Recapping 007 #5 - You Only Live Twice (1967) (Review) 

Fun fact: in this film Dwayne The Rock Johnson grandfather Peter Maivia plays a car driver who fights Bond in one scene

To me, Bond in that japanese disguise always looked like Spock

Fun Fact: The volcano used as the SPECTRE lair for filming 'You Only Live Twice" in Japan recently erupted.

R.I.P. 007 AKA Sean Connery 1930-2020 gone but not forgotten a true legend may your legacy live on forever.

11:09 Tiger Tanaka's aide is played by Masaaki Hatsumi who advised the production on ninjas and their arts. He is a real ninja grandmaster, founder of the Bujinkan martial arts school. Last year, he passed the reins of some of the ninja-specific stuff to Takumi Tsutsui -- who has played ninja in several Japanese films.

I love this movie. The opening is so chilling! The Bond song is one of my favourites and sombre, the setting of Japan is nice with the mountains and lore, the volcano lair is epic and something very rare for movies plus the action was great fun, the helicopter scene, the massive ninja battle and the car chase. The ninja and samurai scenes reminded me of Kill Bill, another one of my all time favourite movies. Blofeld also looked sinister indeed and the plot was also fun and world involving!

Fun fact: The driver that Sean Connery fights at Osato’s office is played by Peter Maivia, the maternal grandfather of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Aki's death always saddened and pissed me off.

The king is dead. Sean Connery 25 August 1930 - 31 October 2020 May his memory live forever.

Karin Dor (Number 11) just died this month. RIP dear.

I used to think this one was as dull as dishwater,but recently rewatching them all in order I really loved it.I would actually call it more Classic Bond than Goldfinger. Plus Connery isn’t half as bad as people say,he’s actually really great.

I'm not sure why they even tried to make Sean Connery look Asian. He doesn't look Asian at all. But he does look like a Vulcan without the ears.

20:36 Akiko Wakabayashi played Aki, and I find her much more attractive than Kissy.

The joke is that the Japanese never say " I love you" to each other. Even between husband and wife. It may have changed recently but not in the 1960's

After the borefest that was Thunderball, You Only Live Twice was a very welcomed change. I don't understand the "too fantastical" criticisms. I understand those feelings when it comes to films like Moonraker, but this film was set in Japan so of course it was going to be fantastical. No one thinks of Japan as "that boring sedentary country that likes rice", but rather "that country with all the really cool hi-tech stuff like bullet trains". This movie is basically a weeaboos fantasy, and this was decades before such a thing even existed. People complain about Akiko and Mie's English, but Bond's Japanese was far worse. There are lots of subtle jokes that one would only understand if they've studied Japanese, such as the whole "I love you" bit. I'm really surprised they included all that stuff in a movie intended for english audiences. Anyways, I personally include this Bond film in my top 5 for being so iconic.

Fun Fact : The driver who transport disguised Bond to Osato Chemicals is played by a grandfather od Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Can anyone explain why Blofeld went to so much trouble to keep his base hidden, but then draws attention by trying to kill anyone who goes near it?

My favorite Bond movie.

I admire your resisting temptation to make a million Austin Powers jokes

Great reviews. Love your mention of Thunderbirds and Shane Rimmer (Scott Tracy). Very memorable voice. I know he was Tom in DAF, voiced Hamilton in LALD and Cmdr Carter (his biggest role) in TSWLM. In that shot you also had Ed Bishop. Captain Blue in Captain Scarlet, Ed Straker in UFO and Claus Hergescheimer (?) in DAF. David Healy (‘Houston to Washington’ in YOLT & ‘This is a real honour Mr White’ in DAF) was a voice artist in Captain Scarlet, Shane Weston in Joe 90 and an appearance in UFO. Lois Maxwell was the voice of Atlanta Shore in Stingray. Jeremy Wilkin was Virgil Tracy, Thunderbirds Series 2, Films, Captain Ochre in Scarlet, some voices in Joe 90 and Secret Service then UFO before Captain Forsyth in TSWLM.Geoffrey Keen (Freddie Grey) was a voice artist in Thunderbird 6.Roger Moore always believed Captain Scarlet was modelled after him...Bond Films & Gerry Anderson shows (fan of both) were two great institutions of the 60s and a lot of actors worked on both.

