On Her Majesty's Secret Service

On Her Majesty's Secret Service 1969

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Plot Summary


James Bond finds himself in a precarious situation when he saves a woman from drowning on the beach, only to later encounter her again at a casino. This woman, Contessa Teresa “Tracy” di Vicenzo, invites Bond to her hotel room as a gesture of gratitude. However, when he arrives, he is unexpectedly attacked by an unknown assailant. After swiftly incapacitating his attacker, Bond returns to his own room, only to find Tracy there, insisting she was unaware of the attack.

The next day, Bond’s ordeal intensifies when he is kidnapped by a group of men including the one he had just fought. They take him to meet Marc-Ange Draco, the powerful leader of a European crime organization known as Unione Corse. Draco discloses that Tracy is his only daughter and reveals her troubled past, offering Bond a substantial sum of one million pounds if he agrees to marry her. Although Bond declines the proposal, he consents to pursue a romantic relationship with Tracy on the condition that Draco assists him in locating the nefarious Ernst Stavro Blofeld, head of the criminal organization SPECTRE.

Upon his return to London, M informs Bond that he is no longer authorized to pursue Blofeld. Infuriated, Bond begins to write a resignation letter to Moneypenny, but she cleverly modifies it to request a leave instead. Bond soon finds himself at Draco’s birthday celebration in Portugal, where his relationship with Tracy blossoms into a passionate romance. Following Draco’s directions, Bond visits a law firm in Bern, Switzerland, where he uncovers Blofeld’s attempts to claim the title of Count Balthazar de Bleuchamp by communicating with genealogist Sir Hilary Bray.

Disguised as Bray, Bond infiltrates Blofeld’s clinical allergy research institute located atop Piz Gloria in the Swiss Alps. There, he encounters twelve young women whom Blofeld refers to as his “angels of death,” patients who have seemingly been cured of their allergies. Later that evening, Bond spends time with a woman named Ruby, who marks her room number on his leg. However, Bond soon discovers that these women are subject to a hypnotic state during which Blofeld implants them with subliminal instructions to release deadly bacteriological agents worldwide.

Attempting to outsmart Blofeld, Bond plans to lure him out of Switzerland so MI6 can apprehend him without breaching Swiss laws. Nevertheless, Blofeld sees through Bond’s ruse and captures him with the help of henchwoman Irma Bunt. After being caught, Blofeld reveals that he has identified Bond’s true intentions and orders his henchmen to deal with him. However, Bond manages to escape, skiing down the mountain while being pursued by Blofeld’s men. In a dramatic escape, Tracy finds Bond in Lauterbrunnen, and following a thrilling car chase, they evade their attackers, ultimately taking refuge in a barn. Here, Bond professes his love and proposes to Tracy, who joyfully accepts.

Unfortunately, their bliss is short-lived. The next day, a relentless chase ensues on skis, interrupted by Blofeld’s triggering of an avalanche. While Tracy is captured, Bond is buried but ultimately manages to escape in time. Back in London, Bond is briefed about Blofeld’s ominous plan to hold the world hostage, threatening to obliterate its agriculture with his brainwashed women. M, insisting on paying the ransom and forbidding any rescue attempts, leaves Bond infuriated. Consequently, Bond recruits Draco and his forces to storm Blofeld’s lair and rescue Tracy.

The ensuing battle results in the destruction of Blofeld’s facility, but he manages to escape in a bobsleigh, pursued by Bond. The chase concludes when Blofeld crashes into a tree branch, trapping him. Bond and Tracy then marry in Portugal, driving away in Bond’s Aston Martin DBS. Yet their happiness is tragically disrupted when Blofeld and Bunt execute a drive-by shooting of their vehicle. Bond survives the attack, but heartbreakingly, Tracy does not.

Timeline


Bond Saves Tracy

James Bond finds himself on a beach where he heroically saves a woman from drowning. This encounter sets off a chain of events that intertwine their lives in unexpected ways.

Beach

Casino Encounter

After their initial meeting, Bond runs into Tracy again at a casino. The two begin to form a connection, leading Tracy to invite Bond to her hotel room as a gesture of gratitude.

Casino

Assassination Attempt

Upon arriving at Tracy's hotel room, Bond is ambushed by an unknown assailant. He quickly fights off the attacker, only to find Tracy there, claiming ignorance of the situation.

Hotel Room

Kidnapped by Draco's Men

The following day, Bond is kidnapped by a group linked to his earlier attacker. They bring him to meet Marc-Ange Draco, the head of a notorious crime organization.

Unknown Location

Draco's Proposal

Marc-Ange Draco reveals that Tracy is his daughter and shares her troubled past. He proposes a marriage arrangement between Bond and Tracy for a million pounds, but Bond declines the offer.

