UK (1971): Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

After the lamented George Lazenby was given a one-film fling at the role of James Bond (On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969), Sean Connery returned to the tux, gimmicks and catchphrases of Secret Agent 007 in Diamonds are Forever. Fragments of Ian Fleming's original 1954 novel remain, including the characters of the alluring Tiffany Case (Jill St. John, who wears the equivalent of a postage stamp throughout the film) and fey hit men Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd. The rest of Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz' script goes its own merry way, involving Bond in a scheme by the insidious Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Charles Gray) to force the world powers to disarm so that he can take over the globe. Folksinger Jimmy Dean shows up briefly as Willard Whyte, a Howard Hughes-like reclusive billionaire, while Lana Wood (Natalie's sister) is "human prop" Plenty O'Toole in a spectacular high-and-dizzy bit. Agreeing to make this picture only because the money was good, Sean Connery parted company with James Bond for keeps after this film -- "keeps," in this case, being until he once more answered the siren song of cold cash in 1982's Never Say Never Again. Guy Hamilton directs for Danjaq-EON/United Artists. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

 View the theatrical trailer for this film on YouTube.com.

· Sound 1971: Gordon K. McCallum, John Mitchell, Alfred J. Overton

1 nomination