On Her Majesty's Secret Service: Your 3 Favourite Scenes

I was meaning to make this thread when I rewatched the film last year. No end credits answers.

1. Escape From Piz Gloria
Excellently filmed ski chase. Tense, thrilling, brilliant, with the Bond flair that's been missing from most of Craig's action sequences. I'm completely in awe when I see the photography captured by a cameraman skiing backwards. It's a technical accomplishment on all counts. Barry succeeds in creating one of the best cues in any movie ever. And the action blossoms organically from the narrative. It's so fluid and the stakes are high. Perfection.

2. Night Market
Following on from the chase, this is a particular sequence that encapsulates the essence of James Bond to me: there's danger, local colour, culture, sex and humour. The backdrop is great, Tracy's reappearance is most welcome, Bond demonstrates a vulnerability which I've always liked and Irma Bunt showing a more villainous side (as opposed to a hostess).

3. Bond meets Draco
I've always really liked this scene. It's simply exposition, but it's deftly scripted and Ferzetti's performance makes it all seem so effortless.


That was tough. Honourable mentions would go to Bond proposing, Tracy's death, the car chase, and Bond throwing his hat to Moneypenny.

Somehow missed this, and re-found it on searching so we'll plunge in.

1. Escape from Piz Gloria

the music for one, the tension building -even Bond's one-liners about gift-wrapping and the guards shouting just as the music is about to kick off -"The Englander...!" The scene is made all the more thrilling hearing Vic Armstrong describe how he almost shot off the ledge (doubling as Bond when he crashes) and just about stopped by the safety line.

2. Barn scene

Transferring the scene from Zurich Airport, as in the novel, was natural considering the film couldn't quite copy the book exactly. From the plunging snowstorm, Bond's glance over at Tracy after he closes the errant hatch-door, the way Tracy is lit and then the scene itself. It could've been worse but somehow it pulls me in. Bond has fallen in love, in spite of who he is and the life he leads. Somehow it works. How it must have been to see this in 1969 and hear Bond say: "Will you marry me?"
The scene is capped off by the "It's not New Year" line which always tickles. Knowing what comes after for Tracy, and Bond, it seems quietly poignant.

3. End

Possibly the most devastating climax to a Bond film -if offset by the use of the theme- for a moment you could be mistaken in believing that yes, they'll sail off into the horizon happily and then you see the Merc snake down the road and will Bond to notice the bloody thing.
The book was extra-dramatic in having Bond's car crash off the road into a tree but even as it is, it simply is emotional and somehow hard to watch sometimes.
Imagine if this had been the start of a Hunt directed DAF and seguing into a title song...well, what might have been.

It was tricky because most scenes are notable in my book -Bond and M's scenes together, Bond and Moneypenny -the casino scene (from Bond arriving at the table to where Tracy walks off to her room, or even the two of them in the room), Bond and Draco, the bullfight scene ("I believe tears are something that should be shared between friends, or lovers"), Journey to Blofeld's lair, Ski Chase and Bond's rescue by Tracy...

Bond meeting Draco, escaping Piz Gloria, and the final minutes of the film (including the touching hat toss) - for the reasons already described.

Special mention to the safe-cracking scene, accompanied by that wonderfully tense music.

Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang wrote:

I was meaning to make this thread when I rewatched the film last year. No end credits answers.

1. Escape From Piz Gloria
Excellently filmed ski chase. Tense, thrilling, brilliant, with the Bond flair that's been missing from most of Craig's action sequences. I'm completely in awe when I see the photography captured by a cameraman skiing backwards. It's a technical accomplishment on all counts. Barry succeeds in creating one of the best cues in any movie ever. And the action blossoms organically from the narrative. It's so fluid and the stakes are high. Perfection.

2. Night Market
Following on from the chase, this is a particular sequence that encapsulates the essence of James Bond to me: there's danger, local colour, culture, sex and humour. The backdrop is great, Tracy's reappearance is most welcome, Bond demonstrates a vulnerability which I've always liked and Irma Bunt showing a more villainous side (as opposed to a hostess).

3. Bond meets Draco
I've always really liked this scene. It's simply exposition, but it's deftly scripted and Ferzetti's performance makes it all seem so effortless.


That was tough. Honourable mentions would go to Bond proposing, Tracy's death, the car chase, and Bond throwing his hat to Moneypenny.

Sticking with these upon my most recent viewing. Perhaps switching out the 3rd choice for Tracy's death, but I like having the excellent Ferzetti represented.

Hilly wrote:

Somehow missed this, and re-found it on searching so we'll plunge in.

1. Escape from Piz Gloria

the music for one, the tension building -even Bond's one-liners about gift-wrapping and the guards shouting just as the music is about to kick off -"The Englander...!" The scene is made all the more thrilling hearing Vic Armstrong describe how he almost shot off the ledge (doubling as Bond when he crashes) and just about stopped by the safety line.

2. Barn scene

Transferring the scene from Zurich Airport, as in the novel, was natural considering the film couldn't quite copy the book exactly. From the plunging snowstorm, Bond's glance over at Tracy after he closes the errant hatch-door, the way Tracy is lit and then the scene itself. It could've been worse but somehow it pulls me in. Bond has fallen in love, in spite of who he is and the life he leads. Somehow it works. How it must have been to see this in 1969 and hear Bond say: "Will you marry me?"
The scene is capped off by the "It's not New Year" line which always tickles. Knowing what comes after for Tracy, and Bond, it seems quietly poignant.

