Let the debate beginMay 17, 2017

The new documentary "Becoming Bond" would put Bond fans into another debate. Was "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" the best Bond film ever made? Should George Lazenby played James Bond twice (or thrice)?

"On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was the sixth 007 film, where the reception was mixed after the initial release (in 1969). Producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman thought it would be better for the celluloid version to be close to Ian Fleming's novel. (If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, then it would mean a tragic ending. It was real espionage.) James Bond's mission involved Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the leader of the private criminal organization, SPECTRE. It was pure chance that Bond encountered Tracy Draco, who was in the suicidal mood (after finding out that she couldn't pay her gambling debt). It turned out that she was a headstrong, resourceful lady. Bond fell in love with her, thinking that he could live a normal life. And the most exciting part of the book happened next.

Tracy happened to be in Switzerland, supposedly on a holiday, while Bond infiltrated Blofeld's lair. A small group of British women was housed in his headquarters, hypnotized by the man himself. (He planned to use them to sabotage Great Britain's agriculture, which was responsible for the country's post-World War II revival.) Agent 007 was lucky to get out of it, alive and in one piece, and he could have thanked his lucky stars for accidentally meeting Tracy. If not for her, then Blofeld's men would have caught him (and killed him). Blofeld was patient and observant to set up his plan to get back at Bond, though.

Sean Connery, the first actor to play James Bond, would be right for this part. At this point, the Scottish actor was no longer interested in the character that turned him into a star. (And Bond was contemplating about a life far from danger.) It happened that Lazenby, a native of Canberra, wasn't keen on playing Bond again.

"It's a tiny opportunity missed but I'm glad it happened when it did," he said.

Lazenby embraced the hippie spirit, which should have made him the last pick to play 007. However, Broccoli and Saltzman saw an old-school chap. He was also a skirt chaser. And he wasn't in it for the money. The verdict on "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" gradually changed through the decades, and it could be attributed to three reasons. The film's serious tone, which Ian Fleming would smile in approval. Diana Rigg, who was perfect as Tracy Draco. And Telly Savalas as Blofeld. There won't be a mixed reaction on the last one, as Savalas made this villain his own. (Mike Myers couldn't say the same thing, but his Austin Powers was a campy nod to 007.)

Lazenby's career seemed done after his turning down of playing 007 again, but the actor, now 76 years of age, didn't regret what could be a life-turning decision.

"I've learnt that if you tell the truth, it's funnier than fiction."

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