Connery's Return (1971)

 

Following the release of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", George Lazenby declined an offer to star in another Bond movie and the filmmakers are faced with a clean slate and United Artists were concerned that they were hurting the series and the decision was to give the series a change. One suggestion was to make a movie that would the tone and structure of "Goldfinger", the first Bond movie to achieve blockbuster status with Guy Hamilton returning to direct, however the 1970s being a time of social upheaval with many believing that Bond's British club land values are Pasay and believe that Bond should be more American with actors like Clint Eastwood and Adam West being considered to replace Lazenby but turned down the role because they felt that Bond should remain British, Michael Gambon also turned down the role, however John Gavin, known for his roles in films like "Pyscho" and "Spartacus" had signed to the role, however, UA was unhappy with this decision and decided to lure Sean Connery back to the role with the promise of a salary increase and two back-to-back films of his choice but only one being made "The Offence", also returning was Shirley Basset, who performed the song for "Goldfinger". Unlike previous instalments the film had a more campy lighter tone in the vein of the 1966 Batman TV series. In this movie Connery seems to be having more fun than he had with "You Only Live Twice", he may look a bit older, but he still has the same magic in the part as he did in FRWL and Golfinger, there is a lot to enjoy, Jill St. John is great, but turns into a bimbo at the end, Charles Gray was a weak Blofeld while Wint and Kidd are probably the best henchmen in the series, and I feel that Norman Burton wasn't right to play Felix Leiter, he just looks too old, they would have probably been best to bring back Rik Van Nutter or even cast David Hedison who would play the character next. Not the most well contracted Bond movie, Connery has a great fight with Joe Robinson in an elevator, Las Vegas, not a terribly glamorous place does not compare and Connery's salary must have cheapened the budget. For what it is, it's a fun watch on a rainy day. After filming, Connery vowed to never play the role again, so the producer were taked in finding the third actor to play James Bond in "Live and Let Die".

 The film seems to ignore the events OMHSS following the death of Tracy, but the film opens with Bond tracking down Blofeld in various parts of the world so we could assume that he is after Blofeld for the death of this wife. Absent was Irma Bunt, due to the death of actress Ilsa Steppett, so we can assume that Bond killed her off-screen or she just got away with murder, eventhough she was the one who killed Tracy. After the pre-title sequence, Bond is sent by M to find out who is smuggling diamonds without which are not re-appearing. He adopts another identity in the form of Peter Franks. He joins up with Tiffany Case, and acts as if he is smuggling the diamonds, but everyone is hungry for these diamonds. He also has to avoid Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, the dangerous couple who do not leave anyone in their way. The film mostly takes place in Las Vegas