MGM bids expected soon

Variety – The possible sale of MGM—one of Hollywood’s longest-running dramas—will come into focus in the next few weeks when the first bids are expected to be submitted.

The Lion, which put itself up for sale Nov. 13, has received several non-disclosure agreements back from potential bidders, a source close to the process indicated. It sent out over 20 NDAs last month out as a prelude to bidders seeing MGM’s internal books.

It’s not a given that MGM will be sold. The beleaguered studio has left open the door to continue operating as a standalone entity or forming some kind of strategic partnership if MGM’s 140 debtholders agree to do so, possibly through a prepackaged bankruptcy. The bondholders have agreed to hold off receiving interest payments until Jan. 31 in order to enable management to find out the actual value of the assets and whether it should proceed with a formal auction.

And in a sign underlining the uncertainty facing MGM, studio chief Mary Parent has retained powerful attorney David Boies, according to a rep for his firm Boies Schiller & Flexner. The rep refused to elaborate Monday and Parent—hired in March 2008 as chairman of the worldwide motion picture group—wasn’t available for comment.

MGM has released only one movie this year—a revamp of Fame that cumed just $22 million domestically—and has slotted Hot Tub Time Machine, The Zookeeper and Red Dawn next year and Cabin in the Woods in 2011. It’s a co-financer with Warner Bros. on the two Hobbit films, expected to begin production this summer in New Zealand with Guillermo Del Toro directing.

MGM’s assets—a 4,000-title library, the logo, the United Artists operations, rights to the James Bond and Pink Panther franchises and half-ownership in the upcoming Hobbit films—are expected to fetch somewhere between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Speculation has focused mostly on Time Warner Inc. as a likely bidder, since it has over than $9 billion in cash from the recent spinoff of its cable systems and would regain full control over The Hobbit. Time Warner also owns the pre-1985 MGM library through its 1996 buyout of Turner Broadcasting and made an eleventh-hour bid in 2004 for MGM but was topped by an investor group led by Sony.

News Corp., Lionsgate and Liberty Media have also emerged as possible bidders although it’s been reported recently that News Corp. may not bid due to concerns over restrictions in the non-disclosure agreement. Reps for Time Warner, News Corp. and Lionsgate have refused to comment.

MGM carries a debt load of $3.7 billion from the Sony buyout along with payments due next April on its $250 million revolving credit facility. Harry Sloan was replaced as MGM’s CEO in August summer by turnaround specialist Stephen Cooper.

MGM was taken private in 2005 by a consortium led by Sony, Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group and Comcast Corp. The group paid $2.85 billion and assumed $2 billion in debt as part of the purchase.

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Tomorrow Never Dies Game Walkthrough – Outpost, Russian Border (1)

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Mission 1: Outpost, Russian Border

Starting off this first mission, approach the guard in front of you and take him out. Detonate the two nearby barrels to reveal Med Kits to pick up. Turn around and fire at the other barrel and crate to collect an additonal Med Kit and ammo case.

Next, approach the chained fence and take out all of the patrolling guards (Sniper mode comes in handy here) beyond it—there is a nearby tree that you can use for cover. Once through, use the fuel container to the right as cover while you take out the sniper posted in the guardhouse just beyond it. After you do this, move inside the guardhouse and take out all the other enemies that approach the entrance. Once they are taken care of, pick up the sniper rifle and aim through the windows until you spot another enemy atop a nearby tower.

With that enemy out of the way, exit the guardhouse, but continue to use it as cover as you take out the patrolling guards near the tower. Proceed upwards towards the tower while eliminating any approaching guards you encounter along the way. Once they are all out of the way, grab the armor at the top of the tower and then proceed back down.

Move along until you approach a second guardhouse, using the trees for cover as you zoom in to take out the pair of guards stationed at it. Once inside it, use the sniper rifle to take out another enemy atop a nearby second tower. Exit the guardhouse (a crate close by holds a Med Kit if needed) and then move towards the tower. Fire at the barrel located in the gap of the chained fence and then proceed through (all the while watching out for approaching guards). Fire at the crate located by the tower to pick up a 007 life icon. Ascend the tower, grab the armor, and then head right back down. Take out any guards that have shown up and then move towards the tunnel/cave ahead past the chained fence. Eliminate the two guards inside.

