Home Page Main Frame

General Info - Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

The shock of Lazenby refusing to do another Bond film was almost too much to bare for the producers. Another change, to that of John Gavin (who had an option, if no more) could have kiled the series off there and then. Instead, enticed by over a million dollars and the opportunity of United Artists funding two film projects of his choice, Connery was back! The biggest role in showbusiness was once again filled by the burr Scot who, it is supposed, donated the money to the Scottish International Educational Trust. Box office returns, to some degree at least, were guaranteed by the comeback of the original Bond... but this film was not to be like the others....

The Plot

Vast quantities of diamonds are being smuggled and then hoarded rather than being sold... but why? Bond is sent to find out who the thieves are. Hopping to Holland, where Bond, posing as smuggler Peter Franks, meets Tiffany Case, and then to Las Vegas, the villain of the peace becomes clear - Blofeld. Using the cover of the vast empire of reclusive (and now kidnapped) billionaire Willard Whyte, Blofeld uses a developed diamonds-encrusted laser, on a satellite, to hold the world to ransom by threatening to destroy major cities. Despite Bond's best efforts, Blofeld is not stopped, and moves his control to an oil rig of the coast of California. There, he issues a threat to the UN stating that he will destroy Washington DC unless his gargantuan ransom demand is met. Aboard this rig there is a big fight between Bond and the US army on sonbe side and Blofeld's trrops on the other. the rig is eventually destroyed, but the whereabouts of Blofeld remains a mystery...

Budget: $7m - Gross: $116m - Fastrac007 Rating: 63%