The word on the street is that this is Christopher Nolan’s favorite movie of all time (or at the very least, in his top 5). I remember seeing parts of this but I’d never watched it all the way through. I’m glad to report that it’s great, and at least for me, one of the best of the classic Bond films. The ending is especially powerful.
I’m sad that George Lazenby didn’t play Bond a few more times because his Bond is perfect. He has excellent comedic timing (this film is a lot more playful and filled with puns than previous Bond entries) and a charisma that rivals Sean Connery.
You can definitely see where the ending sequence of Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010) came from. Talk about an homage. Fun to watch just for all the references you will see in Nolan’s films.
Telly Savalas is well-cast as the evil Blofeld with his bald head and fluffy white cat. Diana Rigg is the “Bond girl” here and has a more substantial and ultimately tragic part than I’d seen in most Bond films. A well thought-out female character. Recommended for any James Bond fans.