James Bond tempered by Humanity and Caring True Love, with Audience gasping ending. I first saw "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" upon it's first Cinematic release. After the previous James Bond Films, one was initially trepidatious. Thankfully, any doubts soon evaporated regarding the Films overall integrity. The occasions which irritated, were probably decided before Filming actually occurred.
The Title design and certain early lines breaking the fourth wall were somewhat disconcerting, possibly an attempt to secure Audience identification and secondly humour with line "This never happened to the other guy". But to this then twelve year-old teenager, it indicated the insecurity of a production team with apparent uncertain convictions regarding the films ability to achieve success purely on its inherent qualities and merits.
The ambience of the opening scenes, being unlike anything I had previously experienced in a James Bond Film, relieved any remaining trepidation. The Film was certainly different, obviously Cinematic, yet also conveying that particular emotional state of lonesome-ness. The necessary conviction in the effective communication of complex emotions and conditions, actually required both an untypical 'Bond Girl" and sensitive human "James Bond".
The action scenes were, as with previous James Bond Films, very effective. Though undoubtedly assisted by the appropriate ambience the, less incredulous, special effects were more believable. For once, the acceptable limits of the Audience's credibility was not being tested. Rather, it was the Audience's trust and faith in a more character based Film that was being tested.
Judging by the Audience's reaction, few people would have left the Cinema Theatre disappointed. We have all viewed at least one Film that has become Formative in our life, this was one.