Customer Reviews

The Making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service is a landmark book for anyone interested in cinema and popular culture. Charles Helfenstein has dug deep into the archives for amazing depth, uncovering many unreported facts about the Bond film most cherished by hard-core fans. Where Helfenstein shines best is his research into the development of the film with screenwriter Richard Maibaum and the influence of director Peter Hunt. He gives fans everything they could ask for with an abundance of information on the film's release and promotion. The section covering the film's production gives a wonderful overview of the film's complex shooting and challenging locations.

As someone who has personally been through many of the core production documents on this movie, read scripts and interviewed many of the cast and filmmakers, I was stunned how much Helfenstein uncovered that I never knew!

The book shines with passion for the film. This is, in its own way, a love story, a compelling exploration of the sixth official James Bond film, the one that almost killed the series but ignited a fire in the hearts of many Bond fans. The book itself is part of a larger story of one of the most successful and enduring film series every produced, yet it stands on its own. The book takes you inside this often over-looked, but deeply influential film.

I give this my highest recommendation.

Stunning as the view of a snow capped alp from a helicopter! As thorough as the diggings into the geneology of a certain Balthazar de Bleuchamp by the Sable Basilisk Persuivant. As exciting as the most exciting James Bond epic ever filmed!

I have always been a fan of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," and have fancied myself as a resident expert, collector, and enthusiast on the film. I have even lived out my OHMSS dream by visiting many of the locations from the film, dressing as George Lazenby and recreating his famous lamp post promo photos, and even restored an Aston Martin DBS. After receiving my copy of "Making Of OHMSS," I realized that there is someone light years ahead of me in the enthusiasm, knowledge, and research of this marvellous film. I sit now far behind in the cheap seats, as author Charles Helfenstein takes the first cabin, captain's table, and front row of the OHMSS fan coach!
I thought that I was someone special, with a photo of George Lazenby and I together, and, lo and behold, there are many of them, and other Bond folks, with the author! He is a fan, and you can definitely tell in his fabulous work!

There are so many photos, tidbits, stories, etc in this book that I have never seen before, that I poured over it for three days, enjoying every moment.
I though that I had every point of reference for my DBS, and after looking closely at some of the wonderful photos, I found that I had missed a detail in my restoration!

Not only is this a great sourcebook, but an excellent read. Helfenstein follows Fleming's style of sweeping narrative, without any of the "Company Line" that plagues some other movie related books.

As a now former #1 fan of OHMSS, I can state that if you are a Bond fan, you need this book. If you are a fan of movie production, fashion, and anything '60's, you need this book. You get far up, far more, with "The Making of OHMSS!"

The other feller should have been so lucky to have been in this film, or received the fantastic attention to detail that Charles Helfenstein provides...

At first, the price of the book sort of kept me away. However, I read about this book on a Bond site and decided to buy it. This book is amazing. No James Bond fan can be without this book. There a discussion on everything from the novel, On Her majesty's Secret Service, to movie campaign art. It goes into great details about the script process including screen treatments as far as 5 years before the movie premiered. It is packed with many photographs. It also covers a Parkour and free standing that was cutout of the movie that inspired the "Madagascar Rundown" in the 2006 Casino Royale. If you love James Bond movies, it is definitely worth it!!!

Congratulations to Charles Hoffenstein for producing an outstanding volume on the making of one of the best yet least publicized 007 films. A wealth of anecdotes on the preparation, lots of interesting stories on the actual filming, and in-depth coverage of the post production and release of the film, all illustrated with a generous array of outstanding and rare photos. The amount of color photos in the book is a pleasant surprise. Every aspect of the film is covered,the writing is polished, and it is a visual feast. The price tag is pretty steep, which rightly gives potential buyers pause, but this is one of those cases where I believe the steep price is justified. If you have more than a passing interest in this film, you will feel that you got your money's worth and then some. This is not some cheap 'Files' volume--it's the real deal. 5 stars is often given out much too liberally, but this one earns it.

I got my copy today and devoured it all this evening. In a word, MAGNIFICENT!!! The level of production detail is astonishing and the arrangement of illustrations and minutiae is nothing short of spectacular. So many books of this type can often come across as sloppily produced or not well-written, but none of that is to be found here. The information on earlier drafts of the script is priceless, as is details on footage cut from the film (mostly part of a never fully realized sequence) and also how the initial drafts of "Diamonds Are Forever" planned to play up the revenge angle.

This takes the place alongside "Battle For Bond" as the two greatest books on Bond movie production ever written, and this is by far the clear #1 winner. Well done!

Bond movie books are usual lousy, self-indulgent retreads of well worn and well known facts. Chuck in the latest movie, reheat and serve. Most writers seem only to be in it to get their name on the Bond bookshelf and claim themselves as some kind of expert. An expert would know better than to publish.

There have, however, been two classics we have been lucky enough to have enjoyed in recent years. Both are must haves.

The first is Robert Sellers' "The Battle for Bond". Priceless.

The second is Charles Helfenstein's book here. Absolutely marvellous.