Once through, veer towards the upwards slope to the left and use your sniper rifle to take out as many of the guards on the groundlevel as you can. Be sure to take out the guard posted at the tower as well. Once all of the enemies in this section are out of the way, fire at the various barrels to stock up on Med Kits and ammunition. Aim at the satellite dish with your Laser Desginator and press R1—Objective 1 completed.

After this, a helicopter will approach your position and begin to drop enemies. Fire at them continuously until the helicopter eventually leaves and then pick up a dropped security guard after you have taken them all out. Run towards the large gate and press CIRCLE at the console to the right of it thanks to your security card—you’ll automatically then proceed through. Objective 2 complete.

You spend this final section of the mission escaping on skis. Take out enemies if they become too bothersome, but you can generally get through this section fairly effortlessly. Objective 3 complete.

MISSION COMPLETE.

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James Bond Complete Collection DVD Set

A new edition of the James Bond Complete Collection DVD Set is now available to purchase at Amazon.co.uk.

22 discs in total, this set includes all of the official James Bond films up to and including Daniel Craig’s 2008 adventure Quantum of Solace.

The James Bond Complete Collection DVD Set retails for £119.99, although Amazon.co.uk currently has the title available at 27% off.

• Order the James Bond Complete Collection DVD Set from Amazon.co.uk

James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVDs
Complete CommanderBond.net Coverage

Latest news, front and back cover art, box cover art, worldwide release dates, menu and screen caps, new certificates, ordering details, special features, technical specs, special collections and more.

Be sure to keep checking the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest James Bond on Blu-ray/DVD news.

Tomorrow Never Dies (Video Game) – Characters

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Your CommanderBond.net guide to the 1999 James Bond video game Tomorrow Never Dies from Electronic Arts…

Characters

James Bond 007
British secret agent with a licence to kill.

Elliot Carver
A powerful media baron, is plotting to use his vast Carver Media Group Network resources in the hopes of triggering an international conflict between Great Britain and China. The main villain in Tomorrow Never Dies. He battles against 007 as the final boss in Mission 10: Ha Long Bay.

Wai Lin
A spy for the Chinese People’s External Security Force and James Bond’s ally. Players control Wai Lin for Mission 9: Market District, Saigon. She also must be rescued by 007 in Mission 10: Stealth Boat, Ha Long Bay.

Paris Carver
Wife of villain Elliot Carver and also a former acquaintance of James Bond. 007 first encounters her during a rendezvous in Mission 3: Carver Media, Hamburg. They meet again in Mission 5: Hotel Atlantic, Hamburg.

Mr. Stamper
Chief henchman of Elliot Carver and protege of Dr. Kaufman. James Bond must battle Mr. Stamper in Mission 10: Ha Long Bay before moving on to deal with Carver.

Henry Gupta
A techno-terrorist currently employed by Elliot Carver. James Bond must retrieve his briefcase as one of the mission objectives in Mission 4: Pressing Engagement.

Dr. Kaufman
Dr. Kaufman is a professor of forensic medicine and a professional marksman as well as an employee of villain Elliot Carver.

Isagura
A terrorist associate of Elliot Carver. He serves as the final boss James Bond must contend with in Mission 7: Ski Ridge, Hokkaido.

Q
MI6 Q Branch Quartermaster who provides James Bond with a BMW after they rendezvous in Mission 6: Convoy, Swiss Alps.

M
James Bond’s superior at MI6. 007 contacts him in Mission 10: Stealth Boat, Ha Long Bay to learn of the capture of ally Wai Lin.

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007 reunion of David Hedison and Priscilla Barnes at Anaheim Comic Con

Two fellow James Bond film stars are set to attend the Anaheim Comic Con in California this upcoming April 2010.

