Bringing in the Christmas Season With James Bond (and Louie Armstrong)

One may not think of a James Bond film as traditional holiday fare, but every Christmas season I watch On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The film, which was released in December of 1969, has a Christmas setting and takes place in the snow-covered Swiss Alps.

The film, despite not having the great Sean Connery as Bond, is one the best in the series, in my view. Considering that the new Bond, George Lazenby, had to follow Connery in the role, and that he not acted before, I believe he delivered a better than fair portrayal of Bond. He looked like Ian Fleming's Bond and he was very good in the fight and action scenes.

The film was also graced with Diana Rigg as Tracy, a strong yet troubled woman with whom Bond has a serious - if ultimately tragic - love affair. Telly Savalas was a commanding and truly mad Blofeld, and the film was superbly directed by Peter Hunt. Hunt was faithful to Fleming's novel, even going with his thriller's dark ending.

The film also has John Barry's great musical soundtrack and a special added feature; jazz great Louie Armstrong. Armstrong sang the film's love song.

The below link offers a clip of Bond proposing marriage to Tracy and then leads into a romantic montage with Louie Armstrong singing "We have all the time in the world."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8ael5G26I

The below link is to John Barry's powerful opening theme song to the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5OCxwZI7YA

Merry Christmas from Bond, James Bond.