On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Overall Ranking- 3rd
An abundance of beautiful women, an exciting bobsled chase and Bond’s marriage (albeit short) to Tracy make this one of my favorite Bond films. In addition, I feel George Lazenby was one of the best actors to portray Bond, and that he was quite underrated by the public.
It may seem odd that my top three Bond films do not have Sean Connery present in them. Perhaps that is just my desire to not always go with the flow, but rather form my own opinions without outside influence. Connery’s best film, From Russia with Love, is in a close fourth place overall.
What I liked about this Bond film is that Bond seemed more willing to get into the meat of the fights. It was not so much Connery throwing a few punches and looking good at it. Lazenby seemed to really be angry at the men he fought, and seemed less interested in how suave he looked as he did it.
Bond’s marriage in this film is also a very significant event. The subsequent tragedy is one of the most moving scenes found in the film franchise.
As mentioned above, the bobsled chase in which Bond pursues Blofeld on a dangerous bobsled run is one of my favorite Bond action scenes out of all the films.
My only complaint with this particular Bond film would be the somewhat slow middle section. But, the exciting first and final parts of the film more than make up for a rather dull (and kilt-filled) middle section.
For those who have not given Lazenby a chance, I recommend you do so.