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MI6 Review: James Bond - Sideshow
Collectibles
In April 1968, producers of the six 007 films needed a
new James Bond. Out of hundreds hopefuls a 28 year-old Australian
passed his screen test, in which he broke stuntman Yuri
Borienko’s nose. His name was George Lazenby. In January
2003, Sideshow Collectibles added a new 12 inch Bond figure
of George Lazenbey, based on his only outing as 007 in "On
Her Majesty’s Secret Service."
Sideshow
Collectibles, founded in 1994, has been exclusively
licensed to create a line of 12" collectible figures
in the likeness of all five Bond actors, key villains and
some of the famous women. MI6 reviews the Sideshow Collectibles
figures...
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James Bond - George Lazenby
Item No: 7709R
Size: 12 inch (304mm)
Weight: 3.00 lbs (1.30 Kg)
Units: N/A
Artist: Oluf W. Hartvigson
Released: January 2003
Order
Online - Sideshow Collectibles
Official Description
N/A
Accessories
George Lazenby is secret agent James Bond. Bond
comes with the signature blue suit from the movie's gun
battle finale, a Sterling machine gun, the standard 9MM
Walther PPK, and cold weather gloves.
Right: The front box art.
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Accessories
Bond is equipped with two accessories, the first being an Armalite
Machine Gun from the final showdown between the commandos and
Blofeld’s men. The Armalite is made up of four components.
Each is well formed but three of the four lack any detailing.
The clip has been created separately so it can be added for full
effect. A single brass coloured bullet is visible at the top of
the clip. A cloth strip fastens to the Armalite allowing it to
be slung over the figure. The Armalite itself has been sculpted
to a high level but lacks any painted detail. Flashing is visible
running the full length of the machine gun. Finally the extended
shoulder rest can be folded back onto the weapon, or removed for
carrying. Only the right hand is needed to hold the machine gun
correctly.
The second and final accessory is a standard pistol that also
can be gripped by the figure's right hand. The Walther pistol
is a standard Bond accessory from Sideshow.
Above: Reverse box art. |
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Packaging
Sporting the USA sheet poster on the front of the box, the
internal flap features images from the opening credits of
the 1969 film. ‘The Mission’ text briefly summarises
the seventh Bond adventure, and a listing of the primary
cast is present as with all the Bond figures packaging in
the range. The outer faces of the box are high quality.
The back gives a brief history of one-time Bond lead Lazenby.
Six stills split the rear in half, and the face is finished
off with ‘The Bond Gadgets’, ‘Villain’
(which looks at Telly Savalas career and shows his figure)
and finally ‘Bond Girl’ (which looks at Bond’s
true love Tracy Di Vincenzo).
Printed on the tray is a faint gun barrel that can be found
across the range. The included stand is affixed to the back
of the removable tray, and once removed the stand can’t
be replace securely.
Sculpting
Sideshow’s fourth Bond figure is the first sculpted
by Hartvigson. Their first and only Lazenby 12” has
a striking resemblance to the second Bond. Using Sideshow’s
well established body, additional detail can be found on
the head and gloved hands.
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The figure’s hands are black and sculpted to give the illusion
of gloved hands. Both gloves have been sculpted to a high degree,
and all the join lines lie on seam lines. There is no visible
flashing on either hand. The gloves have been fully detailed with
contours and short extensions that extend out over the wrist joint.
The figure’s right hand is posed allowing it to hold either
of the guns. However, the left hand can only support the strap
or clip for the machine gun.
Oluf W. Hartvigson has created a strong resemblance to Lazenby’s
007, with his sharp looks and perfect hair. Crease lines can be
seen on the figure’s forehead. Upon closer inspection small
amounts of flashing can be seen running ear to ear.
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The gloves and boots have received small amounts of silver
detailing for snow studs on the soles of the boots and modelled
poppers on the gloves. The rest of the detailing can be
found on the figure’s head. Dark brown hair and eyebrows
are well formed with strong lines, however bleed is visible
around both the ears and sideburns.
Lots of contrast has been added to the skin with highlights
and darker tones on the face to help extenuate the sculpted
lines. The ears lower the quality of detailing and appear
to have been rushed. The eyes - as with all Sideshow figures
- are clear and well detailed.
Articulation
Using Sideshow's well established sixth scale male body,
Bond has all the movement you would expect to place him
in the classic James Bond poses. The loose fitting two piece
suit allows for full range of movement. Featuring tight
fitting joints from the head, neck, ball jointed shoulders,
chest, cut biceps, double-jointed elbows, and wrists. The
waist down with a twistable waist, hips, thighs, and knees.
The figure’s boots restricts the movement of the ankles.
Outfit
Bond sports his commando suit from the final battle between
Bond and Blofeld and their men. 007 wears a blue two-piece
ski suit and the trousers have elasticised leg ends and
a popper for the waist. Getting elastic over the boots can
be a little fiddly. 007 also has a pair of black socks which
are well fitted and stay up easily. Under the pullover jacket
there is a white polo neck made from the same material as
the socks. It is well fitted and is just visible around
the neckline.
Bond’s pullover jacket fits the body well, and it
has a loose elastic waistband. The wrists have been fitted
tightly and are fixed with no give. The detailed breast
pockets could have been fully affixed to the jacket to stop
curling. The only real failing of the costume is the hood,
which when unworn the proportions seam fine, but once the
hood has been put on it’s evident that it is far too
large for the figure’s head.
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Accessories
Sterling Machine Gun
9MM Walther PPK
Overall
If you are a collector of Sideshow’s Bond series,
and this being the only Lazenby figure currently available,
it’s recommend to complete the set of 007s.
The figure is let down by the lack of non-weapon accessories
and a poorly fitted jacket and stand. With the stand being
fix to the tray removing it becomes a messy undertaking.
Hartvigson has created a striking resemblance that could
be slightly refined if Sideshow were to issue a new Lazenby
007 figure.
With some unique costume choices available to them, hopefully
a new Lazenby is not to far away.
MI6 Rating
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Related Articles
OHMSS MI6 Movie Coverage
George Lazenby - James Bond
Images courtesy Sideshow
Collectibles. Original content is copyright mi6-hq.com ©
1998-2005.
Bond materials © Danjaq and United
Artists. Bond trademarks ™ Danjaq.
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