007 fans will be able to meet with David Hedison (who starred as Felix Leiter in both Live and Let Die and Licence to Kill) and Priscilla Barnes (Della Churchill Leiter in Licence to Kill) at the event alongside the numerous other film and television stars scheduled to attend.

The 2010 Anaheim Comic Con will be taking place between Friday, 16 April and Sunday, 18 April at the Anaheim Convention Center, located at 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, California, 92802.

A variety of advance order ticket specials are currently available, ranging between $25.00 and $150.00.

To purchase tickets or for further details, visit the official Anaheim Comic Con website.

As always, keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the latest details on all James Bond-related events from around the world.

Tomorrow Never Dies (Video Game) – Cheats

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Your CommanderBond.net guide to the 1999 James Bond video game Tomorrow Never Dies from Electronic Arts…

Cheats

For the following cheat codes, enter at the menu screen before beginning a mission. Press SELECT – SELECT – CIRCLE – CIRCLE – and the following buttons for each corresponding cheat code…

Unlock All Movies: L1 – L1 – L1 – L1 – L1 – L1 – L1

Unlock All Missions: L1 – L1 – CIRCLE – L1 – L1

For the following cheat codes, pause the game while playing a mission. At the pause menu, press SELECT – SELECT – CIRCLE – CIRCLE – and the following buttons for each corresponding cheat code…

Unlock Debug Mode: L2 – R2 – L2

Unlock 50 Med Kits and All Weapons for current Mission: L1 – L1 – R1 – R1

Unlock Camera Control: R2 – R2

Win Mission: SELECT – CIRCLE

Walk Through Walls: TRIANGLE – TRIANGLE – TRIANGLE – TRIANGLE

Freeze Objects: SELECT – SELECT – TRIANGLE – TRIANGLE

Remove Objects: SELECT – SELECT – SQUARE – SQUARE

Minimum Health: DOWN – DOWN – SELECT

Maximum Health: UP – UP – SELECT

See Through Walls: SELECT – SELECT – CIRCLE – CIRCLE

Remove On-screen Displays: LEFT – RIGHT – SELECT

Run Faster: SQUARE – SQUARE – CIRCLE – CIRCLE

Invincibility: TRIANGLE – SELECT

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Tomorrow Never Dies (Video Game) – Weapons, Gadgets & Items

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Your CommanderBond.net guide to the 1999 James Bond video game Tomorrow Never Dies from Electronic Arts…

Weapons

PK7
The PK7 is your standard issue firearm. It is reliable, efficient, and comes equipped with a silencer. The PK7 comes equipped with an unlimited ammo supply.

Sniper Rifle
The Sniper Rifle is a precision-shooting device. Though somewhat bulky, it can be used to take down enemies from a great distance with its high-powered scooping ability. The Sniper Rifle uses 10-round clips.

Assault Rifle
This loud, but effective, automatic weapon is a favorite of Carver’s henchmen. Use it in situations when you must face multiple enemies and stealth is not required. The Assault Rifle uses 30-round clips.

Auto 9mm
Similar to the assault rifle with one exception, the Auto 9mm is a handgun. The Auto 9mm uses 30-round clips.

SMG 45
The SMG 45 is a sub machine gun offering the fastest fire rate in your arsenal. It uses 30-round clips.

Gas Bombs
These chemical bombs create a small, poisonous cloud upon impact.

GL 40 Grenade Launcher
The GL 40 is a grenade launcher that disperses contact explosives. The GL 40 uses a 12-round ammo drum. It is a murder weapon that can kill bosses in one straight up hit.

Rocket Launcher
This high-powered, long range weapon fires explosive rockets. It is an excellent choice for clearing enemy turrets and road blocks.

Infrared Sniper Rifle
Similar to the standard Sniper Rifle, with the added benefit of an infrared scope. The range of this weapon is a bit shorter than the Sniper Rifle.

STK Mines
Also known as “sticky mines”, these explosive charges are launched from a gun and cling to a target. Once in place, use the STK Detonator to set off an explosion.

