I tend to regard it as a late sixties psychedelic counterculture artefact rather than a James Bond film, and thoroughly enjoy it on that basis. It seems to me more like a recreation of an acid trip than anything with a linear plot.
It's best enjoyed with a beer and an open mind. If you like broad comedies, then it has some good parts - Bernard Cribbins as the taxi driver, David Niven, and Woody Allen are all a hoot. Just don't try watching it when you're in the mood for a Bond film.
I was pretty disgusted when CR was first released myself. How dare they do this to Fleming's first novel! However over the years I started to appreciate how great a time capsule of the 60's the film is and it's amazing how many actors they got to be in it.
There are scenes that still amuse me simply because they are so bizarre. Most of the film comes across as a Monte Python/SNL sketch directed by Mel Brooks that just goes on too long. It's what happens when you have that many directors and egotistical actors with their hands in the scripting pot. There was just no way that the studio could save any type of coherency from it so they just did the best they could in the editing room and hoped people would flock to it because of the marketing (the poster, lots of actors, the score and it's about James Bond).
In regards to the bagpipers scene in the third act, Peter Sellers became such a problem during the filming that the decision was made to fire him before he had finished all of his scenes. As a result, the end of the marching band torture scene was noticeably altered and Sellers' subsequent scenes were written out. In fact, Peter Sellers and Orson Welles hated each other so much that the filming of the scene where both of them face each other across a gaming table actually took place on different days with a double standing in for one the actors. Another strange fact is that Charles Feldman wanted Connery to be Bond but was unwilling to meet Connery's $1-million salary demand, so he decided to turn the film into a spoof, and cast David Niven. Later after the production costs skyrocketed, he told Connery it would have been cheaper to have accepted his salary.
A serious Connery CR would have been a nice companion to the official series.
The Torture Scene with Connery as Bond would have been brilliant -{
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
It's best enjoyed with a beer and an open mind. If you like broad comedies, then it has some good parts - Bernard Cribbins as the taxi driver, David Niven, and Woody Allen are all a hoot. Just don't try watching it when you're in the mood for a Bond film.
I was pretty disgusted when CR was first released myself. How dare they do this to Fleming's first novel! However over the years I started to appreciate how great a time capsule of the 60's the film is and it's amazing how many actors they got to be in it.
There are scenes that still amuse me simply because they are so bizarre. Most of the film comes across as a Monte Python/SNL sketch directed by Mel Brooks that just goes on too long. It's what happens when you have that many directors and egotistical actors with their hands in the scripting pot. There was just no way that the studio could save any type of coherency from it so they just did the best they could in the editing room and hoped people would flock to it because of the marketing (the poster, lots of actors, the score and it's about James Bond).
In regards to the bagpipers scene in the third act, Peter Sellers became such a problem during the filming that the decision was made to fire him before he had finished all of his scenes. As a result, the end of the marching band torture scene was noticeably altered and Sellers' subsequent scenes were written out. In fact, Peter Sellers and Orson Welles hated each other so much that the filming of the scene where both of them face each other across a gaming table actually took place on different days with a double standing in for one the actors. Another strange fact is that Charles Feldman wanted Connery to be Bond but was unwilling to meet Connery's $1-million salary demand, so he decided to turn the film into a spoof, and cast David Niven. Later after the production costs skyrocketed, he told Connery it would have been cheaper to have accepted his salary.
Ironically enough (from what I've heared) Feldman ended up paying 1$ for Peter Sellers (or Woody Allen?) instead. Which is so weird? Why would he pay them the money, and not call Connery's salary demand ?:)
Ironically enough (from what I've heared) Feldman ended up paying 1$ for Peter Sellers (or Woody Allen?) instead. Which is so weird? Why would he pay them the money, and not call Connery's salary demand ?:)
(just something I've heared)
I don't think money was the issue - Broccoli & Saltzman just refused to release Connery from his contract to do this movie...
Like any genuinely bad comedy film it was so hopelessly BORE-RING and left me feeling annoyed. Too much LSD, multiple unrelated scripts, too many awkward actors, and bloated budget caused a massive traincrash.
'Alright guard, begin the unnecessarily slow moving dipping mechanism...'
I think it's a case of many ideas have been thrown together, but don't work.
And apart from different scripts being stitched together and project nearly sunk altogether by a troubled actor stomping off in a huff, we had several directors struggle then give up in a row. And no discipline with the budget (with lots of money thrown at the SMERSH flying saucer and weird sets, etc).
'Alright guard, begin the unnecessarily slow moving dipping mechanism...'
Yeah, great cast chemistry can stem from clashing egos and mutual dislike, but there was no director patient and skilled enough to tell them both to shut the 'eff up and work.
And Orson Welles apparently being difficult to work with.
I got that impression as well and what was with the magic tricks?
'Alright guard, begin the unnecessarily slow moving dipping mechanism...'
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,690MI6 Agent
The question should be why would anyone want to waste their time trying to explain the plot of this monstrosity of a film when there are far more worthwhile things to be pondering re the James Bond phenomenon? ?:)
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
The question should be why would anyone want to waste their time trying to explain the plot of this monstrosity of a film when there are far more worthwhile things to be pondering re the James Bond phenomenon? ?:)
The question should be why would anyone want to waste their time trying to explain the plot of this monstrosity of a film when there are far more worthwhile things to be pondering re the James Bond phenomenon? ?:)
Whaaat?
What could be more worthwhile than unmasking the brilliant enigma of this underrated gem?
Comments
The Torture Scene with Connery as Bond would have been brilliant -{
Orson Welles is always worth watching
Er, that's it
I put it below Dad. Mind you its funnier then dad
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Ironically enough (from what I've heared) Feldman ended up paying 1$ for Peter Sellers (or Woody Allen?) instead. Which is so weird? Why would he pay them the money, and not call Connery's salary demand ?:)
(just something I've heared)
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I don't think money was the issue - Broccoli & Saltzman just refused to release Connery from his contract to do this movie...
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Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
And apart from different scripts being stitched together and project nearly sunk altogether by a troubled actor stomping off in a huff, we had several directors struggle then give up in a row. And no discipline with the budget (with lots of money thrown at the SMERSH flying saucer and weird sets, etc).
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
I got that impression as well and what was with the magic tricks?
Amen! {[]
Whaaat?
What could be more worthwhile than unmasking the brilliant enigma of this underrated gem?
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)