Movies

After Rewatching On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, I Need To Talk About How Important It Is To The James Bond Franchise

BBG News

In the realm of James Bond films, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” stands as a crucial foundation. George Lazenby’s solitary 007 performance in this 1969 production was initially met with disappointment upon its premiere, but it has since gained prominence over the years. This is why I couldn’t resist watching it at a real movie theater when my local independent cinema announced another re-run screening.

I was pleasantly surprised to watch director Peter Hunt’s blockbuster movie in a theater instead of at home for once. This time, though, my viewing sparked some thoughts: it seems that the sad ending of “OHMSS” has been subtly referenced by every actor who followed as James Bond. In one instance, I grew to appreciate my favorite Bond film even more, as it can be considered an unofficial sequel to this particular movie.

Let’s discuss the enduring impact of the events surrounding the “other character” from the James Bond series, which continues to be relevant today.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Started A Continuity Thread Through The Classic Bond Movies

If you’ve watched the entire James Bond series so many times that you could quote the opening scenes of several favorites without hesitation, it might seem like there aren’t any new surprises left. However, that wouldn’t be entirely accurate if you knew exactly where to find them.

Though it might appear otherwise at first glance, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” marks the beginning of a series of films that present a more cohesive narrative than we’re accustomed to in the earlier ones. To grasp this continuity, let’s pay our respects at the grave of the late Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo, who is also known as Tracy Bond, portrayed by Diana Rigg.

For Your Eyes Only Acknowledged Tracy’s Death, Long After It Was Seemingly Ignored

It seems as though great care was taken to erase Tracy’s death in the aftermath of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” and that change occurred swiftly. I won’t delve deeply into it here, but in “Diamonds Are Forever,” Sean Connery’s James Bond is depicted as fiercely battling Blofeld without any reference to his deceased wife. Even Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) makes a lighthearted comment about an engagement ring.

Instead of feeling the impact of this transition until the underappreciated “For Your Eyes Only,” which was released in 1981, we find Roger Moore delivering his most somber Bond performance. The movie begins with him paying respects at Tracy’s grave.

What comes next seems reminiscent of “Quantum of Solace,” as Moore’s 007 discovers that seeking vengeance doesn’t necessarily put an end to sorrow. Although he eliminates a villain resembling Blofeld, the rights issue surrounding SPECTRE prevents him from being definitively identified as such; however, he does learn this valuable lesson.

License To Kill Gave Timothy Dalton A Chance To Inject More Emotions Into 007

In the film “Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007”, Timothy Dalton explained his reason for accepting the role of James Bond initially. Interestingly, Dalton had previously declined the opportunity to play Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, feeling he was not yet ready for the part due to his youth.

In this video, Mr. Dalton’s dedication to sticking close to Ian Fleming’s original work as he interacted with Commander Bond is clearly evident.

In 1989’s “License to Kill,” it was fitting that a scene was included where Felix Leiter (David Hedison) briefly summarized the events of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” for his newlywed wife Della (Priscilla Barnes). Given Timothy Dalton’s portrayal of Bond as more monogamous, some believe this may have been influenced by the growing AIDS crisis in the ’80s. However, it is also possible that this film served as a source of inspiration for his character development.

The World Is Not Enough Is Basically The OHMSS Sequel We Never Got

As I reflect on the Pierce Brosnan James Bond films, it seems his entire tenure revolves around 007’s most profound heartache. In Goldeneye, Trevalyan (Sean Bean) sarcastically comments about the cries of women he couldn’t rescue, the sorrowful tale of Paris Carver (Teri Hatcher) resonates in Tomorrow Never Dies, and one might argue that Die Another Day offered Bond his most joyful resolution with Jinx (Halle Berry).

As a movie aficionado, I must say that the film which seems to pick up where the story left off, dealing with the raw emotions of loss and grief, is none other than “The World is Not Enough.” This sentiment is particularly evident in the character of Elektra King (played by Sophie Marceau), a wealthy businesswoman with a penchant for skiing and an affinity for our heroic Commander.

The twist in her heel turn is more profound when you understand that Brosnan’s third outing in the tuxedo used his deceased wife’s memory as a weapon, making us encounter a villain reminiscent of her to weaken his defenses. In many ways, this James Bond movie is similar to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, often overlooked despite deserving more recognition.

The Daniel Craig Run Of James Bond Owes A Huge Debt To OHMSS

Tracy Bond’s demise made the most significant impact before the gentle revamp of Casino Royale in 2006. However, this didn’t mean that the impact of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was entirely forgotten. Instead, I believe Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond represented a new phase in paying tribute to the essence of James Bond. Interestingly, it was Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green) who ultimately became the regret that haunted 007 for the remainder of his career.

Ever since that pivotal moment, loss became an integral part of my journey as a film enthusiast, shaping James Bond’s character for better or worse. Unfortunately, the tragic demise of M (Dame Judi Dench) in the 2012 blockbuster, Skyfall, marked a significant loss that deeply affected our beloved agent.

Just like the symbolic Algerian Love Knot once worn by Vesper, James Bond’s story came full circle in the emotional climax of No Time to Die, tying up loose ends in a heartrending finale. In a selfless act to save Madeleine Swan (Léa Seydoux) and their unborn daughter, Commander Bond finally laid his past traumas to rest – for the sake of safeguarding their future.

The analysis is derived from the transformation of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” from a film initially perceived as skippable, into a defining work for James Bond in the 21st century. I’ve long been fond of it, due to the fact that my father’s appreciation for this series was significantly boosted by watching it during its initial release, which left an impact on me as well.

After experiencing George Lazenby’s James Bond on the big screen, he has left a lasting impression on me. As the new producing team begins work on James Bond 26, directed by Denis Villeneuve, I sincerely hope they acknowledge and honor this foundational piece every now and then. Known as one of the most authentic adaptations of Ian Fleming’s work, it would be wise to revisit it if you want to capture that classic 007 enchantment in its purest form.

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2025-07-21 23:09

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