Becoming Bond

Rather charming, if unevenly paced, story of George Lazenby. Depicts him as an almost Forrest Gump character who just stumbles into meeting the Prime Minister of Australia, moving to London, becoming a top model, hanging out with the Beatles and Rolling Stones, then finally becoming Bond. George is obviously an unreliable narrator but so is the filmmaker. Who knows what was left on the cutting room floor, but George could have been asked more probing questions or other aspects of his life could have been added.

This bio does make it sound like George just totally retired from Hollywood after one movie, raised a family, and raced motorcycles. But we know that's not true. And we know there much be much more to the story of why he quit. Is George a dumb guy who just fell into fame due to good looks, confidence, and luck, or is he actually incredibly wise, zen, and uncomplicated? You're not sure after watching this. He definitely was a product of his time.

The first half is fun but slow. I don't blame George's story, just the way it's presented. Way too much time was spent on George's first love, who obviously still means a great deal to him but he treated her poorly. The guy who plays George is hilarious though he tends to disappear in the second half when we finally get to making Bond. Then many clips of the real young George are used instead of reenactments. Jane Seymour completely steals the show with just a few looks. The ending, post-Bond, is very abrupt and felt unfinished. Like the real Drunk History, this ends up being a fun, superficial story of a real event that perhaps makes you want to do more of your own research to get the true story.

I am 52 years old so I remember the old bond movies as a kid. I personally never liked Sean Connery's version and frankly my first clear memories is of Roger Moore as James Bond. George's version is one I barely remember but now after watching this hilarious documentary I want to watch Of Her Majesty's Secret Service with an open mind again.

The interviewer asks Lazenby early on in the film, if what he is saying is actually true. I was asking myself the same question, and when Lazenby answered yes, it sealed the deal on this Documentary. As it stands, it is the best comedy bio documentary life story I have ever seen. And quite frankly for all I know, it may be the only one. Really quite historical in a way, since I would think no one could have ever known why he quit after only one Bond film, until this Bio Documentary. What he said at the end really sealed it, which I wont spoil. What an amazing life trip for this man, which seems better than most, regardless of his turning down more Bond films. Its very funny and worth the watch.

You know the story: Australian male model living in England is selected to play James Bond after Connery quits. After making one movie, Australian himself walks away from Bond, leaving the door open for Connery's return.

What you probably don't know is who this George Lazenby was (and is) and why he turned his back on what could have been a career of a lifetime. Watch this movie and George himself will tell you. Accompanying and illustrating his tale are mostly-comedic reenactments that all in all make the story work.

It's the next best thing to sitting down with the man himself.

I was looking forward to watching this documentary as OHMSS is one of my favourite Bond films and I've read so many conflicting tales about why George quit the series on a high, etc.

George comes across very well and proves he's not afraid to show emotion on screen with a rather personal moment he shares with us regarding an early love of his. I've always considered him to be an excellent screen presence in OHMSS and, even almost 50 years on, he's still a very engaging screen presence. After listening and watching all his anecdotes spread through the reenactment scenes, I found myself wishing he'd continued the series and taken better advice. No spoilers, however.

I wasn't so satisfied with the reenactment and mostly found myself wishing that we could have just had George talking to the camera for the movies duration and left our imagination to picture the scenes. However, a plus point for Jane Seymour's brief part in these scenes. It's wonderful to see her on screen again in this. Memories of Solitaire in Live and Let die all came back when I twigged it was her. Additionally, I thought Clementi - apologies if I've spelt that wrong - was perfect for her part, as she's a stunning girl and came across extremely well in all her scenes. If George's real girlfriend of the time looked like her then it's obvious why he was so smitten.

As for the actor playing younger George, I'm not so convinced. He comes across as a competent enough actor but he looks nothing like the George of 1968 when he was filming OHMSS. That did put me off when they inter-spaced interview clips of the real George from the time and the actor reenacting them. Very distracting.

I do heartily recommend this documentary for anyone wanting to know the story but, no offense to George, I don't think he was telling us everything when you recall all the stories over the years.

Other insights make me question the details when, at the beginning of the film he states that illness in early childhood only left him with half a kidney, yet the trivia section on George states early on that at one point in his life he donated a kidney to a family member. Work that one out.

In conclusion: I enjoyed it a lot but most of that is just listening to George himself rather than the actors reenactment.