I actually like this one better than Thunderball. Underwater scenes got me bored in Thunderball and I spent a good part of the movie wondering of they really hurt sharks while shooting (and apparently they did?) because it looked so real at times. You Only Live Twice on the other hand has some elements that make it subjectively more appealing to me. I like the South Asia setting in general, and Japan even more. I love the music theme. For sure the movie goes over the top with the mandatory secret base scene at the end but the scene does not last too much and it was slowly built up by the investigation part that I find enjoyable. And of course, Japanase women are hot, which helps :)

By 20:41 I am CRYING with laughter! 🤣🤣 @DutchBondFan You've outdone yourself with the hilarious humor in this one!! My favorite Bond film as it's just so classic and set the style of what we think of with classic Bond. And Barry's beautiful soaring strings in the elegant theme music is absolutely phenomenal. Great review so much fun watching this!

"You Only Live Twice" was a pretty good. I like Japan locations, the mountains, and the cultural backgrounds were beautiful. The premise is just about Bond's mission is to find the missing rockets where was lead by SPECTRE's main villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld in Japan. At least Connery tried his best as Bond character before he left out the series before he came back in only one movie in 1971. Blofeld was a pretty memorable villain since they parodied him from Dr. Claw from "Inspector Gadget" and Dr. Evil from "Austin Powers" series. The only letdown is how ridiculous that they made Bond as whitewash Asian bachelor and rather see Aki in this movie because she's so beautiful and fascinating until they killed her off instead they get Kissy Suzuki which she's a pretty good Bond girl. I like how Bond treated respects for Japanese women instead of being a forceful abusive spy since latest films, but it turns out to be good. The action scenes were good, and the ending climax was pretty impressive. Overall, a pretty good spy movie. Thanks, Roald Dahl who wrote the screenplay, so he wouldn't write something about "Charle and the Chocolate Factory" references.

9:10 bond goes outside 9:21 bond remembers to put on the mask You only live twice has aged well Bond is roll model!

I'm planning on cycling to the village where the wedding took place this summer. They even erected a monument memorizing the filiming of the movie.

This is my favorite bond movie.

_"Bond actually died so this is the only Bond movie to star Felix instead"_ I'm now officially your fan.

7:42 Money Penny looks hot in that cute, little navy outfit.

Still my favorite Bond film after all this time.

The best of all John Barry scores, despite being one of the lesser Bond movies.

I've always loved this movie!

Bond's Asian makeup comes off his face when he jumps over the side of the boat in the cave. I think you can see it's definitely a hairpiece when he's swimming underwater. Anyway, that's the last shot you see him with the makeup.

One of my favourite recaps by you. Also the actor who represents the British in the world secret meeting at 5:58 is from the same small town as me.

Millenium is my favorite song of all time. Remember hearing it as a little kid and have loved it ever since. The music and video are all Bond inspired

Love the commentary. Well done.

Was waiting for this! Keep up the good work! Love the reviews

25:14 i like how you don't go in a rant, you just question and moving on

the best Blofeld is in this one!!!!!!! wish the other movies have more of the great Donald Plaseance (sorry if i wrote that wrong) :)

If someone took a picture of me when I'm taking a dump, I sure as hell would turn down making another movie too

Sean Connery was send to Japan after world war two he help to rebuild her he stay for two years he. Can talk in Japanese because of it

You are doing a great job on reviewing and evaluating these great movies. your tone of voice, attention to the details and mistakes , background and history of the James Bond stories are very proffessional. I salute you. I saw Dr.No in 1964 when I Was in 10th grade in Rasht, Iran. A friend and I tok off from school to see the early show time10:30 Am. I started collecting all the James Bond movies which i play them on my vacation spare time when no other entertainment is available.. I will call you Maestro.

