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| 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 | |
| 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 J. 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) | |
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) | |
| Margaret Miller | .... | assistant editor (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| John Barry | .... | conductor | |
| John Barry | .... | music arranger | |
| 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 | .... | main title designed by | |
| 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) | |
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| On Her Majesty's Secret Service | Thunderball | For Your Eyes Only | Moonraker | Dr. No |
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| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Action section | IMDb UK section |
Sean Connery made it clear during the filming of "You Only Live Twice" that he was sick of playing James Bond. After four years, 1.25 million dollars, an agreement to receive one-eighth of the film's gross profit, and a commitment to finance two additional projects of his choice, Connery returned for another spin as the world's deadliest government agent. Sadly, the man who electrified the world for six years returned for a problematic movie that at best is a disappointment and at worst a large black stain on his legacy.
Many of the problems that drown "Diamonds Are Forever" show up in the opening minutes. It begins where "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" ends. Bond is on the revenge trail following the murder of his wife. Connery's face remains hidden to raise anticipation, but when it finally appears, my reaction is shock.
At one time he looked like the handsome, debonair ladies man he is supposed to be, but at 41, Connery has outlived the part. He has more wrinkles, his eyes have darkened with age, he is getting fatter, and his hair is grayer. I once watched a clip online of a scene where he is standing next to Q, played by Desmond Llewelyn, who was 56 years old with white hair. I initially mistook him for one of Q's assistants.
"From Russia with Love" displayed Connery at his best. In every possible way, he made the part his own with an authority neither he nor the five actors following him have since been able to equal. This time he was just doing it for the money, and it shows. In "Goldfinger," he said "Bond, James Bond" with focus and cool. Here, it is delivered with unexpressive staccato. When he is ordered to put up his hands, moves them to the side like a man bored with being bored.
Diamond smuggling out of South Africa has risen over the past two years. Since no smuggled stones have reached the market, the British government fears somebody may be accumulating them in preparation for a market dump. A string of recent murders in South Africa leads them to fear that operations are being shut down, leaving them little time to bust the smugglers. James Bond is sent undercover as smuggler Peter Franks. His mission takes him to the casinos of Las Vegas, where he discovers the involvement of his old enemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Charles Gray).
Gray is another problem evident from the beginning. Blofeld is supposed to be bald, but even if Gray was bald he would not remotely look or sound the part. In "From Russia with Love," Blofeld seemed like a god. Gray is not imposing, and seeing the mighty Blofeld dressing as a transvestite is the worst insult in the series. For the ignominious title of worst Bond villain, Gray loses to Stephen Berkoff from "Octopussy," but barely.
When Bond finally discovers Blofeld, how does he react? He indulges in polite conversation. The movie forgets that Bond is speaking to the man who callously murdered his own wife, and that Blofeld is addressing the man who broke his neck.
Another huge minus is the general lack of excitement. It has a good start with an intense elevator fight between Bond and the real Peter Franks. If you see this film, which I strongly discourage, savor that fight, because "Diamonds" becomes pretty anemic afterwards. The remainder lacks intrinsic interest or excitement. Aside from a slick nighttime street chase, the little action that is left looks fake and slow. When Bond is faced with trouble, what does he do? He runs, preferably in a phony moon machine. From start to finish, he does not fire a single bullet. Adding insult is the cheap climax. Six years earlier, this franchise won a visual effects Oscar. Now they are reduced to creating nuclear explosions that look like puffs of smoke. Connery's salary supposedly slashed the special effects budget even though the franchise made over a 400 million dollar profit since "Goldfinger." Two musicians are cast in supporting roles. Imagine "Quantum of Solace" casting Garth Brooks and Wynton Marsalis. Ironically, it is country singer Jimmy Dean who brings the most convincing act to the table. Jill St. John and Lana Wood are wasted as the bimbo and harlot, respectively. Mr. Wint (Bruce Glover) and Mr. Kidd (Putter Smith) are the gay hit men who don't know each other's first names, and the best I can say about them is that they die entertainingly.
"Diamonds Are Forever" marked the beginning of sad decade for Agent 007. Were it not for "The Spy Who Loved Me," the series likely would have died. A movie with shoddy writing, substandard acting, misplaced atmosphere and bad characters cannot succeed. Diamonds slowly decay into other forms of carbon, so they are not truly forever. Neither is Sean Connery.