Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Director(s)
Guy Hamilton
Writer(s)
Ian Fleming (novel)
Richard Maibaum (screenplay) and
Tom Mankiewicz (screenplay)
Producer(s)
Albert R. Broccoli producer
Harry Saltzman producer
Stanley Sopel associate producer
Cast
Sean Connery - James Bond , Jill St. John - Tiffany Case, Charles Gray - Ernst Stavro Blofeld , Lana Wood - Plenty O'Toole , Jimmy Dean - Willard Whyte, Bruce Cabot - Albert R. 'Bert' Saxby , Putter Smith - Mr. Kidd , Bruce Glover - Mr. Wint , Norman Burton - Felix Leiter , Joseph Fürst - Dr. Metz (as Joseph Furst) , Bernard Lee - M , Desmond Llewelyn – Q, Leonard Barr - Shady Tree , Lois Maxwell – Moneypenny, Margaret Lacey - Mrs. Whistler, Joe Robinson - Peter Franks, David de Keyser -Doctor , Laurence Naismith - Sir Donald Munger , David Bauer - Mr. Slumber , Tom Steele - W Technologies Gate Guard
Review by Noel Bailey
The franchise stops at this point, from here-on in Bonds are "cloned",
Well well, this one has really elicited some polarised opinion! Connery returned here for three principal reasons. Despite the box-office success of ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, Lazenby's post-production antics and monetary demands cost him a job. US actor John Gavin (mercifully) declined the role in this film and thirdly public demand and an offer he couldn't refuse (something to do with truck-loads of cash), induced Connery to slap on the old hairpiece once more! Looking visibly older, though not in any way detrimental to the role, Sean revels in what obviously (to him) was his swansong as 007. Almost a complete turnaround in style from his established mega-serious British Agent in his previous five outings, Bond is having FUN! Virtually a total send up of the entire franchise to date, Bond veritably dribbles double entendres unloading on the audience probably the rudest and funniest dialog of the series. Pick of the flick? "I'm Plenty O'Toole" to which Bond quips, "Named after your father are you?"
The plot is more or less made up as they went along and is just plain incidental to the Movie. Campy beyond belief, even to the extent of having a pair of confrontingly homosexual killers who bumble their way to annihilation at the film's conclusion. Most Bond purists choked on their martinis with the release of DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. The way to enjoy this one is to let it flow....don't compare it! Have no expectations and let Connery entertain you. One right out of the bag here. If you want it to fit a pre-conceived mould, you're in for a major disappointment. For God's sake how seriously could you take a Bond film starring singer Jimmy Dean, not to mention a couple of beefed up exquisitely proportioned female minders called Bambi and Thumper?
One of the Bonds that has improved with age AND multiple viewings. RIP James!
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