He was only 37 when this came out, he looks closer to 47.

Nice recap! I agree with you a lot! I also grew up with the 90s rerun of the thunderbirds, but i never knew Shane Rimmer was Scot Tracy's voice! Thanks!

16:39 FOUR enemy helicopters, not three. Hehe I love wiseassing on the internet :) And I love your bond recaps.

Hey, Man from Sneek! I love these vids you've put out. Very insightful as well as hilarious. Keep up the good work!

You Only Live Twice James Bond: 8/10 Bond Girls: 8/10 Bond Villians and Muscles: 8/10 Action: 8/10 Story: 8/10 8/10 "You Only Live Twice" felt like a Japanese lore of adventurous and enjoyment. Felt like a Miyazaki anime of wonders and the culture of Japanese style and having James Bond facing a arch nemesis, Blofled became the icon of Spectre's battle rival.

"you just can't get away with a menacing villain stroking his white cat" Oh boy wait until you see Spectre

definitely in my top 3...Donald Pleasance, one of John Barry's best scores and favourite bond girl Akiko Wakabayashi...love it

Super Technology! Hai! Lol I like that you have funny quips about every Bond movie you review. Keep up the good work man.

Super Technology!!! 😅

thanks so much for these reviews! you give me so many laughs!

very good review i love this movie its a great big epic , lots of intrigue , plenty of wow moments, a lot of absurdness but hey unlike Thunderball its never boring, , and the music is superb throughout the final scenes are just superb too, plenty on the actionmeter, Id say its the one where i always come back too. great way to spend two hours

Very good commentary! This is one of my favorite Bond movies, but I acknowledge the holes in the plot. It's easy to take potshots at this film, but it was quite something at the time when it premiered.

Great video!! The ariel of the fishing village in the video, I had the opportunity to visit while in Japan last year. One of my favorite Bond movies.

24:25 "We need Japanese cars for the set!" "Nah, let's take...a Mini Moke, and...screw it, ask Carl if we can borrow his tractor."

20:30 I don't always think that the Bond girls have to kick ass, but I preferred Aki to Kissy, so I think killing her in the movie was a mistake. This is also where the movie starts to go a bit wrong to me. Connery definitely seems a bit bored in the second half, he is much better in the previous one (Thunderball). Great song though.

Charles Grey at 8:44 is also the same actor who played Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever

Ha I'm back home and comfortable, listening to my favourite bond fan! Love your work my friend and you make a hard day at work REALLY relaxing to come home too!!!!

Ha. Your Connery impression sounds like Bane. And Ken Adams is the God of set production design

I just found your channel. Very entertaining! I know that imply that you are Dutch, but you sound Like you are from Philly. You make me laugh and I pretty much agree with your humor! As kids, we used to read each book then discuss how the movie played out vs the book. We also had big arguments about the order the books came out (we could have read the title page!) Now 50 years later, there is no way that I will miss seeing new Bond films. Doesn't matter if they are worse than some of the Bond films! Great job! SJ

Oh man, I've been waiting for this! This film is probably my 4th or 5th favourite Bond film :)

Great narration! I felt as I were there!

Another great review ! Lost it on your wedding comments !😂😂😂

Happy 50th anniversary, You Only Live Twice. This is the first Bond movie that I think of that is best described as a fun, and great adventure. I don't care when Bond becomes Japanese, or care that much of Kissy. Did I mention Helga is really hot?

the first interracial love scend

i gotta admit I burst out laughing when Bond watches the car on a monitor get dropped into the ocean. As a child, you just accept all of it without thinking about it.

Loving the series man. You gotta lot of facts about the bondaverse that I never knew and I love it. Keep it up 💪

Another fun recap. You have mentioned so many fun bits of trivia I never knew about all these Bond movies; I finally have one you didn't mention in this recap -- that actor fighting Connery in the scene you said was good with Connery picking up the couch to use as a weapon, is the grandfather of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The Rock says his grandfather was also a wrestler-turned-actor who he admired.

