When it comes to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, there may not be another James Bond film that is more divisive amongst fans. Tending to have people falling on either the love it or hate it side. . . there are good arguments to be made in both camps – yet that is not something to be settled here today.
No matter where you fall within this conversation, if you’re a Bond fan, the 2017 documentary Becoming Bond, written, directed and produced by Josh Greenbaum, is for you. As playful as any Bond film (and perhaps as implausible), George Lazenby (star of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – and the only actor to play 007 just once) narrates us through his fascinating life (including when Sean Connery decided to step away from the character. . . only to return once more after Lazenby decided not to put his John Hancock onto a seven film deal that included a one million dollar signing bonus – preferring freedom and a life over fame and fortune).
Brought to life with actors portraying the real people Lazenby reflects on, Josh Lawson plays him as a younger man. . . an Australian car mechanic (who then became a car salesman) turned globetrotting model who somehow bluffed his way into the most coveted role in the world – he had never even been on a film set before.
Told about the Bond auditions by an acquaintance of his named Maggie (played by Jane Seymour – great to see her in this quasi-Bond role), soon he is meeting with producer Harry Saltzman (a pitch perfect Jeff Garlin), his cocky confidence, impressive stature and rugged good looks (as well as a dash of good fortune) completely winning over the casting director, powerhouse producer. . . and basically anyone else who would come his way.
Though in many ways this is a very comical tale, there is also heart to it. Lazenby, judging from the documentary, was quite the ladies’ man. . . though that lifestyle also impacted his world in a most profound way. . . the love of his life, Belinda (Kassandra Clementi), not willing to deal with his cheating and almost vagabond model ways, left him. . . tears still come to the man’s eyes all these years later at missing his chance at true love.
Also, it is engrossing listening to Lazenby discuss the burden of being Bond. . . the love and adulation not truly for him, but for the idea of him – the character he portrayed. Attempting to make a divide between the two, Saltzman was furious when Lazenby grew a beard after filming. . . just in time for press junkets to promote the movie. Cancelling his American tour, the man paid for the trip out of his own pocket, going on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (Dana Carvey) and showing his blunt boldness in creating this very big distinction. His brazen decision to leave the franchise leading him to become a bizarre punchline in the annals of film history.
With a story so unbelievable that you couldn’t make it up, Becoming Bond is a fascinating peak behind the curtain. . . an intimate yet somehow over the top vision of life in 1969 if you were the guy playing James Bond. Narrated with gusto by Lazenby himself, his shoot from the hip attitude and no holds barred approach provides viewers with a newly found picture that is worth well over a thousand words. . . after seeing this, you might be able to believe that he could have carried off that seven picture deal. Broken into thirteen chapters, each title will be a Bond fanatic’s dream – puntastic 007 references such as: You Only Live Once. . . The Road To Pussy Galore, Single Oh Seven. . . Shaken Not Deterred. . . Decisions Are Forever (you get the idea). So, bond a little bit with George Lazenby, this documentary might just make you a bit shaken and stirred.