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Gadgets

Laser Designator
Use this compact unit to electronically paint a “hot spot” on a specified target and help air strike units hone in on the desired bombing location.

Cufflinks
These seemingly harmless items contain powerful explosives and can be used to produce a powerful shock wave large enough to shatter 1″ thick polycarbonate, bullet-proof glass.

Satellite Link Camera
Used primarily in reconnaissance missions, this handy gadget digitally relays images to an M.I.6 satellite. In the process, a global position for a target can also be established.

Fingerprint Scanner
In some instances, the fingerprint scanner can be used to open locked security
doors.

STK Mine Detonator
Used to detonate STK Mines. When the mine is in place, press SQUARE to set off
an explosion.

Med Kit
When used, a Med Kit partially replenishes your Health Meter.

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Items

Small Med Kit
Adds one Med Kit to your inventory.

Large Med Kit
Adds two Med Kits to your inventory.

Light Armor
Increases your damage resistance by 25%. Each hit you take reduces your armor by 10%.

Heavy Armor
Increases your damage resistance by 100%. Each hit you take reduces your armor by 10%.

Ammo Clip
Adds ammunition to a specific weapon.

Case of Ammo
Adds ammunition to every weapon you are holding.

007
Adds one life to your Continues Counter.

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Tomorrow Never Dies – Video Game Overview

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Mission Overview

The Most Complete Bond Experience

As suave secret agent 007, employ your cunning wit and high-tech gadgets to survive multiple levels of espionage based on exciting situations from the blockbuster film, including challenging shooting, driving, and skiing game modes. Your mission will be dangerous, but you can handle it. After all, you’re Bond… James Bond.

Welcome back, 007. Once again your unique services are required. We have learned that Elliot Carver, a powerful media baron, is plotting to use his vast resources in the hopes of triggering an international conflict between Great Britain and China. Using any means necessary, you must expose this plan and prevent World War III. We’re counting on you, Bond.

Cast

• James Bond – Pierce Brosnan (likeness)
• James Bond – Adam Blackwood (voice)

Features

• Perspective: Third-person
• Game Modes: Single player

• Multiple game modes! 3rd-person shooting, driving, and skiing
• Classic Bond weapons and gadgets—Cufflink Lasers, Infrared Cameras, and more!
• 10 missions and locations based on the movie
• Use a variety of combat techniques—Tuck-and-roll, dive-and-fire, and stealth attacks
• Follow the storyline with in-game cinematics and movie footage

Release Information

• Platforms: PlayStation
• Release Date (UK): 16 November 1999
• Release Date (US): 16 November 1999
• Retail Price (UK): £29.99
• Retail Price (US): $49.99
• Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA), MGM Interactive
• Developer: Black Ops Entertainment
• ESRB Rating: “T” Teen for: Animated Blood, Animated Violence and Suggestive Themes

Cover Artwork

Cover artwork for Tomorrow Never Dies features Pierce Brosnan as James Bond with the Walther P99.

Ordering Details

• Order Tomorrow Never Dies – Amazon.com
• Order Tomorrow Never Dies – Amazon.co.uk

Trivia & Notes

Tomorrow Never Dies was the first James Bond video game released by Electronic Arts (EA) after they acquired the licence to the 007 games.

While GoldenEye 007 was declared a massive success on the Nintendo 64 platform, due in part to its first-person perspective and multiplayer mode, Tomorrow Never Dies was met with mediocre critical praise and generally remains classified as one of the lesser James Bond video game titles.

A companion CD, Tomorrow Never Dies: The Original Score to the Video Game, was released alongside the game and featured much of composer Tommy Tallarico’s musical score. Also included was the song Letter to Paris featuring vocalist Elaine Paiva.

A trailer promoting the Tomorrow Never Dies video game was included with many of the James Bond films when they were released on DVD and VHS in late 1999 / early 2000.

A website was set up at www.tndgame.com in order to promote the Tomorrow Never Dies game.