Agree 100% about Blofeld. Pleasance was a fine actor but miscast. For several movies Blofeld was a very sinister guy behind a screen and now to see this funny looking little man is like pulling back the curtain on the Wizard of Oz.

I think this has become my favorite Bond film. It’s so much fun and the Japanese setting is beautiful.

I love the theme song. Great strings. Chills! As a kid watching it on ABC I felt bad for the astronaut left in space in the beginning of the 🎥

Great review, you only live twice is my all time personal favourite bond film, It was the first bond film that I ever watched I was about 8 when I saw it and looking at it now, sure it has its flaws, but overall it's perfect Escapism, its an Adventure fantasy and it succeeds in what it sets out to do "Entertain" The sets are great, the Action and Gadgets are cool, the music is some of John Barry's finest, Tanaka is a likable ally and Connery despite having a few weak moments in his performance, still delivers the goods, he seems more involved in the action scenes too.

At 5:28 the diplomat wearing glasses is David Bauer, who also played Morton Slumber in Diamonds Are Forever. At 11:57 asian bath girl (Mai Ling) wearing pink bra played private stewardess in Goldfinger. A very memorable movie especially thanks to Little Nelly the autogyro.

I like your comical/sarcastic commentary; what we call in England 'dry' humour.

You Only Live Twice is by far my favourite Connery Bond film! The Japanese atmosphere, John Barrys' amazing soundtrack and the volcano set really put this film high up into my list! It's so different from every single other Bond flick! Blofelds' reveal is also great even though Telly Savalas is my favourite Blofeld of all. I have to disagree that the Bondgirls are the weakest. They're so extremely nice, friendly and very cute and because of that, they're one of my favourites from the series. I also like Nancy Sinatras theme song and the helicopter chase which has the official Bond theme in the background. Unfortunately you don't get that often in the franchise. But still, You Only Live Twice is a solid entrance to the series and it's in my top 10 list! It’s in my opinion the Bond film with the absolute best cinematography by a long range! I'd give it an 9/10.

Outside of the whole “you must become Japanese” part I think this was a pretty decent Bond flick One thing I really love about it was that Toho Studios helped make this movie. I grew up on Godzilla so it was cool to recognize some of the names in the cast.

The one major flaw I found with You Only Live Twice is the lack of a strong female lead. There was no reason to have Aki and Kissy as two characters other than the decree to Roald Dahl to follow the so-called Bond formula. In the end Aki came off like the beauty queen (Vanessa Williams) who couldn't complete her reign and Kissy is the runner-up (Suzette Charles) who carry on the film to the end.

Aaaand another little thing: The guy who's giving Tanaka the photograph in the train is actually Masaaki Hatsumi, a ninjutsu master, still alive, 87 years old and quite fit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaaki_Hatsumi

Finally we meet Ernst Stavro Blofeld, an excellent Donald Pleasence.

I wonder why Ling in the opening scene didn’t even get a credit. Aki and kissy were both very beautiful and charming in the film.

I love You Only live twice. The best Spectre film

I found lots of small things that made the film enjoyable. "I give you very best duck." The white sports car is a beauty. The shoes with the white tops. @10:20 that fall forward looks like a face plant...ouch. The Tiger persona. There are more and overall (apart from the absurd attempt to make Bond Japanese) I give it a solid thumbs up.

I recently starting view your Jame Bond movie reviews. I have to admit I find this review the best one yet..

This film also inspired many countries like Europe (Eurospy) and Japan (Ironfinger)

No franchise has such an effect on the audience and commanded such a fan base

i think this was the first film i ever saw featuring ninjas , its a good film with a cracking title song and the one of my favourite scenes its where they are the docks and being chased by the henchmen and bond is knocking them down left right and center and then diving of the roof on to some boxes great stuff. great review sir thumbs up.