3. End

Possibly the most devastating climax to a Bond film -if offset by the use of the theme- for a moment you could be mistaken in believing that yes, they'll sail off into the horizon happily and then you see the Merc snake down the road and will Bond to notice the bloody thing.
The book was extra-dramatic in having Bond's car crash off the road into a tree but even as it is, it simply is emotional and somehow hard to watch sometimes.
Imagine if this had been the start of a Hunt directed DAF and seguing into a title song...well, what might have been.

It was tricky because most scenes are notable in my book -Bond and M's scenes together, Bond and Moneypenny -the casino scene (from Bond arriving at the table to where Tracy walks off to her room, or even the two of them in the room), Bond and Draco, the bullfight scene ("I believe tears are something that should be shared between friends, or lovers"), Journey to Blofeld's lair, Ski Chase and Bond's rescue by Tracy...

Hmm, well we'll see come my impending viewing. Owing to trouble around my home presently, I'm trying to get in a nice quiet spot to enjoy it. But I find myself it might stay the same.

Hope the trouble isn't too severe, Hilly.

Not necessarily. Just had some trouble with local little shits around the outside of the home. Sort of hard to concentrate on the magnificence of OHMSS had I tried. We'll be okay.

I was also partly seeing if I could get it on Blu-ray but we'll just use my Ultimate Edition copy.

Pestered by chavs, hey?

As I can't find an embarrassed emoticon, regrettably PK, yes.

Way of life.

I could list so very many...cheating some below

1. PTS. The best in the series and the distillation of Bond's soul onscreen. You get the entire opening of the novel nearly presented wordlessly and dramatically tightened in action plus a bit of back home showing their distaste in 007's listlessness. Stunning predawn photography mixed with day for night footage that uses a new version of Hunt's cutting style for the most energy in the series since the faster parts of TB. Barry outdoes himself with the score here setting up many of the themes to come. i even love the intrinsic camera dip from the back seat of the DBS as it dramatically shows Bond's recklessness at being compelled to save this girl. The fight itself is perhaps the most effective in the film and second arguably only to FRWL. Many shots from this sequence are frameable works of art.
The introduction is delayed and played out for suspense whilst giving us all the Bond hallmarks so we know we're not in the wrong territory. And then the final grace note of racy getting away with Bond only left with her slippers in a bitter Cinderella note. The gag line is bemusing, ironic, reassuring and flippant in the right way.
2. Gumbold's office: the best suspense scene in the series.
3. The ice rink.
4. Predawn Assault on Piz Gloria
5. The ending

Excellent choices, HGTB! I'm not sure I see Bond's recklessness in the camera work when mounted in the DBS, but more of a sense of urgency. Still, both interpretations stem from wanting to rescue the bird with a wing down.

Probably the most difficult film to choose 3 scenes from as this is my favourite film....but.....

1.PTS, a slow introduction to the new fella, a fabulous scene this as we get glimpses of our new hero and Bonds first meeting with his wife to be, great music from Barry here.

2. assault on Piz gloria....Great action scene this and my favourite from the pre Moore era, brilliantly shot and again supported by some great music

3. End... i have seen this film probably twenty times and the ending still chokes me up...nuff said

silverjoe wrote:

2. assault on Piz gloria....Great action scene this and my favourite from the pre Moore era, brilliantly shot and again supported by some great music

Interesting. I agree it's a great sequence so take my line of questioning as pure curiosity: why do you say the 'pre Moore era' and do you mean favourite scene in general or specifically an action scene?

Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang wrote:

silverjoe wrote:

2. assault on Piz gloria....Great action scene this and my favourite from the pre Moore era, brilliantly shot and again supported by some great music

Interesting. I agree it's a great sequence so take my line of questioning as pure curiosity: why do you say the 'pre Moore era' and do you mean favourite scene in general or specifically an action scene?

Because there have been much better action sequences since ...simples!

I disagree. Until John Glen came along (and with the car and ski chase in TSWLM) I find most of the 70s era action quite bland and lethargic, especially when compared to the electric and varied action scenes in the 60s, such as:

FRWL - Gypsy camp and boat chase.
GF - Car chase
TB - Junkanoo street chase, underwater battle
YOLT - Volcanic assault
OHMSS - Car chase, ski chases, aerial assault

Though I will say that the action sequences in FYEO are consistently thrilling, as is the PTS, the race to the circus and rail shootout in OP, but up until that point (except TSLWM as mentioned above) the 70s action scenes lack vitality.

Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang wrote:

I disagree. Until John Glen came along (and with the car and ski chase in TSWLM) I find most of the 70s era action quite bland and lethargic, especially when compared to the electric and varied action scenes in the 60s, such as:

FRWL - Gypsy camp and boat chase.
GF - Car chase
TB - Junkanoo street chase, underwater battle
YOLT - Volcanic assault
OHMSS - Car chase, ski chases, aerial assault

Though I will say that the action sequences in FYEO are consistently thrilling, as is the PTS, the race to the circus and rail shootout in OP, but up until that point (except TSLWM as mentioned above) the 70s action scenes lack vitality.

Mmm, think we may be at cross purposes here MKKBB , i diden't mention the 70s .Pre Moore era is everything leading up to 1973 so i'm saying that there have been many better action sequences since Live and let die (1973) to present.