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BECOMING BOND - new documentary feature on the other other fellow, George Lazenby

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  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,270
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I think George has been able to realize that arrogance and acting like Mr. Celebrity can often harm you, lessons he learned through the biggest character in modern cinema. I really respect him, and through watching a lot of videos since 1969 that've detailed how he's faced his demons at different points in time, he's truly grown to be a very self-aware man who is simply happy for the opportunities he's had. It's easy to see him as a womanizer and nothing more if you read the set gossip of OHMSS, but once you go deeper and see him for who he really is and how he's changed, it's clear that many layers exist. He did not have it easy at all in 1969, with a lot of people gunning for him. But he took it all in stride, and happily embraces his short legacy as the character wherever he goes. There's a lot to be said for that, and how unwilling he is to have grudges.

    That's the quality that sticks out about George with me as well. He said in numerous interviews that he regrets walking away and turning down the 7 film deal, and he is also aware of how he acted on set as well. He's come to realize his errors and moves on. Most of it was the press looking for a story anyhow.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I think George has been able to realize that arrogance and acting like Mr. Celebrity can often harm you, lessons he learned through the biggest character in modern cinema. I really respect him, and through watching a lot of videos since 1969 that've detailed how he's faced his demons at different points in time, he's truly grown to be a very self-aware man who is simply happy for the opportunities he's had. It's easy to see him as a womanizer and nothing more if you read the set gossip of OHMSS, but once you go deeper and see him for who he really is and how he's changed, it's clear that many layers exist. He did not have it easy at all in 1969, with a lot of people gunning for him. But he took it all in stride, and happily embraces his short legacy as the character wherever he goes. There's a lot to be said for that, and how unwilling he is to have grudges.

    That's the quality that sticks out about George with me as well. He said in numerous interviews that he regrets walking away and turning down the 7 film deal, and he is also aware of how he acted on set as well. He's come to realize his errors and moves on. Most of it was the press looking for a story anyhow.

    Yes, the press were the worst. Best exemplified by the twisted garlic situation.
  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,270
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I think George has been able to realize that arrogance and acting like Mr. Celebrity can often harm you, lessons he learned through the biggest character in modern cinema. I really respect him, and through watching a lot of videos since 1969 that've detailed how he's faced his demons at different points in time, he's truly grown to be a very self-aware man who is simply happy for the opportunities he's had. It's easy to see him as a womanizer and nothing more if you read the set gossip of OHMSS, but once you go deeper and see him for who he really is and how he's changed, it's clear that many layers exist. He did not have it easy at all in 1969, with a lot of people gunning for him. But he took it all in stride, and happily embraces his short legacy as the character wherever he goes. There's a lot to be said for that, and how unwilling he is to have grudges.

    That's the quality that sticks out about George with me as well. He said in numerous interviews that he regrets walking away and turning down the 7 film deal, and he is also aware of how he acted on set as well. He's come to realize his errors and moves on. Most of it was the press looking for a story anyhow.

    Yes, the press were the worst. Best exemplified by the twisted garlic situation.

    That garlic story was the worst of the bunch. I own the book on the making of the film, and from my understanding, yes he was a little bit difficult, but all these stories about Lazenby being a nightmare, emerged after the film premiered, which at that point, Lazenby already decided not to return. Hollywood really did Blacklist him, the knives came out, and everybody attacked the guy for wanting to be free and not tied to Bond. Lazenby in retrospect should've done at least another film, then at that point make the decision or not, just a shame he didn't. He was a free spirited person, and it's hard to have that spirit when you're tied down to a multi picture deal.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I think George has been able to realize that arrogance and acting like Mr. Celebrity can often harm you, lessons he learned through the biggest character in modern cinema. I really respect him, and through watching a lot of videos since 1969 that've detailed how he's faced his demons at different points in time, he's truly grown to be a very self-aware man who is simply happy for the opportunities he's had. It's easy to see him as a womanizer and nothing more if you read the set gossip of OHMSS, but once you go deeper and see him for who he really is and how he's changed, it's clear that many layers exist. He did not have it easy at all in 1969, with a lot of people gunning for him. But he took it all in stride, and happily embraces his short legacy as the character wherever he goes. There's a lot to be said for that, and how unwilling he is to have grudges.

    That's the quality that sticks out about George with me as well. He said in numerous interviews that he regrets walking away and turning down the 7 film deal, and he is also aware of how he acted on set as well. He's come to realize his errors and moves on. Most of it was the press looking for a story anyhow.

    Yes, the press were the worst. Best exemplified by the twisted garlic situation.

    That garlic story was the worst of the bunch. I own the book on the making of the film, and from my understanding, yes he was a little bit difficult, but all these stories about Lazenby being a nightmare, emerged after the film premiered, which at that point, Lazenby already decided not to return. Hollywood really did Blacklist him, the knives came out, and everybody attacked the guy for wanting to be free and not tied to Bond. Lazenby in retrospect should've done at least another film, then at that point make the decision or not, just a shame he didn't. He was a free spirited person, and it's hard to have that spirit when you're tied down to a multi picture deal.