Tomorrow Never Dies was later released as a PlayStation Greatest Hits title with an MSRP of $28.99.

A Tomorrow Never Dies official strategy guide was released by Prima Games and written by Joe Grant Bell.

Credits

Black Ops Entertainment:

• Director – Will Botti
• Producer – John Botti
• Lead Programmers – An Nguyen, Will Botti
• Lead Artist – Kris Kilayko
• Lead Animator – Jason Greenburg
• Programmers – Kelly McCarthy, Sean Chuu, Srini Lakshamanan
• Artists – Adam Bain, Christian de Leon, Garrett Nguyen, Tong Chen
• Animators – Brian Sanchez, Stephen Okasaki
• Music and Sound FX – Tommy Tallarico Studios, Inc.
• Sound Design and Editing – Joey Kuras
• Additional Composition – Howard Ulyate, Sonic Mayhem

Press Release

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., November 16, 1999 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world’s largest interactive entertainment software company, announces the release of Tomorrow Never Dies the highly-anticipated James Bond title for the PlayStation game console from MGM Interactive. Tomorrow Never Dies is a third-person action title that builds off the plot of the blockbuster movie bearing the same name, while adding new twists and turns through a series of unique gameplay features for a complete Bond experience. This PlayStation-only title marks the first time the James Bond franchise is available for the leading console system.

We are very excited to bring James Bond to the PlayStation, says Albert Penello, product manager at Electronic Arts. The franchise is a natural for the PlayStation platform given its compelling characters, action-packed sequences and ingenious gadgets. It is without a doubt that Tomorrow Never Dies delivers the most complete and exciting Bond experience to PlayStation gamers.

In the game, the player takes on the role of James Bond as he tries to thwart megalomaniac media mogul Elliot Carver. A wealthy media baron, Carver is attempting to start World War III by convincing the British and Chinese that they are making hostile advances towards each other. Through a series of missions and objectives, as well as help from recognizable movie characters, Bond steps into action to expose Carver s evil plan. Players will encounter several Artificial Intelligence (AI) characters from the movie including Paris, Q and Dr. Kaufman, as well as new AI enemy types that react to audible and visible cues. Gamers will also take on the role of Wai Lin, the sexy Chinese secret agent, in a more advanced level as well as seeing her assist Bond as an AI character in other missions.

Tomorrow Never Dies delivers a well-balanced Bond experience through its unique gameplay approach. The game offers three different game modes—on foot, driving and skiing—as well as a third-person perspective from which the player fully sees the fluid movement of the Bond character when executing moves and techniques. Such techniques include a 360-degree tuck and roll, dive and fire attacks and stealth moves. The game features a total of ten different mission levels, comprised of sub-levels that vary between the different game modes. Each of the levels are set in a variety of locations based on and/or inspired by the movie, including Military Outpost, Arms Bazaar, Carver Media Center, Hotel Atlantic, Ski Ridge and Stealth Boat in Ha Long Bay. In addition, players will see a series of in-game cinematic transitions, using real-time 3-D and footage from the film.

True to the Bond movie legacy, the game features more than a dozen fully interactive gadgets and weapons, including such Q-inspired masterpieces as cufflink lasers, sticky mine detonators, rocket launchers, satellite up-link cameras and laser painting missile targets. Special weapons effects include infrared goggles to see in the dark, zooming first-person sniper rifles for long distance targeting and a spy camera to take photos.

Tomorrow Never Dies for the PlayStation is co-published by Electronic Arts and developed by Black Ops Entertainment, pursuant to an agreement with Danjaq, LLC and Eon Productions Limited, the producer of 19 James Bond films including Tomorrow Never Dies. The game is single-player only and offers two levels of difficulty, Agent and 007, to help cater to gamers of all different types. In addition, Tomorrow Never Dies is Dual Shock compatible.

The games carries a T (Teen) ESRB rating and MSRP of US $49.99. More information on Tomorrow Never Dies can be found on the EA product web site at www.tndgame.com.

