On Her Majesty's Secret Service, a fantastic and final return to the literary roots of Ian Fleming's James Bond. George Lazenby gives his first and last performance as James Bond, he does deviate from Sean Connery's precedent setting Bond performances. Lazenby brings a more ordinary Bond to On Her Majesty's Secret Service, someone who can be affected by women and can become obsessed with enemies. This film is the only one where the Bond's attitude toward Blofeld can be truly viewed as a personal obsession, instead of the strictly business approach he takes to almost all of the other villains. Bond is so single minded about Blofeld that he has spent the last two years since the end of You Only Live Twice trying to find him, and then after being told that the action is futile and should be aborted by M, Bond decides to quit.

It is good that Lazenby never returned to the role after On Her Majesty's Secret Service because the film was so unorthodox that Bond should look and act differently accordingly. Telly Savales' more active Blofeld makes him appear as more of a nemesis to Bond instead of the ominous mastermind who sends underlings into the field to perform tasks. After his first defeat at the hands ofJames Bond, Blofeld is forced to become a more physically impressive character and thus no longer just threat to 007 because of his mental strengths. Blofeld and Bond are in many ways mirror images, they both share the same passions of adventure and luxury, but are opposites in there legal status. The grandiose schemes of the once maniacally brilliant Ernst Starvo Blofeld are now dead, he no longer wants money, power, or anarchy. Now SPECTRE's number one man simply wants to retire with the title of count which he has become infatuated with. In many ways Blofeld has conceded defeat and wishes to forget his past, he chooses to accomplish this by receiving the prestigious title of Countde Bleauchamp. Now content to live and die in his secluded home of Piz Gloria Blofeld undertakes one last scheme to accomplish this. James Bond and Ernst Starvo Blofeld are such similar opposites that they both plan to marry the same woman(though one could argue that Blofeld would only do this as a final insult to the memory of his arch enemy).

Diana Rigg gives an unforgettable performance as Bond's wife. Contessa Teresa DiVicinco possess the mix of independence, intelligence and stubbornness that guarantees her the position of Bond's wife. The character is obviously a different Bond girl from the opening scene. Her necessity to have someone in her live yet ability to let them live that life freely makes her more appealing to Bond, who lives out of a suitcase and has relationships that last until the credits begin to roll. Marc Ange Draco is the honorable thief who's love of his daughter and surprising approval of a relationship with the secret service agent endears him to the audience. Draco is a capable, clever, and efficient leader which makes him believable as the reasonable executive of the Union Corse.

The supporting characters are all present at the wedding scene and give magnificent performances. M has what must have been an interesting conversation with crime boss/father of the bride Marc Ange Draco. Q finally expresses an emotion other than contempt and annoyance towards bond. And Moneypenny is understandably upset at Bond's marriage (throwing his hat to her was a great touch) On Her Majesty's Secret Service marks the best performances of Lois Maxwell and Bernard Lee's tenure in the series. The Score is one of John Barry's best, maybe even his best overall. The Piz Gloria set is amazing and much more effective than Blofeld's previous volcano lair. The snowy atmosphere molds to the moods of the film, stormy and cold during chase scenes and clear and calm when ever Tracy is present. James Bond is at his best in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.