I saw this movie three times in one day back in 1967. As a kid I loved it and still think it holds up pretty well. In the novel, Kissy and Bond have a son. It would be interesting if the future Bond films add this to the story line.

"And we get a happy ending" Relieved they cut that shot.

No way is Aki a weak link....she is one of the best Bond girls

Love your posts. I always enjoy your opinions, insights, and humour. This bond outing is probably my favorite. I just need to mention why i love the scene where bond is transformed into a japanese. I understand that the scene does not advance the plot and bond looks silly in the disguise, but...The set is beautiful with only a table in the large room. The white screen behind the actors gives another worldly effect. The idea of transforming one's appearance like a chameleon is very exciting. Lastly, the women in their two piece outfits make it even more appealing. Love all of your entries. Keep up the great work!

Fun Fact: The two Bond girls in *"YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE":* Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama, also starred in a couple of kaiju films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. and directed by Ishirō Honda. Akiko was in the third Godzilla film: *"King Kong vs Godzilla"* (1962) and the fifth Godzilla film: *"Three Giant Monsters: Earth's Greatest Battle"* also known as *"Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster"* (1967). Mie also was in *"King Kong vs Godzilla"* and Toho's second & last Kong film: *"King Kong's Counterattack"* also known as *"King Kong Escapes"* (1967). Also for the Japanese dub of *"YOLT",* Akiko was dubbed by Kazue Komiya for the 1978 TBS (Tokyo Broadcast System) edition. Interestingly, Mie Hama and Tetsurō Tamba spoke in Japanese for the 1978 TBS edition, but for the 2006 DVD edition, they were both revoiced by Sanae Kobayashi and Takashi Taniguchi.

Oh my God, Wood Alan ans James Bond? It doesn't even sound right, in a comedy spoof!! One thing I always enjoy with your Bond series, is not only the back ground information, but also the different pictures & video footage from the different time frames, as well as behind the scenes stuff. very cool! I also like some of your comedy better than Bonds funny lines - Like the part about the safe, and the "Super & SONY Technology" stuff, Nice creativity!!!! I do like the fact that Helga has to do her makeup, BEFORE she jumps out of the plan! Once again, you make another Bond movie even more entertaining than the movie itself Jeroen! I know you spend alot of time writing & planning these, and it always pays off. Awesome job as always!

My all time favorite Bond film, and the hands down best opening song.

Excellent Review. Simply Brilliant

There was a Japanese movie parody inspired by James Bond known as International Secret Police (Kokusai Himitsu Keisatsu) starring Tatsuya Mihashi as Agent Jiro Kitami which was ran from 1963-1967

I really liked this one too . I am having fun watching the videos. Again thanks for posting .

YOLT has two of the most iconic scenes in film: When Bond sees Kissy for the first time and the great John Barry delivers; and again in the sunrise with the ama girls -- the YOLT intro, a classic by itself. Nearly every scene is punctuated with either/and iconic Bond and the Barry music. Add Tiger, nearly the equal of Bond in both lines and charisma (with hilarious dubbed voice), Aki and Kissy "You forget, you give false name to priest," Fleming's vision of bigger than life Japan, ninjas, volcano HQ, villains at top of their Shakespearean form (Blofeld, No. 11, Mr. Osato), the most entertaining fight in Osato's beautiful office (hats off to Ken Adams, set hero -- and this is the Bond film that's both fun with every viewing. I watched it with a beautiful Japanese girl, and she laughed at the old Tokyo. Btw, when Bond is fleeing in the lobby of Osato's HQ, the guard yells, "Hey, what are you doing?"

Classic film, amazing sets ,score and cast , elements of humour to offset the violence, another epic . So many memorable scenes. Dutch BondFans comments are valid he obviously really likes this film. His commentary is very good and his observations are correct.

bond dies in pre title sequence again in skyfall of course only to wake up after title sequence

Little Nellie was based on the Wallis WA-116 Agile, a British autogyro used for reconnaissance purposes.