On Her Majesty's Secret Service reference guide

When Bond's usual intelligence sources fail, he enlists the aid of crime boss Draco to track down Ernst Blofeld, head of the evil SPECTRE organization. The trail leads to the mountains of Switzerland, where Bond goes undercover in Blofeld's hi-tech headquarters. He encounter a bevy of seductive women, but none more beautiful than Draco's daughter, Tracy, who wins 007 over with her fervent independence, caustic wit and love of adventure. Bond pledges his eternal devotion to her, but there are more immediate concern: Blofeld is poised to unleash horrific germ warfare weaponry, that will endanger every living thing on earth. Written by Robert Lynch

Quick facts

Produced by Albert R. Broccoli & Harry Saltzman

Directed by Peter Hunt

Screenplay by Richard Maibaum

World Premiere 18th December 1969 (London, England)

US Release Date 18th December 1969

Worldwide Box Office $64,600,000 US

Budget $7,000,000 US

Running Time 140 Minutes

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Locations

London; Portugal; Geneva and Berne, Switzerland; the Swiss Alps and surrounding areas.

Bond, James Bond

James Bond tells Teresa Di Vicenzo that his name is “Bond, James Bond”

Behind the scenes

The longest Bond movie before the release of Casino Royale 37 years later.

Director Peter Hunt is seen although obscurely, reflected in the Universal Export sign directly following the credits.

This is the only time we get to see M's home. The house used was actually only 10 miles from Pinewood Studios.

Whilst on route to see Draco, Bond passes a janitor who is singing the theme to Goldfinger.

Like You Only Live Twice, a number of scenes were cut out of television and early VHS versions of On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The whole scene where Bond breaks into Gumbold's safe and where Campbell tries to ride up to Piz Gloria by cable car have only been restored recently.

The end sequence of Bond and Tracy driving away from their wedding was originally going to be the pre-title sequence of Diamonds Are Forever.

Blofeld's headquarters was actually named Piz Gloria in honour of its name in the film. It still remains a popular tourist attraction today. §

Selected behind the scenes information courtesy IMDb.