Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Director:

Guy Hamilton

Writers:

Richard Maibaum (screenplay) and
Tom Mankiewicz (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

17 December 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

"Diamonds Are Forever"...forever...forever...forever...

Plot:

A diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas, where he uncovers an extortion plot headed by his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Plot Keywords:

Diamond | Smuggling | British | Casino | Casino Owner

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Sean Connery	...	James Bond
Jill St. John	...	Tiffany Case
Charles Gray	...	Blofeld
Lana Wood	...	Plenty O'Toole
Jimmy Dean	...	Willard Whyte
Bruce Cabot	...	Saxby
Putter Smith	...	Mr. Kidd
Bruce Glover	...	Mr. Wint
Norman Burton	...	Leiter
Joseph Fürst	...	Dr. Metz (as Joseph Furst)
Bernard Lee	...	'M'
Desmond Llewelyn	...	'Q'
Leonard Barr	...	Shady Tree
Lois Maxwell	...	Moneypenny
Margaret Lacey	...	Mrs. Whistler
Joe Robinson	...	Peter Franks
David de Keyser	...	Doctor (as David De Keyser)
Laurence Naismith	...	Sir Donald Munger
David Bauer	...	Mr. Slumber
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sammy Davis Jr.	...	Casino Player (scenes deleted)
Sid Haig	...	Slumber Inc. Attendant (uncredited: in closing credits)
Marc Lawrence	...	Slumber Inc. Attendant (uncredited: in closing credits)
John Abineri	...	Airline Representative (uncredited)
Ray Baker	...	Helicopter Pilot (uncredited)
Ed Bishop	...	Klaus Hergersheimer (uncredited)
Nicky Blair	...	Doorman (uncredited)
Larry J. Blake	...	Water Balloon Game Barker-Operator (uncredited)
Ed Call	...	Maxie (uncredited)
George Lane Cooper	...	SPECTRE Agent (uncredited)
Dick Crockett	...	Crane Operator (uncredited)
Catherine Deeney	...	Welfare Worker (uncredited)
Gary Dubin	...	Boy (uncredited)
Clifford Earl	...	Immigration Officer (uncredited)
Mark Elwes	...	Sir Donald's Secretary (uncredited)
Brinsley Forde	...	Houseboy (uncredited)
Constantine Gregory	...	Aide to Metz (uncredited)
David Healy	...	Vandenburg Launch Director (uncredited)
Karl Held	...	Agent (uncredited)
Roy Hollis	...	Las Vegas Sheriff (uncredited)
Bill Hutchinson	...	Moon Crater Controller (uncredited)
Janos Kurucz	...	Aide to Metz (uncredited)
Lola Larson	...	Bambi (uncredited)
Debbie Letteau	...	Girl on the Corner (uncredited)
Frank Mann	...	Moon Crater Guard (uncredited)
Connie Mason	...	Woman at Whyte House (uncredited)
Don Messick	...	Announcer at Circus Circus (uncredited)
Burt Metcalfe	...	Maxwell (uncredited)
Johnny Miller	...	Gunman (uncredited)
Terence Mountain	...	1st Guard (uncredited)
Frank Olegario	...	Man in Fez (uncredited)
Trina Parks	...	Thumper (uncredited)
Denise Perrier	...	Marie (uncredited)
Valerie Perrine	...	Shady Tree's Acorn (uncredited)
Shane Rimmer	...	Tom (uncredited)
Henry Rowland	...	Dr. Tynan (uncredited)
Gordon Ruttan	...	Vandenburg Aide (uncredited)
Jay Sarno	...	Sideshow Barker (uncredited)
Tom Steele	...	W Technologies Gate Guard (uncredited)
Michael Valente	...	Slumber Inc. Attendant (uncredited)
E.J. 'Tex' Young	...	Craps Dealer (uncredited)

Directed by
Guy Hamilton

Writing credits
Richard Maibaum		(screenplay) and
Tom Mankiewicz		(screenplay)
Ian Fleming		(novel: Diamonds Are Forever) uncredited

Produced by
Albert R. Broccoli	....	producer
Harry Saltzman	....	producer
Alan Silvers	....	producer: Lowry Digital Images a DTS company (Pristine Digital Restoration)
Stanley Sopel	....	associate producer

Original Music by
John Barry

Cinematography by
Ted Moore		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Bert Bates
John W. Holmes		(as John W.Holmes)

Casting by
Weston Drury Jr.		(uncredited)

