"The things I do for England!"It's 1966 and the height of the US Space Race coverage is dominating the news. Sean Connery is about to return in what will be his fifth and almost final 007 adventure, You Only Live Twice. Producers Broccoli and Saltzman have been wanting to film Fleming's On Her Majesty's Secret Service ever since Goldfinger in 1964; it was even promised as the next film in the end credits of the film. Due to the need for winter locations and the desire to film Thunderball instead, the plan was scrapped. Broccoli and Saltzman are next intrigued by one of Fleming's final Bond novels, first published in 1964, that begins with the haiku poem:
You Only Live Twice,
Once When You Are Born
And Twice When You Look Death In The Face
Fleming was uncommonly fascinated in death for this particular novel and it proved to be one of the most challenging films to produce in Bond history.
The death of James Bond?
The positive points to make about the mixed bag of Bond number five include the hiring of director Lewis Gilbert to bring the story to the screen. Gilbert had just finished working with Michael Caine on the successful 1966 Brit flick Alfie and he would bring a good natured feel to the Bond crew through the long process of adapting one of Fleming's most depressing Bond adventures. The other big thing this film has on its side is the genius production designer Ken Adam who was responsible for designing the mammoth volcano set on the Pinewood stage. The set itself reportedly used more steel in its entire construction than was used to build the Hilton Hotel! The set is still inspiring more than 40 years later and proves to be the most spectacular moment in an otherwise run of the mill, formulaic Bond outing.
With Bond reaching fever pitch with Goldfinger and Thunderball, the two previous films in the series, by the time of release of You Only Live Twice it was acceptable to audiences simply to see a gadget here, a maniacal scheme there, and a massive set being blown up for good measure. Sadly, this would become the formula that many future Bond films would adopt; opting for extravagance over true espionage. Long gone are the gritty Dr No and From Russia With Love and where Bond had to rely on his wits and nerve to get out of trouble, now he just has Q and Little Nellie on stand by. That said, audiences would not have to wait long to see a more human side to Bond and a genuinely intriguing story in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Bond and Donald Plesance's Blofeld face off in the volcano
Let it be said that far from discrediting You Only Live Twice it is actually not the worst film in the series. There is some superb dialogue, often spouted from Connery as sardonic one liners that are presented surprisingly naturally. There is also Tetsuro Tamba's Tiger Tanaka, a character lifted straight from Fleming's pages, who becomes a great resource to Bond and one or two obligatory beautiful girls. Mie Hama and Akiko Wakabayashi were both very popular ladies in Japan prior to the film's release and whilst they don't come across as the most conventional Bond girls, by stereotype, they actually commit themselves well to their roles. Charles Gray performs much better here in his brief role as the ill fated Henderson than he does as Blofeld to Connery's Bond in Diamonds are Forever. John Barry's score is also beautiful for You Only Live Twice with oriental lilts and the gorgeous sound of Nancy Sinatra singing the title theme that still remains a favourite with fans and would even be riffed by Robbie Williams some 30 years down the line. Maurice Binder also creates a stunning title sequence for the film. Japan itself, fairly alien to Western civilizations in the sixties, is additionally a treat on the eyes under the cinematographic eye of Freddie Young.
As the film and the series as a whole advocates, Bond manages to return from the dead to live again and brighten our mundane lives with two hours of mindless entertainment. Leave your brains at the door and let your minds be filled with bald men (!), white cats, volcanoes and ninjas! Connery may look like he's had enough but for most fans 1967 was another golden year for 007. If it can inspire the creation of Mike Myers' Dr Evil and his "volcano layyyer!" then it's good enough for me!!
Once When You Are Born
And Twice When You Look Death In The Face
Fleming was uncommonly fascinated in death for this particular novel and it proved to be one of the most challenging films to produce in Bond history.
The death of James Bond?The positive points to make about the mixed bag of Bond number five include the hiring of director Lewis Gilbert to bring the story to the screen. Gilbert had just finished working with Michael Caine on the successful 1966 Brit flick Alfie and he would bring a good natured feel to the Bond crew through the long process of adapting one of Fleming's most depressing Bond adventures. The other big thing this film has on its side is the genius production designer Ken Adam who was responsible for designing the mammoth volcano set on the Pinewood stage. The set itself reportedly used more steel in its entire construction than was used to build the Hilton Hotel! The set is still inspiring more than 40 years later and proves to be the most spectacular moment in an otherwise run of the mill, formulaic Bond outing.
With Bond reaching fever pitch with Goldfinger and Thunderball, the two previous films in the series, by the time of release of You Only Live Twice it was acceptable to audiences simply to see a gadget here, a maniacal scheme there, and a massive set being blown up for good measure. Sadly, this would become the formula that many future Bond films would adopt; opting for extravagance over true espionage. Long gone are the gritty Dr No and From Russia With Love and where Bond had to rely on his wits and nerve to get out of trouble, now he just has Q and Little Nellie on stand by. That said, audiences would not have to wait long to see a more human side to Bond and a genuinely intriguing story in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Bond and Donald Plesance's Blofeld face off in the volcanoAs the film and the series as a whole advocates, Bond manages to return from the dead to live again and brighten our mundane lives with two hours of mindless entertainment. Leave your brains at the door and let your minds be filled with bald men (!), white cats, volcanoes and ninjas! Connery may look like he's had enough but for most fans 1967 was another golden year for 007. If it can inspire the creation of Mike Myers' Dr Evil and his "volcano layyyer!" then it's good enough for me!!
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