There will be a companion CD soundtrack, Tomorrow Never Dies: The Original Score to the Video Game, available later this month from Chapter III Records. The CD will consist of a total of 17 different Bond-themed electronica tracks, all of which are original Tommy Tallarico scores from the game. Tallarico is a game industry veteran best known for compiling video game soundtracks. The CD will be available for direct purchase via the product web site at www.bondmusic.com, followed by retail outlets starting on January 12, 2000.

MGM Interactive Inc., a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM), manages creative development and production of interactive products for a variety of multimedia platforms, as well as talent and developer relationships. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of entertainment product, including motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, licensed merchandise, a library of more than 4,100 theatrically released films, and a significant television library. For more information about MGM, visit MGM Online at http://www.mgm.com.

Danjaq, LLC is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced nineteen James Bond films since 1962. The Bond films are the most successful franchise in film history and include the recent successes, GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The next installment, The World is not Enough, will be released on November 19, 1999 in the United States.

Danjaq, LLC and its affiliate Eon Productions Limited, control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise. Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.2 billion for fiscal 1999. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under eight brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, Maxis, ORIGIN, Bullfrog Productions, Westwood Studios, Gonzo Games and Jane’s Combat Simulations. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.

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Pierce Brosnan's The Greatest gets 2010 theatrical release in US

Pierce Brosnan’s family drama The Greatest now has a theatrical release date set for early 2010 in the United States.

DVDTOWN reports that the film, which first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, will be distributed by Paladin. A late March initial debut is planned, with theatrical expansion to follow in early April.

Home video rights will be handled by National Entertainment Media (NEM).

‘We believe that Paladin and NEM, our innovative all media distribution team, will do a terrific job getting the film out to the widest possible audience,’ said writer/director Shana Feste. ‘I am thrilled that Mark Urman’s Paladin and NEM are releasing my first feature as they have demonstrated the sort of passion and commitment to the movie that makes a filmmaker feel in safe hands.’

The film features the former James Bond star alongside Susan Sarandon as two parents grieving over the death of their son.

The film served as the opening selection for the 17th annual Hamptons International Film Festival this past October.

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service celebrates 40 years (Part III)

Celebrating 40 Years Of
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

40 years ago this month James Bond returned to the silver screen in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as he had never been seen before—with Australian actor/model George Lazenby taking over the role of 007 after Sean Connery departed following the release of 1967’s You Only Live Twice. What resulted was a 140-minute long (the longest Bond film up until 2006’s Casino Royale) film involving 007 pursuing arch-nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the Swiss Alps, falling in love, getting married, and ultimately, being widowed.

This incredibly close adaptation of Ian Fleming’s original novel premiered on 18 December 1969 at the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square in London, UK while simultaneously opening in the US and various other worldwide countries the same day.

Filmed on a budget of $7 million, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service went on to gross $22.7 million in the US alone and overall $87 million worldwide. While this represented a drop at the box office compared to the three previous Eon-produced Bond films, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was still one of the highest grossing films worldwide for 1969.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the film, CommanderBond.net asked our discussion forum members to recall their first (or most memorable) time seeing On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. To share your own remembrance, simply register here (it’s free and only takes a minute) on the CBn Forums.

Remembering On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by… Turn

My first On Her Majesty’s Secret Service viewing came at age 7 at a double feature with Diamonds are Forever in in the summer of 1974. Batman was my big hero at the time and I didn’t want to miss that afternoon’s episode to see Bond, but it worked out I saw the episode and made it to the double feature.

I’d already seen Diamonds are Forever, which was the first Bond film I saw when it was brand new, so it was familiar fun, and I’d seen all the previous Connery films on rereleases and Live and Let Die on first run. I wasn’t prepared for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and didn’t even knew it existed. Who was this guy calling himself James Bond? I didn’t know him. And I was also wondering what the guy who played Kojak was doing there.

