On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
-
What is 'On Her Majesty’s Secret Service'?
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, released in 1969, is the sixth film in the James Bond series, notable as the first without Sean Connery. In the film, Bond, played by George Lazenby, saves Tracy (Diana Rigg) in Portugal. After she is captured, Bond enlists Draco's aid for a helicopter attack on Blofeld's Piz Gloria hideout in the Swiss Alps. A toboggan chase ensues, resulting in Blofeld’s apparent death. Bond marries Tracy, but she is killed during their honeymoon by Blofeld and Irma Bunt.
Despite initial criticism, the film has gained a strong reputation over time. It is praised for its script, musical score, and action sequences.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Who directed the film 'On Her Majesty’s Secret Service'?
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, released in 1969, was directed by Peter R. Hunt. This British spy film is the sixth installment in the James Bond series. The film opens with Bond (George Lazenby) in Portugal, searching for Blofeld (Telly Savalas), the head of SPECTRE. While there, Bond saves a young woman named Tracy (Diana Rigg). After Bond's true identity is uncovered, he escapes on skis and proposes to Tracy. They marry, but as they embark on their honeymoon, their car is sprayed with bullets by Blofeld and his henchwoman, Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat), killing Tracy.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Which famous fictional spy is the main character in the movie?
The main character in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) is James Bond, the famous fictional spy created by Ian Fleming. In this sixth installment of the James Bond series, Bond is played by George Lazenby. Bond finds himself in search of Blofeld, the head of SPECTRE, and along the way, he saves a young woman named Tracy, falls in love, and eventually marries her. This film is known for being the only one where Bond gets married, though the marriage ends in tragedy.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is the main plot or mission in this James Bond film?
In On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, James Bond, played by George Lazenby, is in pursuit of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the head of SPECTRE. Bond saves Tracy from suicide and is later offered a marriage proposal in exchange for assistance in locating Blofeld. This leads Bond to a Swiss Alps allergy-research institute, where he discovers Blofeld's plot to use brainwashed women to spread a virus that would destroy animal and plant life unless his demands are met. Bond and Tracy marry, but she is killed shortly after, during their honeymoon, by Blofeld and his henchwoman.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How does this film differ from earlier James Bond movies?
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the sixth installment in the James Bond series, distinguishes itself from its predecessors in several ways. Most notably, it was the first film in the series to not star Sean Connery as James Bond; George Lazenby, an Australian model with no prior acting experience, took on the role.
Lazenby's portrayal brought a previously unseen vulnerability to the normally unflappable Bond. The film also stays close to Ian Fleming’s novel, boasting one of the series’ best scripts, a fine musical score, and inspired direction. Unlike previous films, On Her Majesty's Secret Service features Bond falling in love and marrying Tracy, who is then tragically killed, adding a layer of emotional depth.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Why is 'On Her Majesty’s Secret Service' considered important in the James Bond series?
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, released in 1969, stands out in the James Bond series because it was the first not to star Sean Connery, featuring George Lazenby in the role of Bond. Despite initial dismissal by critics, it has since gained recognition for its strong script faithful to Ian Fleming’s novel, memorable action sequences, and direction by Peter R. Hunt. Diana Rigg's role as the Bond girl was also well-received. The film is also noted for showing a vulnerable side to Bond, ending with the tragic death of his wife, Tracy, which adds emotional depth to the series.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, British spy film, released in 1969, that was the sixth installment in the popular James Bond series and the first not to feature Sean Connery. Although largely dismissed by critics at the time of its release, the movie subsequently grew in reputation.
The movie opens with Bond (George Lazenby) in Portugal, where he is searching for Blofeld (Telly Savalas), head of the criminal organization SPECTRE. While there, Bond saves a young woman named Tracy (Diana Rigg) from committing suicide. That evening at a casino, she loses at baccarat, but Bond covers her losses. She repays his gallantry by spending the night with him before vanishing the next morning. Bond is then kidnapped by crime kingpin Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti), who explains that he is a widower and that Tracy is his daughter. Draco is concerned about Tracy’s reckless behaviour, and he offers Bond a large sum of money if he will marry her. Bond pretends to consider the offer and, in return, asks Draco to use his considerable intelligence resources to help him find Blofeld. The trail leads to Piz Gloria, an allergy-research institute owned by Blofeld in the Swiss Alps.
Upon his arrival, Bond—posing as an expert from the College of Arms in London—discovers that a number of young women are patients at the institute. However, it soon becomes clear that the women are Blofeld’s “angels of death.” They have been brainwashed to spread a virus that will obliterate animal and plant life unless his demands are met. After Bond’s true identity is uncovered, he escapes on skis, and at the bottom of the hill, he is shocked to find Tracy, who has followed him to Switzerland. He proposes to her. The next day the two attempt to escape down the mountainside, but Blofeld initiates an avalanche. Although Bond escapes, Tracy is captured. Bond enlists the aid of Draco and his men to launch a helicopter attack on Piz Gloria. A brutal battle ensues, and Bond saves Tracy before the institute is destroyed. He then pursues Blofeld in a high-speed toboggan chase that results in the criminal’s apparent death. Back in London, Bond marries Tracy. However, as the newlyweds embark on their honeymoon, their car is sprayed with bullets by Blofeld and his henchwoman, Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat). Tracy is killed, and as Bond cradles his dead wife, he repeats their favourite saying, “We have all the time in the world.”
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
After You Only Live Twice (1967), Connery had announced that he would no longer play Bond, and filmmakers were forced to find a replacement. (The parody Casino Royale [1967] featured David Niven as 007, but the film is not considered part of the Bond franchise.) They ultimately chose Lazenby, an Australian model who had no prior acting experience. Although often compared unfavourably with Connery, Lazenby was noted for bringing a vulnerability to the normally unflappable Bond. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service boasts one of the series’ best scripts—which stays close to Ian Fleming’s 1963 novel—a fine musical score, and inspired direction by the franchise’s former editor, Peter R. Hunt. Rigg was well cast as the Bond girl, and the movie features memorable action and stunt sequences, including the toboggan chase, which cameraman Willy Bogner filmed while skiing backwards. Although a box-office hit, the film grossed well below those starring Connery. Lazenby stunned producers by announcing that this would be his only Bond film. Connery was subsequently lured back for Diamonds Are Forever (1971).
Production notes and credits
- Studios: Danjaq and Eon Productions
- Director: Peter R. Hunt
- Producers: Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman
- Writer: Richard Maibaum
- Music: John Barry
- Running time: 142 minutes
Cast
- George Lazenby (James Bond)
- Diana Rigg (Tracy)
- Telly Savalas (Blofeld)
- Gabriele Ferzetti (Draco)
- Ilse Steppat (Irma Bunt)