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Diamonds are Forever | Year: 1971 Classification: Action Directed: - Guy Hamilton Actors/Actresses: - Sean Connery as James Bond - Jill St John as Tiffany Case - Charles Gray as Ernst Stavro Blofeld - Lana Wood as Plenty O'Toole - Jimmy Dean as Willard Whyte - Bruce Cabot as Albert Saxby - Norman Burton as Felix Leiter - Joseph Furst as Dr Metz - Bruce Glover as Mr Wint - Putter Smith as Mr Kidd - Laurence Naismith as Donald Munger - David Bauer as Morton Slumber - Bernard Lee as M - Desmond Llewelyn as Q - Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny Connery's 007 Deserved Better After rejecting "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" in 1969, Sean Connery was enticed by United Artists to reprise James Bond for a $1 million salary plus two film projects of his choosing. It's a shame that "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971) turned out to be his weakest 007 effort. This time around, the Bond producers deliver less than their usual value for money -- cutting corners to compensate for Connery's salary and a tighter shooting schedule. How else can one explain the lame climax on Blofeld's oil rig, which was more elaborate in the original script (ending in a Bond-Blofeld chase). Had George Lazenby continued as Bond, with director Peter Hunt at the helm, one senses that "Diamonds Are Forever" might have been a stronger adventure -- with a more generous budget. Instead, Connery's return sets the stage for Roger Moore's tired reign, judging by the film's increasing emphasis on comedy. "Diamonds Are Forever" has its moments: an excellent pre-credits sequence; the memorable car chase through the Las Vegas strip; and Bond's confrontation with TWO Blofelds. Unfortunately, the film is a convoluted mess, with a few glaring production flaws (watch the moon-buggy chase) and a surprising disregard for continuity (such as the fate of Plenty O'Toole). Despite Connery's stylish performance, it lacks the excitement and polish of previous 007 efforts. One can be grateful that Connery decided to play Bond for a final time in "Never Say Never Again" (1983) -- a more satisfying farewell than "Diamonds Are Forever." Sean Connery----The best James Bond Diamonds are Forever is a very good Bond movie,(not the best,but lots of fun)with the best Bond of all Sean Connery back again.Even though he looks as though he aged a little since You Only Live Twice,it doesn't matter as he does a great job.The movie has got a great villain-Ernst Stavro Blofeld,(who Bond thought he had done away with in the pre-title sequence)this time played by Charles Gray.(he played Henderson in You Only Live Twice)Jill St.John plays beautiful Bond girl Tiffany Case,and Lana Wood as the beautiful Plenty O'Toole.The two henchmen,Mr.Wint and Mr.Kidd are absolutely hilarious.There is a great chase scene through the streets of Las Vegas,and plenty of action overall.The title song,sung by Shirley Bassey,is good,but not one of my favorites.Overall,while not the best Connery Bond movie,(to me it ranks behind From Russia With Love,Goldfinger,and Dr.No)it's very good,and lots of fun to watch. Not as bad as Moonraker Connery is the only saving grace to this film. The film has a rushed, cheap quality to it. The producers must have been so pleased to have Connery back one last time they forgot about minor stuff like exotic sets (Las Vegas coming on the heels of Japan and the Swiss Alps is a let-down), decent special effects, and a good editor--how did Plenty end up dead? what about the car on two wheels switching sides?--see the movie and you'll understand. Also, someone should have at least tried to get Telly Savalas back as Blofeld for some continuity. Blofeld is 007's Moriarty and while even Savalas didn't quite match the literary Blofeld, he at least had far more presence than Donald Pleasance or Charles Gray. Having Connery back one more time was good, but production values really took a hit in this one. Still, it wasn't as silly as Moonraker. Buy Diamonds Are Forever at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Diamonds Are Forever Search with the Priority Search Engine on Diamonds Are Forever This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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