The ending blew me away. I just didn’t see it coming, although mind you I was all of 7 years old at the time. This not only wasn’t the familiar guys playing Bond, but it was just so different in how it was presented, not so much the invincible Bond I was used to. This guy got personally hurt after all the fun and games. The girl still ended up in his arms, although as a corpse. It was more adult than I was used to in a film at that time.

My uncle had all the novels and I was curious as to if Tracy suffered the same fate. I turned to the last page and there it was right down to the “We have all the time in the world” line. That made me eager to see it again, which wouldn’t be for another two years with the infamous ABC edit over two parts.

At the time, I didn’t remember On Her Majesty’s Secret Service well enough not to know this was not the same version I saw theatrically. The ending still haunted me. I kind of had goosebumps knowing it was coming up.

Unlike a lot of the other films, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service didn’t get regular replays such as a Thunderball or Diamonds are Forever would. Not just on ABC, but on premium channels like HBO.

Seeing Moonraker in 1979 started me on the path to being a Bond fanatic. On March 7, 1980, as a 13-year-old kid obsessed with Bond, I got to see the real On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in all its glory, or what passed for it back then, as ABC showed it in a 3-hour slot on it’s Friday Night Movie.

A few days before, my uncle who had the novels also had several Bond soundtracks and I gave On Her Majesty’s Secret Service a spin to refresh myself with its memory and was blown away by the title song. That built the excitement even more.

Although at that age I leaned toward the fantasy and gadgetry of the Bond world, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Another thing that helped was I was becoming an Avengers fan through Friday night viewings on the CBS Late Movie. A half-hour after On Her Majesty’s Secret Service ended that night I caught an episode. Four hours with Diana Rigg.

That night I became both an On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Avengers die-hard fan. Sadly, back at that time On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was considered the red-headed stepchild of the series and it was hard to find much enthusiasm or respect for it. I still managed to tape it off another ABC broadcast and would later buy several VHS versions of it.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is still in my top 3 Bond films and it has been great seeing its reputation rise since those early days. My brother became a huge fan and reads the novel every Christmas. He was watching the UE special features a couple weeks ago when I visited him.

Now if we can just get it on Blu-ray.

Sorry to ramble on, but when it comes to something like On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, I can do that enthusiastically. Happy Anniversary, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Remembering On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by… plankattack

During the mid-70s, many “older” Bond films were packaged as double-bills, playing both in London’s West End and in all provincial cinemas. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service did the round paired up with Diamonds are Forever and it was those two that I was taken to see, catching Sean Connery first and then Laz’s performance second.

I remember being struck by the “Never happened to the other fella” line and at the time couldn’t quite figure how to react. I was still young enough to want it all to make sense, and being no more than ten years of age, I wasn’t quite comfortable with such an apparent breaking of the fourth wall!

I wasn’t particularly bothered by Laz—he was James Bond and so that was that. I’d already seen Sir Rog and Sean Connery play the part, so why another actor doing it should be so unsettling was lost on me! I do remember the ending though – completely throwing me and leaving me a little upset. How could they do that to my hero?!

And since then it’s been one of my favourites and I will forever remain a huge On Her Majesty’s Secret Service fan and a staunch defender of Laz!

I also saw Thunderball on the big-screen as part of a triple-bill with For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy in the mid-80s in Leicester Square. I’m curious if anyone else of my generation remembers these double and triple-bills?

Remembering On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by… JimmyBond

I remember my first time seeing it. But this story goes back before I saw it.

My dad and I were renting the Connery films (he was introducing me to Bond, and what better way to do it than through the first… and best Bond). I knew of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service through a Cracked magazine… what I didnt know was that Connery was not Bond. I grabbed the tape from the shelf and looked at it. When I looked at the back I searched for Connery’s name but couldnt find it. My dad looked at the tape and said to me “I don’t think Connery’s in this one.” Well, with that I put the tape back on the shelf.

Flash forward some time (I can’t remember how much time, but it was enough time that we had moved from Kansas to Texas). Being the completist I was, I decided to brave it and rent the movie with a Bond I had never heard of. Watching the movie wasnt bad, though I couldnt completely buy him as Bond (a phenomenon I can’t quite understand, since I had no trouble accepting the other four guys as Bond).