    There were a lot of culminating factors that put a target on George's back. There certainly was his rather harmless behavior on set, but he was also a counter-culture hippie type that was all love, not war, and that smacked wrong for Bond. And worst of all in the public's eye: he wasn't Sean Connery.
  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,270
    Agreed, also at the same time, there was a decline in audience as well. The box office after Thunderball began to decrease. However, that being said, I don't get why some people refer to this movie as being a flop. I'm pretty certain it was one of the most successful films of 1969.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    suavejmf wrote: »
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    suavejmf wrote: »
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    suavejmf wrote: »
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    Major_Boothroyd wrote: »
    They should do one on the making of the 67 Casino Royale - that would be a hell of a story with plenty of crazy characters!

    I agree, even Peter Sellers said making that movie would be a good movie in itself. Probably the most chaotic film production ever (aside from Apoclypse Now)

    Allegedly Sellers was a twat. His attitude was half the problem.

    That's how the story goes. Sellers rarely showed up to do his scenes, and when he did, he played it how he wanted to play it, which interfered with the whole spoof angle they were aiming for. He was constantly chasing around Britt Ekland, shot a blank from a gun directly into one of the actresses face, and most of all, the infamous fued with Orsen Welles. What didn't help the film was the lack of a coherent story, after all we're talking about a movie with 5 directors.

    Yes. That's what I meant. He also saw himself (apparently) as a serious Bond.....deluded. Neither the looks nor the acting ability.

    The looks yes, but then again, is isn't like Daniel Craig is a best looking out of the bunch. As far as acting territory, Sellers at this point in his career was looking to sort of change his image, and wanted to do more serious roles. That didn't happen here, as legend goes he was either fired or walked off set
    Ah yes. But Craig is a serious actor who oozes presence and charisma. On screen he is believably cool and wears a suit very well. Sellers is a comedy actor who wasn't cool at all.

    Exactly, Craig has the Sex Appeal, which is the most important thing when casting Bond. Sellers could've easily handled the one liners, but it's hard to see him be as cool a figure as Connerh, Brosnan, Craig, or any of the others. That's what always interested me too, Sellers in a serious version of James Bond. It would be fascinating to watch.

    It would be a car crash. I have no doubt Sellers comedic qualities are loved by many. But he isn't suave, cool, sexy or handsome by anyone's standards. I've never heard any females talk about him in that light ever like you would with say Cary Grant or Sean Connery. Sellers just doesn't have those qualities. Sellers as a serious Bond would be interesting......but an absolute miss cast car crash.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    Agreed, also at the same time, there was a decline in audience as well. The box office after Thunderball began to decrease. However, that being said, I don't get why some people refer to this movie as being a flop. I'm pretty certain it was one of the most successful films of 1969.

    As a film, yes, but as a Bond film (basically compared to Connery's) it wasn't up to the massive ticket sales, and that contrast made Cubby and co. course correct. Stupid, but I understand the worries.

    The OHMSS box office response is kind of like how some people actually think SP is a failure in comparison to SF for not getting a billion, even though it nearly got $900 million in just box office money alone, which is clearly an amazing performance. For some reason people don't look at a film's success on its own, and instead make a comparison of it with another movie.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    Depending on which list you use, OHMSS was either the sixth or eighth most
    Successful film of 1969.
  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    edited March 2017 Posts: 2,270
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    007ClassicBondFan wrote: »
    Agreed, also at the same time, there was a decline in audience as well. The box office after Thunderball began to decrease. However, that being said, I don't get why some people refer to this movie as being a flop. I'm pretty certain it was one of the most successful films of 1969.

    As a film, yes, but as a Bond film (basically compared to Connery's) it wasn't up to the massive ticket sales, and that contrast made Cubby and co. course correct. Stupid, but I understand the worries.

    The OHMSS box office response is kind of like how some people actually think SP is a failure in comparison to SF for not getting a billion, even though it nearly got $900 million in just box office money alone, which is clearly an amazing performance. For some reason people don't look at a film's success on its own, and instead make a comparison of it with another movie.

    I never thought of SP being a big failure at all. It certainly had a lot to compete with that year as well. But people are under the impression that because a film makes much more than another movie, does it make it better?
    Thunderpussy wrote: »
    Depending on which list you use, OHMSS was either the sixth or eighth most
    Successful film of 1969.

    See, not that bad really. So when people say this film was a flop, they're wrong
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    @007ClassicBondFan, I think for some, SP not crossing a billion was a fail. But clearly, SF was a one-off and it'll probably take people a while to realize that that result won't be the same every time a Bond film comes out.
  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,270
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    @007ClassicBondFan, I think for some, SP not crossing a billion was a fail. But clearly, SF was a one-off and it'll probably take people a while to realize that that result won't be the same every time a Bond film comes out.

    Having a Bond movie cross the billion dollar mark again would be great yeah, and it would also be great to have him as the top example of film franchising at its best (certainly is in some areas due to its Longetivity. I can't think of another film series that has lasted this long), but people need to get over the fact that in every film franchise there are highs and lows.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I think another Craig film could cross a billion if the public knew going in that it was his last and it was marketed as "One Last Mission" for a tagline or something of the sort.
  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,270
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I think another Craig film could cross a billion if the public knew going in that it was his last and it was marketed as "One Last Mission" for a tagline or something of the sort.