Draco's Hideout

Return to London

Back in London, Bond is informed by M that he is no longer authorized to pursue Blofeld, leading to his frustration. Bond prepares a resignation letter, but Moneypenny cleverly alters it to request a leave instead.

MI6 Headquarters

Romantic Getaway

Bond attends Draco's birthday celebration in Portugal where he and Tracy's relationship deepens. Their romantic connection flourishes as they spend quality time together.

Portugal

Investigation in Switzerland

Following Draco's instructions, Bond visits a law firm in Bern and discovers Blofeld's plan to claim a title. His investigation leads him to an encounter with genealogist Sir Hilary Bray.

Bern, Switzerland

Infiltration of Blofeld's Institute

Bond disguises himself as Sir Hilary Bray to infiltrate Blofeld's allergy research center at Piz Gloria. There, he encounters Blofeld's 'angels of death' and learns about their brainwashing.

Piz Gloria, Switzerland

Capture and Escape

After uncovering Blofeld's plan, Bond is captured by the villain and his henchwoman Irma Bunt. In a thrilling escape, Bond evades capture while skiing down the mountains.

Swiss Alps

A Proposal in Hiding

In Lauterbrunnen, Tracy finds Bond and helps him escape from Blofeld's henchmen. In a quiet moment in a barn, Bond professes his love and proposes to Tracy, who accepts.

Lauterbrunnen

The Chase and Avalanche

The next day, Bond and Tracy face a dangerous chase on skis, which is suddenly interrupted by Blofeld triggering an avalanche. Despite the chaos, Bond manages to survive but Tracy is captured.

Swiss Alps

Rescue Mission

Back in London, Bond learns of Blofeld's sinister plan to hold the world hostage using his brainwashed women. Ignoring M's orders, Bond teams up with Draco to rescue Tracy.

MI6 Headquarters

Final Confrontation

Bond and Draco storm Blofeld's facility, resulting in an explosive battle. Blofeld narrowly escapes in a bobsleigh, but Bond keeps pursuit.

Blofeld's Lair

Tragic Ending

Bond and Tracy marry in a picturesque setting in Portugal, enjoying their new life together. Tragically, their joy is short-lived as Blofeld attacks them, resulting in Tracy's death.

Portugal

Characters


Contessa Teresa 'Tracy' di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg)

Tracy is a complex character, marked by her troubled past yet displaying incredible strength and resilience. As the daughter of a crime boss, she reflects both vulnerability and fierce independence, drawing Bond into a passionate yet perilous romance.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Romance 🏹 Resilience 👑 Complexity

Marc-Ange Draco (Telly Savalas)

Draco is a powerful European crime lord with a strong paternal instinct, dedicated to ensuring his daughter's well-being. Despite his criminal affiliations, he displays a romantic side and a willingness to aid Bond in his pursuit of Blofeld, showcasing loyalty and the complexities of fatherly love.

👨‍👧 Family 💰 Power 🦹‍♂️ Crime

James Bond (George Lazenby)

Bond is characterized by his suave demeanor, resourcefulness, and unwavering determination to combat evil. His journey in the film involves striking a balance between his professional life as a secret agent and his personal life as he falls in love with Tracy.

🕵️‍♂️ Espionage ❤️ Love ⚔️ Action

Setting


Time period

The film is set during the late 1960s, a time characterized by intense Cold War tensions and the rise of espionage thrillers in cinema. This era saw the emergence of iconic secret agents like James Bond, reflecting cultural shifts in attitude towards international relations and the allure of glamour.

Location

Portugal, Switzerland, London

Portugal serves as a picturesque backdrop for Bond and Tracy's blossoming romance amidst lavish celebrations. Switzerland, with its majestic Swiss Alps, hosts the sinister activities of Blofeld's allergy research facility atop Piz Gloria. London stands as the nerve center of MI6 operations, where crucial plot developments unfold.

🇵🇹 Portugal 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇬🇧 London

Themes


💔

Love and Loss

The narrative intricately weaves themes of love and loss, particularly illustrated through Bond and Tracy's relationship. Their passionate romance contrasts sharply with the dark fate that ultimately befalls Tracy. This theme encapsulates the risks associated with love in a dangerous world.

🎲

Risk and Sacrifice

Bond's willingness to navigate treacherous waters in pursuit of both love and justice emphasizes the theme of risk and sacrifice. His engagement in espionage and subsequent treatment of Tracy reflect the duality of his lifestyle — the constant balancing act between personal desires and professional duties.

🎭

Identity and Deception

The film delves into themes of identity and deception, exemplified by Bond's disguise as Sir Hilary Bray. These elements highlight the importance of appearances and the layers of truth within the world of espionage, where one's identity can be constantly transformed.

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