Needless to say it took a few viewings before I started to warm up to the film. Than once I warmed up to the film it took even more viewings to warm up to The Laz, but I am now firmly a fan of his, and do wish he had done more.

Oh what could have been.

Remembering On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by… Mr. Blofeld

The first time I saw On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was on DVD; I had just become a big Bond fan after watching Casino Royale, but this sudden blaze had been dampened after I decided to watch, as my first sort-of “real” Bond film after Casino Royale, the one most people had acclaimed as “iconic”; i.e., You Only Live Twice. This did not go down well with the inexperienced Bond fan that I was, so I decided to give the series one more try, just to see if it could still be good after… that, and I settled upon On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as this try.

Well, let me tell you: I watched it… and those two hours whizzed by. The story, the music, the gorgeous locales; everything was fantastic. The entire cast seemed hell-bent upon giving life to their roles (unlike a certain Scotsman in the previous Bond film I had watched), and it worked.

Oh, and Lazenby? Well, there’s a reason why he’s my avatar; this film, this glorious film, and I truly believe that On Her Majesty’s Secret Service cemented my Bond fandom for years to come.

Thank you, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Remembering On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by… Mark_Hazard

I had read the Bond books and seen the Connery Bond films by the time On Her Majesty’s Secret Service appeared in 1969, I had then just turned 17.

My first sighting of George Lazenby was a little earlier in the famous Big Fry ads on (what was then) ATV television (now Central) and remember my mom saying the “he’d make a good Bond”.

Then came the newspaper cuttings which hailed the new Bond where the Daily Mirror (and others) teased us with pictures from the set whilst the new Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was being made.

With all this I was quite prepared for a new Bond when I went along to my local Odeon to see On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and was blown away by the film, not even giving a second thought that 007’s face and voice had changed, to me Lazenby seemed to perfectly fit the vacated shoulder holster with ease.

I can’t remember if I saw the film in December ’69 or held off until January ’70 but just before Christmas ’69 George announced that he was quitting the series – Sunday Mirror (23 Dec 1969): “New 007: I Quit”. I had enjoyed his potrayal that much after Connery, that I couldn’t see who could replace him, other than Sean Connery – I even had a bet with my cousin on Connery’s “retirement” from Bond after You Only Live Twice that he would be back again (I won that bet and later another bet after Diamonds are Forever that he would return yet again – admittedly I had to wait quite a few years to collect my winnings that time).

Remembering On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by… dogmanstar

I was in high school and the forecast called for a huge blizzard the next day–I had seen many, but not all, of the other Bond films, though I’d already read all of Fleming.

On errands with my mother, I asked her to stop at the local video store to pick something up–figuring we wouldn’t be in school the next day–in fact it had already started to snow. I browsed the shelf where the other Bonds were and quite unexpectedly found this George Lazenby Bond. I wasn’t too sure about him—I hadn’t read Benson’s Companion yet—so I wasn’t exactly sure, was this canonical? Who was this Lanzenby guy? But I knew Telly Savalas and Diana Rigg and rented it. I also rented a couple of other movies too–old time things like Arsenic and Old Lace or maybe The Big Sleep, though I don’t remember exactly.

Well, the next day–it was brutal cold and true to the forecast, there was a lot of snow on the ground. No school. Even going outside was kind of dangerous. So, around mid morning, I popped in this curiosity—I wasn’t sure of the chronology—after Connery, etc? And it was just about perfection! The opening action scene on the beach was so tough and breathtaking. Any concern about the film’s place in the series was assuaged by the title sequence. Lazenby was a tough, smart Bond who captured the book very well. And the look of the film. Finally, I could not believe the faithfulness with which they captured the end of the film.

The smallest of ironies wasn’t lost on me either—it helped that I was watching the blizzard scene in the middle of a blizzard! It has been a firm favorite in my Bond watching rotation ever since.

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