Production Design by
Ken Adam

Art Direction by
Bill Kenney
Jack Maxsted

Set Decoration by
John P. Austin		(as John Austin)
Peter Lamont

Makeup Department
Basil Newall	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Allan Snyder	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Linda Trainoff	....	hairdresser (uncredited)
Eileen Warwick	....	hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Milton Feldman	....	production manager
Claude Hudson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Derek Cracknell	....	assistant director
Jerome M. Siegel	....	assistant director
Raymond Becket	....	third assistant director (uncredited)
Mel Efros	....	assistant director (uncredited)
Mike Frankovich Jr.	....	assistant director (uncredited)
Richard Jenkins	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Ken Swor	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Ron Quelch	....	production buyer (as Ronnie Quelch)
Ted Ambrose	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
John Anderson	....	props (uncredited)
Roger Apperson	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Ivor Beddoes	....	sketch artist (uncredited)
John Chisholm	....	prop man (uncredited)
Jerry Graham	....	prop master (uncredited)
William Hiney	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
Gary F. Kieldrup	....	props (uncredited)
Daniel A. Lomino	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
Alan Manser	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
Raynsford W. Newhouse	....	construction supervisor (uncredited)
Allan Range	....	carpenter (uncredited)
John Treman	....	lead man (uncredited)
Roy Walker	....	assistant art director (uncredited)
Ward Welton	....	painter (uncredited)
Doug Wilson	....	painter (uncredited)
Thomas Wright	....	sketch artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Christopher Lancaster	....	dubbing editor
Teddy Mason	....	dubbing editor
Gordon K. McCallum	....	dubbing mixer (as Gordon McCallum)
John W. Mitchell	....	sound recordist (as John Mitchell)
Al Overton	....	sound recordist
Jim Shields	....	dubbing editor (as Jimmy Shields)
John Hayward	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Joseph Kite	....	cableman (uncredited)
Richard Spelker	....	boom man (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Les Hillman	....	special effects (as Leslie Hillman)
Whitey McMahon	....	special effects
Andy Evans	....	special effects (uncredited)
Bert Luxford	....	assistant physical special effects (uncredited)
Don Wolz	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Alex Clifton	....	damage artist: Lowry Digital Images a DTS company (Pristine Digital Restoration)
Adam J. Herpy	....	damage artist: Lowry Digital Images a DTS company (Pristine Digital Restoration)
Paul Edward Jackson	....	4K film scanning: Lowry Digital Images a DTS company (Pristine Digital Restoration) (as Paul E. Jackson)
Daniel Ortiz	....	damage artist: Lowry Digital Images a DTS company (Pristine Digital Restoration)
Wally Veevers	....	visual effects
Albert Whitlock	....	visual effects
Benton Wong	....	damage artist: Lowry Digital Images a DTS company (Pristine Digital Restoration)
Jim Danforth	....	model animator: submarine (uncredited)
Roy Field	....	optical cinematography (uncredited)
Charles Staffell	....	optical/projection effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Paul Baxley	....	stunt arranger
Bob Simmons	....	stunt arranger
Craig R. Baxley	....	stunts (uncredited)
Paul Baxley	....	stunts (uncredited)
Lightning Bear	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Johnny Bossle	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Monty Bossle	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Buzz Bundy	....	stunts (uncredited)
Richard E. Butler	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Dennis Camsey	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Lane Cooper	....	stunts (uncredited)
Gerry Crampton	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Leslie Crawford	....	stunts (uncredited)
Everett Creach	....	stunts (uncredited)
Dick Crockett	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Cummings	....	stunts (uncredited)
Vince Deadrick Sr.	....	stunts (uncredited)
Nick Dimitri	....	stunts (uncredited)
Eddie Eddon	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bud Ekins	....	stunts (uncredited)
Patty Elder	....	stunts (uncredited)
Donna Garrett	....	stunts (uncredited)
Reg Harding	....	stunts (uncredited)
Orwin C. Harvey	....	stunt double: high fall from oil rig (uncredited)
Bob Herron	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Hickman	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jazzer Jeyes	....	stunts (uncredited)
Max Latimer	....	stunt double: Charles Gray (uncredited)
George Leech	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jimmy Lodge	....	stunts (uncredited)
Carey Loftin	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Johnny Miller	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Morgan	....	stunts (uncredited)
Victor Paul	....	stunts (uncredited)
Eddie Powell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Nosher Powell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Glenn Randall Jr.	....	stunts (uncredited)
Doug Robinson	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Robotham	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ronnie Rondell Jr.	....	stunts (uncredited)
Wally Rose	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fred Scheiwiller	....	stunts (uncredited)
Alex Sharp	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jack Sholomir	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bob Simmons	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tom Steele	....	stunts (uncredited)
Roy Street	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fred Stromsoe	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jerry Summers	....	stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Waters	....	stunts (uncredited)
Chris Webb	....	stunts (uncredited)
Joe Williams	....	stunt driver (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Bill Johnson	....	camera operator
Bob Kindred	....	camera operator
Harold E. Wellman	....	second unit cameraman (as Harold Wellman)
Bill Beam	....	second grip (uncredited)
Robert Blair	....	grip (uncredited)
Ken John Borland	....	crab dolly operator (uncredited)
Richard Borland	....	key grip (uncredited)
Roger DeSantis	....	best boy (uncredited)
John Flanagan	....	electrician (uncredited)
Chuck Fowler	....	electrician (uncredited)
Gary Gravelin	....	electrician (uncredited)
Lee Green	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Paul Grosso	....	generator operator (uncredited)
John Howard	....	camera operator: special unit (uncredited)
Joe Jackman	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Bruce Johnston	....	generator operator (uncredited)
Calvin Maehl	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
Ross A. Maehl	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Robert Marta	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Frank Palmer	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Mike Roberts	....	focus puller (uncredited)
Paul Schwake Jr.	....	grip (uncredited)
Bradley B. Six	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Robert Six	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Jim Stott	....	electrician (uncredited)
George Whitear	....	still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Donfeld	....	costumes: Miss St. John's (as Don Feld)
Elsa Fennell	....	wardrobe supervisor
Ted Tetrick	....	wardrobe supervisor
Ray Beck	....	wardrobe master (uncredited)
Kent James	....	costumer (uncredited)
Mina Mittelman	....	costumer (uncredited)
Anthony Sinclair	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Marion Grau	....	colorist: Lowry Digital Images a DTS company (Pristine Digital Restoration) (as Marian A. Grau)

