Rated: Parental Guidance
Staring: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti, Ilse Steppat
Director: Peter R. Hunt

Australian model George Lazenby took up the mantle of the world's most suave secret agent when Sean Connery retired as James Bond--prematurely, it turned out. Connery returned in Diamonds Are Forever before leaving the role to Roger Moore, and Lazenby's subsequent career fizzled, yet this one-hit wonder is responsible for one of the best Bond films. In On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 007 leaves the Service to privately pursue his SPECTRE nemesis Blofeld (played this time by Telly Savalas), whose latest master plan threatens the world's crops with agricultural sterilisation. Bond teams up with smooth international crime-lord Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) and falls in love with--and marries--his elegant daughter, Tracy (Diana Rigg). Bond monogamous? Not at first; after all he has Blofeld's harem to seduce. Lazenby hasn't the intensity of Connery but he has fun with his quips and even lampoons the Bond image in a playful pre-credits sequence. Rigg, fresh from playing sexy Emma Peel in The Avengers, matches 007 in every way. Former editor Peter Hunt makes a strong directorial debut, deftly handling the elaborate action sequences with a kinetic finesse and a dash of hu...
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 2006 double disc Ultimate Edition - An unusually emotionally charged Bond film, 2010-08-23
For superspy James Bond's sixth big screen outing, and the first not to star Sean Connery in the lead role, we were served up with a rather different style of film, which ranks up there with `From Russia With Love' as my favourite in the series.

There are several things that make this film stand out in the series. Firstly, for me, is the score. There are grand, stirring action themes full of sweeping horns and strings, but there is also a series of gentle romantic themes, the best of which is Louis Armstrong's contribution. Then there is the attitude of the film - there is still the emphasis on action and big set pieces, but there for the first time since Dr No some attempt is made to develop Bond's character, and show his compassionate side. There is also a slightly different attitude to women. Usually there as objects for Bond to fall into bed with, with little or no emotional attachment, for the first time we see him falling in love and behaving in a totally different manner.

George Lazenby acquits himself well as Bond. Many people have described him as wooden, but I just don't see it. In the final scene after Blofeld's devastating revenge he portrays Bond's grief and inability to cope to a tee. That scene always brings a lump to the throat. Telly Savalas does a grand job as Blofeld. Not quite as creepy as Donald Pleasance in the previous film, but with an air of ruthless evil and great intelligence. Finally I must mention Diana Rigg, who plays the most memorable Bond girl of all time. She is one of the few Bond girl's who is required to do more than hang around and look pretty. She shows the various aspects of Tracy's character and makes her a totally believable construct. And she looks pretty as well...

This ultimate edition really is the best version of the film I have owned. The picture has been lovingly restored and cleaned up, and looks amazing. Really, I am not just saying that. It looks superb. The sound has been similarly treated and there is an option to listen to it in 5.1 DTS surround, which is truly exceptional.

As well as the superb presentation of the film, there is also a host of extras, original trailers, informative audio commentaries and the such. These are exhaustive and some of them quite interesting. But these really a garnish for the main course, which is the film itself.

This is an excellent release, and does this classic film justice. This series of `Ultimate editions' really sets the standard for film releases. It really does not get any better.

Staring: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Roger Moore, Christopher Lee
Director: Guy Hamilton, Lewis Gilbert, Peter R. Hunt, Terence Young

Rated: Parental Guidance
Staring: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti, Ilse Steppat
Director: Peter R. Hunt

Australian model George Lazenby took up the mantle of the world's most suave secret agent when Sean Connery retired as James Bond--prematurely, it turned out. Connery returned in Diamonds Are Forever before leaving the role to Roger Moore, and Lazenby's subsequent career fizzled, yet this one-hit wonder is responsible for one of the best Bond films. In On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 007 leaves the Service to privately pursue his SPECTRE nemesis Blofeld (played this time by Telly Savalas), whose latest master plan threatens the world's crops with agricultural sterilisation. Bond teams up with smooth international crime-lord Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) and falls in love with--and marries--his elegant daughter, Tracy (Diana Rigg). Bond monogamous? Not at first; after all he has Blofeld's harem to seduce. Lazenby hasn't the intensity of Connery but he has fun with his quips and even lampoons the Bond image in a playful pre-credits sequence. Rigg, fresh from playing sexy Emma Peel in The Avengers, matches 007 in every way. Former editor Peter Hunt makes a strong directorial debut, deftly handling the elaborate action sequences with a kinetic finesse and a dash of hu...
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 2006 double disc Ultimate Edition - An unusually emotionally charged Bond film, 2010-08-23
For superspy James Bond's sixth big screen outing, and the first not to star Sean Connery in the lead role, we were served up with a rather different style of film, which ranks up there with `From Russia With Love' as my favourite in the series.

