'Diamonds Are Forever' revisited

With 'Quantum of Solace' due to hit our screens soon, we take a daily look back at the 21 official Bond films. Day 7: ‘Diamonds Are Forever’

Diamonds Are Forever (1971, Guy Hamilton)
Villain: Blofeld yet again
At Stake: World held to ransom
Candy: Jill St John as Tiffany Case
Gizmo: Too many to mention – all ridiculous
Theme song: ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Shirley Bassey
Quote: 'I was out walking my rat and seem to have lost my way…'

George Lazenby’s decision not to continue as 007 left producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in something of a quandry. After being turned down by TV Batman Adam West, who felt that the role should be filled by a British actor, and informed by outside-bet Michael Gambon that he felt himself unsuitable for the role as he had 'tits like a woman', they went cap (and huge bundle of cash) in hand to Sean Connery who would eventually agree to return for his sixth outing as James Bond.

Blofeld is back yet a-bloody-gain, this time with a madcap idea for building a laser gun big enough to destroy entire cities. To do so, he needs a massive amount of diamonds and James is charged with infiltrating the international smuggling ring that’s supplying them.

In the way is a rogues' gallery featuring winsome homosexual button men Mr Kidd and Mr Wint, high-kicking tag-team Bambi and Thumper, a stand-up comedian called Shady Tree and shady mortician Morton Slumber as James follows the diamonds from Amsterdam to Vegas to the Californian coast.

But despite a tight story, some fresh locations and a memorably strange and nightmarish feel, it’s far too neatly tailored to the American box-office and lacks the true spirit of Bond.

Concerns over Connery’s age mean that he’s completely caked in make-up – which has the effect of making him look even older. Connery has fun with one of the more comic Bonds, but by now it’s really time for him to hand over the double-O status to some new blood and for the series to move on.

James Bond will return in… ‘Live and Let Die’

Read our original interview of 'Diamonds are Forever'

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