--- title: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/on-her-majestys-secret-service/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/on-her-majestys-secret-service" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 11 reviews: 11 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. All eleven reviews are positive, and the praise lands in the same places. Most critics treat this as the Bond film that lets the character feel something, and they credit the closer adaptation of Fleming for it. Diana Rigg’s Tracy is singled out repeatedly as a heroine who is Bond’s equal in wit and action. John Barry’s score comes up in nearly every notice, as do Peter Hunt’s action sequences, the ski chase in particular. Several critics also praise the closing minutes, which we will not describe. The reservations cluster around George Lazenby, whom most critics find capable but limited and inevitably measured against Connery. Digital Spy notes pacing problems across a long runtime; The AV Club mentions technical rough edges. The spread is narrow, 70 to 90, and it runs by date: the notices in Variety and The New York Times see a brisk chase picture with a new lead, while later reviews, from The Guardian to Den of Geek, call it a series high point that took decades to be recognised. ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 March 2014. The film is widely considered one of the best Bond entries despite the change in lead actor. It stands out for its strong story, exciting stunts, John Barry score, and especially Diana Rigg's three-dimensional performance as Tracy. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/on-her-majestys-secret-service) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 February 2014. The critic calls the film possibly the best Bond entry ever, praising its standout soundtrack, the way it takes the character into new emotional territory, and its unforgettable ending as one of cinema's finest. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/23/on-her-majestys-secret-service-film-recap) ## The AV Club — Ignatiy Vishnevetsky Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 7 April 2020. The critic calls it the definitive Bond fan’s film for its romantic depth, character investment in Bond, and visual beauty alongside the series’ usual pleasures. He singles out the faithful adaptation of Fleming, Lazenby’s vulnerable performance, and the striking direction and score for praise while noting some technical flaws and the actor’s limitations. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/fan-favorite-on-her-majesty-s-secret-service-is-the-dar-1842665090) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic calls it the best Bond film for its strong plot, genuine emotion and fidelity to Fleming, singling out the sensitive romance with Tracy and the moving wedding and finale for praise, while noting Lazenby's acting limitations and the director's efficient action sequences. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/majesty-secret-service-review/) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Rating 4/5. The film is a magnificently memorable adventure despite divided opinions on Lazenby at the time. It features superb action, suspense, locations, emotional depth for Bond, a strong heroine in Diana Rigg, an evocative John Barry score, and the memorable Louis Armstrong song. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-m91lzv/on-her-majestys-secret-service/) ## The New York Times — A. H. Weiler Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 1969. The sixth Bond film follows the established pattern of sex, crime and spoof, with its heart in a series of breakneck chases shot by first-time director Peter Hunt. It features the longest ski chase and bobsled run ever, plus other elaborate action set pieces. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1969/12/19/archives/screen-new-james-bondgeorge-lazenby-follows-the-connery-pattern.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1968. This is a film of break-neck physical excitement and stunning visual attractions in which George Lazenby replaces Sean Connery as James Bond. Lazenby is pleasant and capable but suffers by comparison; the film highlights Diana Rigg as Bond's true love and equal in action and wit. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1968/film/reviews/on-her-majesty-s-secret-service-1200421871/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2023. The critic highlights the film's daring originality as the most faithful Fleming adaptation with a new Bond and first-time director, praising its emotional depth, complex Tracy character, and influence on later entries while noting its initial underappreciation. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/on-her-majestys-secret-service-is-most-original-james-bond-movie/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 February 2014. The critic calls it a franchise classic reappraised over time for its emotional vulnerability, Diana Rigg's standout performance as Tracy, stylish direction, and devastating ending, while acknowledging pacing flaws in its long runtime. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/re-viewed/a552980/re-viewed-on-her-majestys-secret-service-the-forgotten-bond-classic/) ## Film Stories — Mark Harrison Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2022. The film is a singular one-off in the Bond series due to its new lead, director, and more grounded, romantic tone that humanizes Bond while delivering strong action and a tragic ending. It was initially divisive but has been reassessed positively for its emotional depth and fidelity to Fleming. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/features/on-her-majestys-secret-service-and-the-curious-case-of-george-lazenbys-james-bond/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 August 2009. The film departs from prior entries with a serious, gritty tone, closer adaptation of Fleming, and a touching romance that humanizes Bond, leading to one of the franchise's most powerful scenes. Lazenby deserves more credit despite comparisons to Connery; overall it is much better than its initial maligned reputation suggests. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/on-her-majestys-secret-service-film-review-by-stephen-carty) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/on-her-majestys-secret-service.md