There are several things that make this film stand out in the series. Firstly, for me, is the score. There are grand, stirring action themes full of sweeping horns and strings, but there is also a series of gentle romantic themes, the best of which is Louis Armstrong's contribution. Then there is the attitude of the film - there is still the emphasis on action and big set pieces, but there for the first time since Dr No some attempt is made to develop Bond's character, and show his compassionate side. There is also a slightly different attitude to women. Usually there as objects for Bond to fall into bed with, with little or no emotional attachment, for the first time we see him falling in love and behaving in a totally different manner.

George Lazenby acquits himself well as Bond. Many people have described him as wooden, but I just don't see it. In the final scene after Blofeld's devastating revenge he portrays Bond's grief and inability to cope to a tee. That scene always brings a lump to the throat. Telly Savalas does a grand job as Blofeld. Not quite as creepy as Donald Pleasance in the previous film, but with an air of ruthless evil and great intelligence. Finally I must mention Diana Rigg, who plays the most memorable Bond girl of all time. She is one of the few Bond girl's who is required to do more than hang around and look pretty. She shows the various aspects of Tracy's character and makes her a totally believable construct. And she looks pretty as well...

This ultimate edition really is the best version of the film I have owned. The picture has been lovingly restored and cleaned up, and looks amazing. Really, I am not just saying that. It looks superb. The sound has been similarly treated and there is an option to listen to it in 5.1 DTS surround, which is truly exceptional.

As well as the superb presentation of the film, there is also a host of extras, original trailers, informative audio commentaries and the such. These are exhaustive and some of them quite interesting. But these really a garnish for the main course, which is the film itself.

This is an excellent release, and does this classic film justice. This series of `Ultimate editions' really sets the standard for film releases. It really does not get any better.

Rated: Parental Guidance
Staring: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti, Ilse Steppat
Director: Peter R. Hunt

Australian model George Lazenby took up the mantle of the world's most suave secret agent when Sean Connery retired as James Bond--prematurely, it turned out. Connery returned in Diamonds Are Forever before leaving the role to Roger Moore, and Lazenby's subsequent career fizzled, yet this one-hit wonder is responsible for one of the best Bond films. In On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 007 leaves the Service to privately pursue his SPECTRE nemesis Blofeld (played this time by Telly Savalas), whose latest master plan threatens the world's crops with agricultural sterilisation. Bond teams up with smooth international crime-lord Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) and falls in love with--and marries--his elegant daughter, Tracy (Diana Rigg). Bond monogamous? Not at first; after all he has Blofeld's harem to seduce. Lazenby hasn't the intensity of Connery but he has fun with his quips and even lampoons the Bond image in a playful pre-credits sequence. Rigg, fresh from playing sexy Emma Peel in The Avengers, matches 007 in every way. Former editor Peter Hunt makes a strong directorial debut, deftly handling the elaborate action sequences with a kinetic finesse and a dash of hu...
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 2006 double disc Ultimate Edition - An unusually emotionally charged Bond film, 2010-08-23
For superspy James Bond's sixth big screen outing, and the first not to star Sean Connery in the lead role, we were served up with a rather different style of film, which ranks up there with `From Russia With Love' as my favourite in the series.

There are several things that make this film stand out in the series. Firstly, for me, is the score. There are grand, stirring action themes full of sweeping horns and strings, but there is also a series of gentle romantic themes, the best of which is Louis Armstrong's contribution. Then there is the attitude of the film - there is still the emphasis on action and big set pieces, but there for the first time since Dr No some attempt is made to develop Bond's character, and show his compassionate side. There is also a slightly different attitude to women. Usually there as objects for Bond to fall into bed with, with little or no emotional attachment, for the first time we see him falling in love and behaving in a totally different manner.

George Lazenby acquits himself well as Bond. Many people have described him as wooden, but I just don't see it. In the final scene after Blofeld's devastating revenge he portrays Bond's grief and inability to cope to a tee. That scene always brings a lump to the throat. Telly Savalas does a grand job as Blofeld. Not quite as creepy as Donald Pleasance in the previous film, but with an air of ruthless evil and great intelligence. Finally I must mention Diana Rigg, who plays the most memorable Bond girl of all time. She is one of the few Bond girl's who is required to do more than hang around and look pretty. She shows the various aspects of Tracy's character and makes her a totally believable construct. And she looks pretty as well...

This ultimate edition really is the best version of the film I have owned. The picture has been lovingly restored and cleaned up, and looks amazing. Really, I am not just saying that. It looks superb. The sound has been similarly treated and there is an option to listen to it in 5.1 DTS surround, which is truly exceptional.

