Amazon.com: The film boasts the best of the Bond title songs (this one sung on a dreamy track by Nancy Sinatra), but the movie itself is one of the weaker ones of the Sean Connery phase of the 007 franchise. The story concerns an effort by the evil organization SPECTRE to start a world war, but the not-so-super villain behind the plot is the awfully civilized Donald Pleasence. The thin script is by Roald Dahl (shouldn't we have expected a better Bond nemesis from the creator of mad genius Willy Wonka?), and direction is by British veteran Lewis Gilbert (Alfie). But the movie can't hold a candle to Dr. No, From Russia with Love, or Goldfinger. --Tom Keogh
The weakest of the so called Blofeld trilogy... but still good reading. I have read (I am actually reading "The Man with the Golden Gun") the whole Ian Fleming works this summer, and a good decision it was... Perhaps 4,5 stars would be a better rating, but the Japanese plot idea (so much BEFORE Clancy or Crichton ever thought about it!) is a must read (always having in mind when the book was written -middle sixties-), the setting of Blofeld is probably the weakest in the trilogy... Hemingway meets E.A.Poe... I love the minus gadgets and more stamina balance, and the fact Bond REALLY is made from flesh&blood... at least on paper. I would recommend the experience of reading the books to anyone having enjoyed a film of the saga (or even not... still a better approach probably). The end is quite puzzling but the beginning of the last novel (the follow up) is really one of the best. I think in the end Fleming was running out of "baddies"... but James Bond, "M" and the rest become more and more human.
As usual recommended.
ADB
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE REMASTERED THE ONLY BAD THING ABOUT THE FILM IS THE RENTAL SPACE FOOTAGE THEY USED AT THE END OF THE PICTURE MAYBE THEY RAN OUT OF MONEY STILL A GREAT JOB OF RESTORING THE FILM CANT WAIT FOR IT TO BE ON BLU-RAY
This is the BEST BOND EVER! No doubt about it. This is the quintessiential Bond flick. Why? Because it delivers action packed excitement, torrid romance, a very exotic locale and perhaps the greatest Bond theme song ever. The movie pulls you in and you can't turn it off! For a 1960's film, the effects are really good and the Japanese actors (and actresses!) are believable and sexy. There's plenty of action, what with a great helicopter dogfight, high tech Bond weapons and Ninja warrors. My only criticism is that when the Soviet spacecraft is launched in space (later to be intercepted) they show a GEMINI space launch!!! UGGH! But this faux pas not outstanding, it is the only Bond film I recall when James has his cocktail STIRRED NOT SHAKEN! This is a blast. Excitement galore. SEE IT!
good I got the dvd faster than I expexted which is good, it just the box of dvd was broken, but thanks anyway
"Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond" XXXXX
It's difficult to believe that this movie is more than 40 years old (counting from the date of this review)!!
(Sir) Sean Connery made six EON (or "official") movies with him starring as James Bond. They were: (1) Dr. No (1962) (2) From Russia with Love (1963) (3) Goldfinger (1964) (4) Thunderball (1965) (5) You Only Live Twice (1967) and (6) Diamonds are Forever (1971).
As you can see from the above list, this movie is the fifth spy film of the British Bond series. As well, it is the fifth to star Connery as the fictional MI6 agent Commander James Bond (code number 007).
This movie is based on the 1964 novel of the same name as the movie by Ian Fleming (1908 to 1964).
Briefly, Bond is told to go to Japan after American and Russian spacecraft mysteriously disappear in orbit. With each nation blaming the other amidst the Cold War, Bond travels secretly (he's thought to be dead) to a remote Japanese island is find out who is behind these spacecraft disappearances and comes face to face with Ernst Blofeld (Donald Pleasence), known as "number one" since he is head of SPECTRE (SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge, and Extortion).
This movie reveals the appearance of Blofeld who was previously a partially unseen character.
The title song is sung by Nancy Sinatra.
Connery brings his characteristic savoir fare to the role. As well, there are beautiful Japanese Bond girls in this movie.
There are gadgets in this movie courtesy of Q. The main gadget is a Wallis WA-116 Series 1 gyroplane (similar to a helicopter but smaller) code named "Little Nellie." Bond tell us that, "She's a wonderful girl." You'll have to watch this movie to see why.
M and Miss Moneypenny also make an appearance.
This movie was filmed mainly in Japan and London, England.
Total box office for this movie was about one-hundred eleven million, six hundred thousand dollars. In today's dollars, that's about seven-hundred and twenty million, four hundred thousand.
For Bond enthusiasts, they will notice Charles Gray in a small part as a British contact living in Japan. He went on to play Blofeld in the next and last Bond movie starring Connery. Also Burt Kwouk has a bit part in this movie. He's the one that played "Kato" in the Pink Panther series starring Peter Sellers.
Personally, I don't understand why this movie gets such a bad rap. In my opinion, it showed considerable imagination, especially in the last half.
I only had two minor problems with this movie. First, Bond presumably unexpectedly encounters a locked safe. He just happens to have a safe cracking device on him to open it! (It's amazing it wasn't broken since he has a gruelling fight just before he encountered the safe.) Second, again unexpectedly, Bond has to climb down a very tall structure. Again, he just happens to have suction cups on him to aid him in this task!!
The DVD (the one released in May, 2007) is flawless in picture and sound quality. The picture has been digitally restored and I'm sure the picture is just as good (if not better!!) than when it was released over 40 years ago. As well, there is one extra in the form of an audio commentary.
Finally, here is some information to consider. This DVD is actually the first disc of the two-disc "Ultimate Edition." Bond fanatics might want to purchase this two-disc Ultimate Edition since the second disc has "the best collection of special features ever assembled for Bond." (Unfortunately, the Ultimate Edition is no longer available but it can be purchased second-hand).
In conclusion, this is the last serious James Bond movie starring Sean Connery. Because of this, this movie is a must-see!!
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