New Bond movie set for November 11 Australian release

By Tony Magee

James Bond actor George Lazenby was at the US premiere of “No Time to Die”, the 25th in the franchise series of James Bond movies.

It is also the last of five outings for Daniel Craig as Bond.

US Theatrical release poster. © 2021 Danjaq LLC. & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Taking to Twitter, Lazenby said he was unable to attend the London premiere on September 28, but was equally as honoured to be seeing it in Los Angeles on opening night, September 29. He added “there are some very interesting music choices in the soundtrack”.

On further investigation, that comment appears to be a veiled reference to the fact that the soundtrack occasionally recalls themes from the song “We Have All the Time in the World”, originally sung by Louis Armstrong in 1969’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, which starred Lazenby as Bond.

In addition, Daniel Craig as Bond utters the line “We have all the time in the world” during the new film, as he ponders a confession by one of his nemesis’.

The same line is also uttered by Lazenby in the 1969 film, right at the end, as he cradles his dying wife, played by Diana Rigg.

George Lazenby, Australia's 007, at the US premiere of 'No Time to Die' in Los Angeles, September 29

Reception to “No Time to Die” among critics has been overwhelmingly positive.

In his five star review of the film, Kevin Maher of The Times said: “It’s better than good. It’s magnificent. Craig is a towering, charismatic presence from opening frame to closing shot and he bows out in terrific, soulful, style.”

In another five star review, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said: “An epic brainstormer [which delivers] pathos, action, drama, camp comedy, heartbreak, macabre horror, and outrageously silly old-fashioned action”, concluding the film as a whole is “very enjoyable and gleefully spectacular”.

In a reference to the 18 month delay in the film’s release, due to COVID, Robbie Collin, writing for The Telegraph said “We’ve been expecting you, Mr Bond, for quite some time, and what a joy and relief it is to have you back”.

Mick LaSalle of the San Fransisco Chronicle stated that “Craig leaves the series in a mammoth, 163 minute extravaganza that audiences will be enjoying for decades. It’s a lovely thing to see”.

And finally, The Los Angeles Times’ Jessica Kiang optimistically stated, “If ‘No Time to Die’ marks a widespread return to the cinema, it will be nicely fitting that it’s Bond“.

Previous cast members who make a welcome return include Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, Geoffrey Wright as Felix Leiter, Christoph Waltz as Ernst Blofeld and Léa Seydoux as psychiatrist Madeleine Swann and Bond’s love interest.

Seydoux was quoted as saying after the London premiere: “There’s a lot of emotion in this Bond. It’s very moving. I bet you’re going to cry. When I watched it, I cried, which is weird because I am in it”.

Born in Goulburn and raised in Queanbeyan, George Lazenby moved to London in 1963, pursuing a career in modelling. In 1966 he was voted Britain’s “Top Model of the Year”.

Diana Rigg as Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (later, Tracy Bond) and Geogre Lazenby as James Bond,
publicity photo 1969. Photo credit: Comet Photo AG, ETH Bibliothek, Zürich

After his single outing as James Bond in 1969, he moved to Hong Kong, starring in three films for Golden Harvest: “Stoner” (1974), “The Man From Hong Kong” (1975) and “A Queen’s Ransom” (1976).

Lazenby moved to Los Angeles in 1978 and has resided in the United States ever since, with frequent trips back to Queanbeyan and Canberra over the years to visit his parents and friends, as well as participate in some Canberra “Bond themed” events. In 2016 he was the official guest of honour and Patron of Goulburn’s second SPYfest festival, celebrating everything spy-related - from cars to music and the latest technology.

He has gone on to secure roles in another 25 movies, including three this year (two are in post-production).

In 2017, the Hulu docudrama “Becoming Bond”, featured Lazenby recounting his life story and portrayal as Bond.

“No Time to Die” will be released in Australian cinemas on November 11.

Originally published in City News Digital Edition, October 2, 2021