Music Department
John Barry	....	conductor
John Barry	....	music arranger
Shirley Bassey	....	singer: title song
Don Black	....	lyricist
Monty Norman	....	composer: The James Bond theme
Sidney Margo	....	music contractor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Frank Austin	....	driver (uncredited)
Ronnie Baker	....	driver (uncredited)
James D. Brubaker	....	driver (uncredited)
Gil Casper	....	driver (uncredited)
Jerry Cipperly	....	driver (uncredited)
Gene Clinesmith	....	driver (uncredited)
Alan Falco	....	driver (uncredited)
Nick Falco	....	driver (uncredited)
Bob Fish	....	driver (uncredited)
Dennis Hollis	....	driver (uncredited)
Leroy E. Hollis	....	transportation captain (uncredited)
Bob Howell	....	driver (uncredited)
Buck Master	....	driver (uncredited)
Hank Moreland	....	driver (uncredited)
Pierce Murphy	....	driver (uncredited)
Ed Ortego	....	driver (uncredited)
Ralph Pierce	....	driver (uncredited)
B. Polanski	....	driver (uncredited)
Jerry Quintana	....	driver (uncredited)
Allee G. Reed	....	driver (uncredited)
Tim Sheen	....	driver (uncredited)
Jean Spray	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Maurice Binder	....	title designer: main title
Albert R. Broccoli	....	presenter
Bernard Hanson	....	location manager
Del Ross	....	continuity
Eddie Saeta	....	location manager
Harry Saltzman	....	presenter
Elaine Schreyeck	....	continuity
Ed Clark	....	first aid (uncredited)
Ken Hardie	....	craft service (uncredited)
Jane Leat	....	production secretary (uncredited)
Don Morgan	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Chi Nishida	....	company secretary (uncredited)
Dominic Santarone	....	caterer (uncredited)
Ruth Santarone	....	caterer (uncredited)
William Smith	....	location auditor (uncredited)
Don Wyman	....	production auditor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Eon Productions (made by) (as Eon Productions Limited)
• Danjaq (as Danjaq S.A.) (uncredited)

Distributors

• United Artists Corporation (1971) (UK) (theatrical)
• C.B. Films (1971) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1971) (Norway) (theatrical)
• Tuschinski Film Distribution (1971) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (as Nova)
• United Artists (1971) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1971) (Italy) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1971) (USA) (theatrical) (released thru) (as United Artists An MGM Company)
• United Artists (1971) (France) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1971) (Australia) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray) (Two-Disc Ultimate Edition)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (Australia) (DVD) (Special Edition)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (2006) (Argentina) (all media) (re-release)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1975) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Audio Visual Enterprises (????) (Greece) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (1983) (USA) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Gativideo (2006) (Argentina) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• Gativideo (2006) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-edited)
• Home Box Office (HBO) (1981) (USA) (TV) (cable television)
• MGM Home Entertainment (Europe) (2000) (UK) (DVD) (Special Edition)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1991) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• RCA (1981) (USA) (video) (Selectavision videodisc)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) (2006) (worldwide) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (UK) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• Warner Home Video (1983) (Australia) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)