As well as the superb presentation of the film, there is also a host of extras, original trailers, informative audio commentaries and the such. These are exhaustive and some of them quite interesting. But these really a garnish for the main course, which is the film itself.

This is an excellent release, and does this classic film justice. This series of `Ultimate editions' really sets the standard for film releases. It really does not get any better.

Rated: Parental Guidance
Staring: Annabel Leventon, Thomas Ellice, Peter Blake, June Ellis, Roger Milner

Staring: Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Anjanette Comer, Sydney Chaplin, Tippi Hedren
Director: Charles Chaplin, George Englund, Hubert Cornfield, Richard Boone, Sidney J. Furie

"The Appaloosa (1966) ... Marlon Brando ... Best of the Series", 2009-08-03
Universal Pictures presents "THE APPALOOSA" (14 September 1966) (99 mins/Color) (Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- This is Brando at the top of his game and Saxon is matching stroke by stroke --- Very realistic and gritty, with a fine cast to match --- Saxon the bandit who stole the horse and Brando the horse owner (The Appaloosa) --- The scene and dialog between the two with closeups are worth the price of admission, in the same scene is the arm wrestling with scorpions waiting on the table with a deadly sting to the loser --- Right up to the final shoot out Saxon steals the film, very under-rated actor has his day in the sun.

Under the production staff of:
Sidney J. Furie - Director
Robert MacLeod - Novel
James Bridges - Screenwriter
Roland Kibbee - Screenwriter
Alan Miller - Producer
Frank Skinner - Original Music
Russell Metty - Cinematographer
Ted J. Kent - Film Editor

BIOS:
1. Marlon Brando
Date of Birth: 3 April 1924 - Omaha, Nebraska
Date of Death: 1 July 2004 - Los Angeles, California

2. John Saxon (aka: Carmine Orrico)
Date of Birth: 5 August 1935 - Brooklyn, New York
Date of Death: Still Living

3. Emilio Fernández
Date of Birth: 26 March 1903 - Hondo, Coahuila, Mexico
Date of Death: 6 August 1986 - Mexico City, Mexico

4. Rafael Campos
Date of Birth: 13 May 1936 - Santiago, Dominican Republic
Date of Death: 9 July 1985 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

the cast includes
Marlon Brando ... Matt Fletcher
Anjanette Comer ... Trini
John Saxon ... Chuy Medina
Emilio Fernández ... Lazaro (as Emilio Fernandez)
Alex Montoya ... Squint Eye
Miriam Colon ... Ana
Rafael Campos ... Paco
Frank Silvera ... Ramos
Larry D. Mann ... Priest

Check out my reviews for the "THE UGLY AMERICAN" (1963)--- "A COUNTESS FROM HONG KONG" (1967) --- "THE NIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING DAY (1969)"
also available separately on the Amazon Sites --- Best of the series of four is "THE APPALOOSA" (1966), hands down as this is the only way you can get this title.

Total Time: 422 min on DVD ~ Universal Pictures ~ (05/31/2005)

Staring: Angela Scoular, Ian McShane, John Garrie, Anne Stallybrass, Anthony Edwards

Rated: Parental Guidance
Staring: Leslie Phillips, Harry Secombe, James Robertson Justice, Angela Scoular, Irene Handl
Director: Ralph Thomas

They don't make them like this anymore., 2000-12-16
Smooth, suave, sophisticated - and that's just Leslie Phillips. This film is everything that used to be great about British cinema. Leslie Phillips plays the ladies' man to perfection and set a benchmark that nobody else has been able to match since. His brilliant tour de force shouldn't overshadow Harry Secombe's capable performance but Secombe is definitely second fiddle to the second most charismatic actor in history (Terry Thomas is still number one!).

Rated: Parental Guidance
Staring: Leslie Phillips, Harry Secombe, James Robertson Justice, Angela Scoular, Irene Handl
Director: Ralph Thomas

They don't make them like this anymore., 2000-12-16
Smooth, suave, sophisticated - and that's just Leslie Phillips. This film is everything that used to be great about British cinema. Leslie Phillips plays the ladies' man to perfection and set a benchmark that nobody else has been able to match since. His brilliant tour de force shouldn't overshadow Harry Secombe's capable performance but Secombe is definitely second fiddle to the second most charismatic actor in history (Terry Thomas is still number one!).

Staring: Judi Dench, Geoffrey Palmer, Moira Brooker, Philip Bretherton, Jenny Funnell
Director: Sydney Lotterby

As Time Goes B y: Complete Series 5., 2005-08-14
This is a lovely funny account of two peoples lives that have come together again.Judi Dench and Geffrey Palmers acting is brilliant and quite compulsive viewing.A must have for lovers of comedy romance.