Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Director:

Guy Hamilton

Writers:

Richard Maibaum (screenplay) and
Tom Mankiewicz (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 December 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

"Diamonds Are Forever"...forever...forever...forever...

Plot:

A diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas, where he uncovers an extortion plot headed by his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Plot Keywords:

Mafia | Bond Girl | Henchman | U Boat | Casino Owner

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Sean Connery	...	James Bond
Jill St. John	...	Tiffany Case
Charles Gray	...	Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Lana Wood	...	Plenty O'Toole
Jimmy Dean	...	Willard Whyte
Bruce Cabot	...	Albert R. 'Bert' Saxby
Putter Smith	...	Mr. Kidd
Bruce Glover	...	Mr. Wint
Norman Burton	...	Felix Leiter
Joseph Fürst	...	Dr. Metz (as Joseph Furst)
Bernard Lee	...	'M'
Desmond Llewelyn	...	'Q'
Leonard Barr	...	Shady Tree
Lois Maxwell	...	Moneypenny
Margaret Lacey	...	Mrs. Whistler

Also Known As:

Ian Fleming's Diamonds Are Forever (UK) (complete title) (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | West Germany:16 (nf) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:12 | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1971) | Peru:14 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG (re-rating) (1994) | UK:A (original rating) (cut)

Filming Locations:

3rd Floor, Reguliersgracht 36, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Danjaq

Trivia:

The home of Kirk Douglas was used for filming in the movie. His house was used for the scene when James Bond and Tiffany Case chat whilst Plenty O'Toole is dead in the swimming pool.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the opening scene, a string can be seen attached to the final knife that 007 throws at the guard.

Quotes:

[first lines]
James Bond: [tossing chinese man around] Where is he? I shan't ask you politely next time. Where is Blofeld?
Chinese Man: Ca-Ca-Cairo.

Movie Connections:

Spin off James Bond 007 (1983) (VG)

Soundtrack:

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

Connery Looks Fat and Old But Film Is Fun

Seventh Bond movie, and a very important film within the 007 phenomenon, since it represents Connery's farewell to the role that made him famous. It was directed by Guy Hamilton, which means that the tone of the movie is very similar to Hamilton's "Goldfinger." There is lots of over-the-top action scenes, plenty of childish humor and a constant sense of self-parody. It is actually the silliest Bond movie with Connery, but it is a fun production. The plot makes no sense, so Hamilton makes sure the viewer has a good time. I liked how the pre-titles sequence alludes to the previous movie in the series (the bleak "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"). Considering what had happened to Bond during his last confrontation with super-villain Blofeld, it makes perfect scene that 007 is obsessed with killing his nemesis. Unfortunately, since the actual film is so laid back, the story never fully explores 007's feelings of revenge, depriving the story of an interesting angle. I also disliked how Blofeld is played by so many different actors (the same goes for Bond's CIA friend Felix). This time around Charles Gray plays the nefarious villain, and while he does a good job, I still think Telly Savalas did a better job. Jill St. John is a great Bond girl. Most interesting is the fact that assassins Mr. Kidd and Mr. Wint, are obviously gay (and lovers), and the film does not attempt to disguise their homosexuality. Interestingly, Connery reminds the main distracting flaw in the film. Throughout the film he looks tired, and unanimated, so I hate to say this, but I'm glad he left the series - he looks as if he is sick of the whole thing. He also looks 60, which is strange since his replacement (Roger Moore) is older than him, but in actuality looks much younger. Anyhow, I don't think this is Connery's worst movie (that dubious distinction goes to "You Only Live Twice"), but the film really offers nothing new. It is a diverting movie, but nothing to get excited about. Connery did play Bond one last time, in the ill-conceived "Never Say Never Again." But that film is not part of the official series.