Au service secret de Sa Majesté

Je ne comprends pas vraiment le ressentiment général envers ce film de la série, qui, malgré ses nombreuses références aux numéros précédents, peut fonctionner comme une entité autonome et est l'un des rares de la série à tenter une approche et un ton différents. Vous ne trouverez pas, dans les premiers – et peut-être même tous les – films de Bond, une séquence plus émouvante que le final de celui-ci. George Lazenby a beau n’avoir pas duré dans le rôle de Bond, il évolue dans le film comme un poisson dans l’eau et, dans une dimension parallèle, j'aurais souhaité voir plus d'épisodes avec lui (ainsi que Timothy Dalton par la suite). Pour moi, la seule ombre au tableau reste, même après toutes ces années, le montage objectivement sens dessus dessous des scènes d'action ; les cinéastes n'avaient décidément pas encore le tour à cette époque-là. Et ils auraient dû couper le générique de fin, ou plutôt sa mélodie, quelques secondes plus tard. Moi, je l’aurais laissé sans son. (16/11/2021)

Lazenby is not charismatic but rather arrogant, the Bond girl is an unsympathetic bitch, and the bland script lets 007 sail through a story where absolutely nothing happens for the first hour. Then, documents are stolen in Switzerland, there’s a bit of skiing, and finally, the Blofeld mansion is attacked. Two and a half hours of cruel boredom. PS: The fact that Blofeld doesn't recognize Bond in their first scene together (given that the film sort of picks up from the previous film) amazes me more than the sloppy wedding. (27/12/2012)

Laziness is far from the biggest problem of this bizarre Bond film with the breathtaking scenery of the Swiss Alps. The most noticeable is a new director who tries to take the persona of Bond in a completely different direction than before. The result is a mission of agent 007 with a story that is much more intertwined with personal adventures rather than serving the country. Unfortunately, the technical side of the film is highly questionable as well. The fights push the envelope a bit, but the editing is incredibly chaotic and there are no impressive visual effects. Essentially, Bond without juice, plus a very long running time. (05/01/2014)

With much hindsight, and having finally seen this Bond film in its original version, I have to admit that it's not bad at all. I'd even argue that it's a great pity Lazenby didn't (want to) get another chance. He plays 007 quite convincingly, although he lacks Connery's charm. He's tough and his fights, for example, are a joy to watch. The film also features the first of Bond's ski chases, an impeccably shot avalanche scene, a bobsled chase, and a final mega-action set piece with helicopters. Blofeld, with the face of Telly Savalas, once again has an admirable diabolical plan, and the Bond girl (Bond wife?), who always gives me goosebumps, is really hot. There's a wonderful song to go with it (when Louis Armstrong sings John Barry's tune, everything is perfect). Five stars. (24/04/2010)

A great Bond film with one mammoth and inherent BUT. Almost everything works the way it is supposed to for agent 007 – a very decent script, excellent action scenes (unless they happen to be spoiled by the editor with his epileptic and illogical alternation of views), a truly exceptionally charismatic Bond girl, the traditionally excellent John Barry in the orchestra pit, and Blofeld in the luxurious version of Telly Savalas. Peter R. Hunt directed the film with an overview, and the only BUT also relates to his work. The BUT is George Lazenby, playing the lead role of Agent 007, the man on which it all hinges. I have nothing against Lazenby trying to do Bond his own way, give him some warmth of the family fireplace and a desire to settle down. The real stumbling block is the lack of acting skills of the main protagonist, who takes Bond into the role of a wooden doll whose catchphrases sound so starchy and forced that after a while they get on one's nerves. Although Lazenby had excellent physical qualifications, he did not sell them in the film, because he could not smuggle real passion or aggression into Bond. He's just riding along with the rest of the movie, and his chosen Diana Rigg, even his opponent Telly Savalas, are better actors. It's a shame that Albert Broccoli met Lazenby three years before making this film at the barber's. It’s too bad he caught his eye, and it's a shame that no one noticed that this guy might have the skills to play a mannequin and an advertising actor, but he's desperately not suitable for a big film. On Her Majesty's Secret Service could have been one of the best Bond films – it has strength, momentum, tension, a touching and rough finish, but it doesn't have the main thing. A hero. Truly a pity... ___ Bond Song: John Barry: “On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (25/11/2004)