    Most likely, it also depends on the quality of the film as well, as poor word of mouth does have a tendency to hurt box office
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    I disagree, in fact I think a fifth Craig film would make under 850 million. Craig is popular, but this style of Bond is very much rooted in the 2000's post-911 cultural landscape. We're moving on from that now, and I think that Craig and his shtick is already beginning to seem dated. It's why I think that Moore should have left before AVTAK - not because he was too old, but because what he brought to the table was increasingly contrary to the direction the series needed to take.
  • timmertimmer
    Posts: 4,622
    I'm Ok with one more Craig film, even a Mendes Craig film, as that does seem where we're headed, so let's just get it done!
    But after that, please back to Bond basics. No more personal drama tedium.
    Cast the next young Sean or Laz and relaunch Bond in all his glory.
    As for Laz, I love the guy. He was awesome as Bond, and seems like a great guy in real life!
    I'll be checking this new film out at first opp!
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    Does the documentary cover Lazenby's post-Bond film career? I think that's a pretty interesting time in his life, too, with his trying to position himself as a star outside of 007. (He was of course offered to star in Game of Death with Bruce Lee...)
  • Red_SnowRed_Snow Australia
    Posts: 2,539
    'Becoming Bond' will be screening in May at the American Essentials Film Festival in Australia.
  • bondsumbondsum
    Posts: 3,333
    mattjoes wrote: »
    Does the documentary cover Lazenby's post-Bond film career? I think that's a pretty interesting time in his life, too, with his trying to position himself as a star outside of 007. (He was of course offered to star in Game of Death with Bruce Lee...)
    Not according to the reviews it doesn't. It simply focuses on his early years and being cast as Bond from what I've read. I guess to insert Bruce Lee wouldn't necessarily add that much more to his Bond story, apart from Lazenby being one of the last people to see Bruce alive. He never got to make a movie with him and they only met a couple of times, though Bruce Lee was willing to help kick-start Lazenby's movie career in Hong Kong by co-starring alongside him in Game of Death, it only sadly resulted in a few substandard Golden Harvest pictures afterwards.
  • stagstag In the thick of it!
    Posts: 1,053
    I guess many here will have already seen this, but just in case............

  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,264
    Thanks! hadn't seen it yet.
  • bondsumbondsum
    Posts: 3,333
    Great to watch again. @stag. It was his suggestion of inserting "pop music" instead of the "light music" as he so-called it, which caused the rift between himself and John Barry. Though I'm glad they didn't substitute pop music for background music as I love Barry's score and it would've dated the movie even more. But you have to admit, Lazenby was ahead of the curve with his suggestion - a lot of modern action movies, especially superhero movies, now have pop music playing behind their scenes.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,264
    Like he himself would do in AVTAK? Lazenby was just ahead of his time! ;-)
  • bondsumbondsum
    edited May 2017 Posts: 3,333
    CommanderRoss wrote: »
    Like he himself would do in AVTAK? Lazenby was just ahead of his time! ;-)
    Yes, the generic Beach Boys surfing song. Good shout, @CommanderRoss.

    On a side-note, I don't know whether this has been posted anywhere, but there's an excellent radio docu from James Bond Radio on The Making of OHMSS which answers a lot of questions that I've seen floating around about Timothy Dalton being considered for the role, a Lazenby DAF, would Connery have been better in an earlier alternative version, etc. It's a great interview with Charles Helfenstein, author of the excellent Making of OHMSS.


  • Red_SnowRed_Snow Australia
    Posts: 2,539
    'Becoming Bond' will screen at NewportFILM on Tuesday, 9th May, 2017.
  • ggl007ggl007 www.archivo007.com Spain, España
    edited May 2017 Posts: 2,541
    Wednesday 17th in LA with director, actor and George himself! And it's free!! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpRPwO6j47KRrKvQl1eigFLvEIxaQiwoWlCVLrMG7gzh60mw/viewform
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    Well, I enjoyed that. There were times when I laughed out loud. George had a pretty crazy life before Bond. I learned:

    Why George get down on a knee in the gunbarrel

    He had to do a course to learn how to do certain stuff that Bond would do

    About Belinda - never knew about her

    A seriously great documentary. Go watch it on Hulu now. All of you. Go.
  • fire_and_icefire_and_ice
    Posts: 6,432
    Anyone know where Becoming Bond can be streamed in the UK?
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    fire_and_ice wrote: »
    Anyone know where Becoming Bond can be streamed in the UK?

    Or elsewhere other than the U.S? This is a must see, and I hope it will be available for us who can't have a Hulu subscription.
  • fire_and_icefire_and_ice
    Posts: 6,432
    No unfortunately I have Amazon Instant Video, Sky TV and Netflix not on any of them can't find it to purchase on Dvd or Bluray either. Perhaps it will appear in UK at a later date
  • fire_and_icefire_and_ice
    Posts: 6,432
    Hulu apparently don't have international streaming rights so it's unavailable outside USA. Checked website they are pushing the channel with George front and center.
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