings. Despite this, Connery would return to the role in the next installment, “Diamonds Are Forever”, proving that the allure of the iconic character was hard to resist.
