The cold open is great. Bond attends a funeral in Paris for a colonel in league with SPECTRE, but soon realises that the deceased is very much alive and posing as his widow. He trails him back to his château, kills him after a rough fight, and escapes his goons with a jetpack and his Aston Martin. James Bond with a jetpack. In 1965. That alone is worth a viewing.
Anyway, SPECTRE carries out a highly ambitious plot to steal two nuclear warheads from NATO, and hold them to ransom by threatening a major city in Britain or the USA. In response, MI6 mounts Operation Thunderball to recover them. Bond, who was on a rest period at a health clinic, is called in following an attempt on his life involving a spinal traction machine. After recognising a body at the clinic as a NATO commander, he travels to Nassau to find the man's sister Domino, the mistress of Emilio Largo, the SPECTRE agent behind the theft. Soon, the two are playing the deadly waltz of intrigue in the Bahamas.
I think about 40% of this film was shot underwater (let me know if I'm mistaken). The best set piece is the climax, featuring an underwater battle between SPECTRE divers and the US Navy aquaparas. Bond enters the fray this time with an underwater propulsion unit designed by Q. And taking place on the beach, there's plenty of fan service with both Connery and the girls of the week; Claudine Auger as Domino, and Luciana Paluzzi as the SPECTRE assassin and femme fatale Fiona Volpe. Adolfo Celi portrays Largo as a charming yet ruthless villain. He won't hesitate to execute those who fail him or attempt betrayal, preferably by feeding them to sharks. Not to mention he has a sweet boat, the Disco Volante.
Given the choice, I would rank this one quite highly. I especially like the opening song by Tom Jones. Rumours about his lung capacity aside, the lyrics being a summary of James Bond's character is a very nice touch.
Right, I'll see you next time. Over and out.
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