Other Companies

• Mi Casa Multimedia  DVD audio restoration & mastering 5.1 (uncredited)
• Aston Martin Lagonda  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd)
• C.T.S. Studios  music recorded at (as C.T.S. Studios, London, England)
• Circus Circus  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as Circus Circus, City of Las Vegas)
• David Morris Jewellers  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of
• Dover Harbour Board  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Dover Harbour Board)
• Dunes Hotel, Casino and Country Club  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Dunes Hotel, City of Las Vegas)
• Ford Motor Company  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Ford Motor Company)
• Honda Motor Company  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of
• International Hotel, The  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The International Hotel, City of Las Vegas)
• Landmark Hotel, The  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Landmark Hotel, City of Las Vegas)
• Lowry Digital Images  pristine digital restoration by (as Lowry Digital Images a DTS company)
• Mint Hotel, The  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Mint Hotel, City of Las Vegas)
• P & O - Orient Lines  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as P & O Lines)
• Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Riviera Hotel, City of Las Vegas)
• Sands Regency Hotel & Casino  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Sands Hotel, City of Las Vegas)
• Tropicana Hotel, The  the producers gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of (as The Tropicana Hotel, City of Las Vegas)

Also Known As:

"Ian Fleming's Diamonds Are Forever" - UK (complete title), USA (complete title)

Runtime:

120 min | France:101 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | West Germany:16 (nf) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:12 | New Zealand:PG | UK:PG (tv rating) | USA:PG | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1971) | Peru:14 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (video rating) (1987) (1992) (2001) | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG (re-rating) (1994) | UK:A (original rating) (passed with cuts)

Filming Locations:

3rd Floor, Reguliersgracht 36, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Eon Productions

Trivia:

The distinctive Landmark Hotel can be seen briefly in the background of the Las Vegas gas station scene. It is the tower with saucer-shaped upper section visible behind 'Tiffany Case' as she delivers the "Forget it, Curly..." line. The Landmark was built in 1963, didn't open until 1969, and was imploded in 1995 to allow for an expansion of the adjacent Las Vegas Convention Center parking lot.

Goofs:

Continuity: The moon buggy, and the dirt trike chasing it, each lose a wheel, which is back on again later.

Quotes:

[first lines]
James Bond:[tossing Japanese man around] Where is he? I shan't ask you politely next time. Where is Blofeld?
Japanese man:Ca-Ca-Cairo.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Zodiac Killer (2005)

Soundtrack:

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

The franchise stops at this point, from here-on in Bonds are "cloned"

Well well, this one has really elicited some polarised opinion! Connery returned here for three principal reasons. Despite the box-office success of ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, Lazenby's post-production antics and monetary demands cost him a job. US actor John Gavin (mercifully) declined the role in this film and thirdly public demand and an offer he couldn't refuse (something to do with truck-loads of cash), induced Connery so slap on the old hairpiece once more! Looking visibly older, though not in any way detrimental to the role, Sean revels in what obviously (to him) was his swansong as 007. Almost a complete turnaround in style from his established mega-serious British Agent in his previous five outings, Bond is having FUN! Virtually a total send up of the entire franchise to date, Bond veritably dribbles double entendres unloading on the audience probably the rudest and funniest dialog of the series. Pick of the flick? "I'm Plenty O'Toole" to which Bond quips, "Named after your father are you?"

The plot is more or less made up as they went along and is just plain incidental to the Movie. Campy beyond belief, even to the extent of having a pair of confrontingly homosexual killers who bumble their way to annihilation at the film's conclusion. Most Bond purists choked on their martinis with the release of DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. The way to enjoy this one is to let it flow....don't compare it! Have no expectations and let Connery entertain you. One right out of the bag here. If you want it to fit a pre-conceived mould, you're in for a major disappointment. For God's sake how seriously could you take a Bond film starring singer Jimmy Dean, not to mention a couple of beefed up exquisitely proportioned female minders called Bambi and Thumper?

One of the Bonds that has improved with age AND multiple viewings. RIP James!