This is the perfect guide to the ultimate Bond film: imagine a literary version of Peter Hunt's labour of love and here it is. Full of indepth insight from the genesis of Fleming's novel, through production and, of course, the movie's notorious aftermath. Lovingly written and imaginatively illustrated, I doubt there is an image left that has not been reproduced here, showing the progress from Fleming's creation to today, the "feel" of OHMSS wonderfully recreated.

A MUST have for the shelf of EVERY serious Bond fan.

There have been previous books that covered the making of a particular Bond film, from Roger Moore's personal account of the filming of LALD in his James Bond Diary and Sally Hibben's authorized The Making of License to Kill to Garth Pearce's books on the first two Pierce Brosnan films, Ian Johnson's TWINE Companion, and Greg Williams' Bond On Set series which are more photo books than making of. This book takes the best of those and goes even further. It's a "warts and all" book that covers every aspect of the film, from the book the film is based on to the first attempts at a script, through the actual filming, and ending with critical reaction while literally leaving no stone unturned. With behind the scenes/making of books I tend to go for the photo heavy type books and this one doesn't disappoint. The writing is concise, never drags, and holds your attention throughout. I finished the book in two days as I could not put it down. It's a shame there isn't a book like this written for each Bond film. If you're a James Bond fan, you have to buy this book. If you're a fan of this particular film, it's a must own! If you think you know this movie, think again.

It is my understanding that the James Bond series' long-time editor Peter Hunt was once promised directorial duties for 1967's 'You Only Live Twice' (YOLT) starring Sean Connery. When the producers decided to hire Lewis Gilbert to helm the picture instead, Mr. Hunt was promised the next one. At some point during the production of YOLT, Sean Connery became disillusioned with the series and decided to retire from the role that made him an international superstar. When it was Peter Hunt's turn to direct 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' (OHMSS), one important thing was missing...a star to play the legendary spy!

Nearly everybody in the industrialized world has seen at least one James Bond film in their lifetime but not everybody knows the amount of work and drama that goes on during the production of these films. THE MAKING OF ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE by Charles Helfenstein meticulously chronicles the story of how the most underappreciated entry in the James Bond film series went from being a 1963 novel by Ian Fleming to an 140 minute feature film starring an unknown Australian actor named George Lazenby as 007.

I've been a member of the online James Bond fan community for seven years now and whenever I hear the name Charles Helfenstein, I automatically think of the sixth James Bond film. His name is synonymous with this particular film because of his enormous passion and breadth of knowledge for all things relating to OHMSS. After years of painstaking research and by describing every major aspect of production and post-production, Mr. Helfenstein provides readers with the most comprehensive look at 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' ever produced. You could watch the DVD documentaries and/or read the film's Wikipedia article for information about OHMSS but those only provide you with 1% of the overall story. For the other 99%, you must read this book because Charles Helfenstein is the only living person capable of telling this unique and fascinating story.

I've been a Bond fan for nearly a decade and I used to buy a lot of James Bond reference books until I realized that the majority of them are crap. The really bad ones just recycle photographs and tidbits that I've heard repeated numerous times before. THE MAKING OF ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is different because every single page is filled with information and photographs that I've never heard or seen before. I was astonished because prior to reading the book, I thought I knew everything there was to know about OHMSS. Wrong!

Some people have complained about the $54 price but after holding the book in my hands and giving it a thorough read, I can honestly tell you that it's worth every penny. It wasn't just written for hardcore James Bond fans like myself but also for students of film and popular culture. In addition to discussing OHMSS's unique production, the book gives brilliant insight into the art of filmmaking as well as how the people involved work together to create a cinematic masterpiece, a term that many Bond fans are beginning to bestow upon 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' 40+ years after its release.

If you're a James Bond fan or simply a movie buff, not owning THE MAKING OF ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE would be extremely foolish. That's a fact.

Chris Wright
Executive Editor
FelixLeiter.com

First-off, if you're balking at the price, hesitate no more: It's worth it. As with any really interesting look at James Bond -- see "Dressed to Kill" -- this book is more than the sum of it's parts. Author Charles Helfenstein takes us not just through a near day-by-day reconstruction of scripting, shooting, and publicizing the film, but also offers glimpses into the history, influences, and more of all involved. Moreover, it's not just the same stories you've heard time and again now collected in one spot: For example, you learn not only every detail of the College of Arms chase but exactly who -- by name -- talked Lazenby into dropping out of the role.

Like anything self-published, there is is the occasional lapse in editing and layout; the book isn't perfect. Still, if -- like me -- you appreciated OHMSS but it didn't top your list of Bond films, Helfenstein will not only change your mind, but broaden your knowledge of the series as a whole.

This book, by far, is the MOST comprehensive complilation of articles, photos, behind the scenes look at one of the more controversial of the Bond films.
There should not be a single Bond fan that should doesn't have this book on their shelf!!!!!
I can only wish that the same treatment be performed for each of the other Bond films.
If you are hesitating purchasing this bokk....DON'T!!!! It's a "MUST-HAVE"
Ed
TheSpyBoys com