Diamonds Are Forever

United Kingdom: 1971
Running time: 120min
MPAA Classification: PG (Violence, sexual innuendo)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.2:1
Cast: Sean Connery, Charles Gray, Jill St. John, Jimmy Dean, Bruce Cabot, Norman Burton, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewelyn
Director: Guy Hamilton
Producers: Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman
Screenplay: Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz based on the novel by Ian Fleming
Cinematography: Ted Moore
Music: John Barry
U.S. Distributor: United Artists

In 1971 Sean made a wise move to play James Bond after decamping ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. This film proved to be quite remunerating for Sean as it made him the highest paid actor among his contemporaries. The typical action moves of his were really gumptious and they were simply enough to blemish the jaunts of Roger Moore’s ‘Live And Let Die’ and ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’.

The Same Gang
‘Diamonds Are Forever’ came along with the same gang, which saw the high-flying success of ‘Goldfinger’. Yes, it was again Guy Hamilton to direct the film and Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz to make the screenplay. Ted Moore did the cinematography and John Barry once again created some real melodious lines. Shirley Bassey put the icing sugar with her sweet phonations. But somehow the script did not make the click to take this movie to those heights of ‘Goldfinger’.

The Story
James Bond is found assaying the desolating rival of his, famous as Blofeld (Charles Gray) whom he eventually bumped off getting vengeful for his wife, Tracy’s death. After the deed he takes up the assignment to inquire the secret importation of diamonds. He meets the cloistered multi-millionaire Willard Whyte (Jimmy Dean) posing a smuggler. No body could account for the stocking of diamonds by Whyte and whoever joined him got belted down mysteriously. . Conjoined Felix Leiter (Norman Burton), free agent Tiffany Chase (Jill St. John) and James bond himself, eventually raid Whyte's den with a filthy surprise.

A weak Movie
The story is a real degenerative one with a smart start but a rather dull ending. The laser-shooting satellite of Blofeld made the audience laugh in a disgust and the space based science fiction moves badly needed a hike in technical proficiency. The ending is so cold that the swell headed Blofeld’s plans get damped with the stupid action of stealing a cassette tape. Here only lies the script deficiency.

A Weak Cast
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Though Sean Connery is simply perfect in his role his supporting cast was a but weak one. Charles Gray is not baleful enough to portray Blofeld. Even Jill St. John, the first American Bond girl was not up to the mark at all. And lastly Jimmy Dean is more of a clown than the cloistered Whyte.

The overall impression of the movie is not at all satisfying since bond deserves a bit more of technical stunts. But at the end of the day the audience has enjoyed it with the credit going solely to none other than Sean Connery.