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Christoph Waltz as Blofeld - Hit or miss?

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Comments

  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,468
    I think the issue with Blofeld in general goes way back to Donald Pleasence. I’m not trying to take away anything from Pleasence, nor his portrayal of the character. I’m sure it was very effective for 1967, but when going through the films in order, to go from the Black Haired, Suit Wearing, Smoothe Voiced menace of both From Russia With Love/Thunderball to the character in You Only Live Twice is a bit of a let down in my opinion. Telly Savalas is the only actor who came close to matching that menace found in the original, unseen Blofeld. Gray undeniably went camp, Max Von Sydow (who on paper is the perfect choice for Blofeld), is ultimately wasted, and Waltz was just boring in the role, though to be fair, I found Waltz to be much better in NTTD.
  • AnotherZorinStoogeAnotherZorinStooge Bramhall (Irish)
    Posts: 75
    Miss.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,562
    I have few complaints about Waltz. He worked with the material he was given. I do wonder, though, what it would have looked like if another Telly had played the part in SP. (Savalas is my favourite Blofeld.)
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,691
    The script did him no favours.

    The introduction in Italy was well handled and executed. The desert meeting was ham fisted in terms of dialogue. He lost all menace and became some perverted villain who has a hard on for James because his father loved him more? Very melodramatic and soap opera-ish.

    The scene at the Mi6 building was interesting but nothing to really act to.

    I would have liked a slower burn here. Set him up in Italy like they did, have another main baddie for SP and bring him back for NTTD as the main villain. It would make James's death a bit more emotionally investing. His fascination with Bond's daughter and Swann would also be better understood since he foiled their plans previously.

    I never understood Saffin's character after he takes revenge on Blofeld so removing him as the villain I think improves NTTD too.
  • AnotherZorinStoogeAnotherZorinStooge Bramhall (Irish)
    Posts: 75
    Beat Craig era villain was probably Mr White. Best performance was Bardem, but his character was terrible.

    Waltz is stymied in the role. Not at all well written. They're going for Landmark Actor a la Javier but it crashes.

    Telly Savalas was my favourite Blofeld.

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