James Bond fans are in for a treat tonight as ITV4 broadcasts the 1967 classic 'You Only Live Twice', featuring Sean Connery's return as the iconic secret agent. The film is often hailed by enthusiasts as an underrated gem in the Bond franchise.
The plot sees Bond investigating the mysterious hijacking of American and Soviet spacecraft, a crisis that threatens to spark World War III. After faking his death, he travels to Japan, where he teams up with the Japanese Secret Service to thwart a SPECTRE plot led by the infamous Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
The screenplay was penned by Roald Dahl, and the film is noted for its impressive sets, including a volcano lair designed by Ken Adam that cost approximately $1 million—nearly the entire budget of the first Bond film, 'Dr. No'. The cast includes Tetsuro Tamba, Teru Shimada, Akiko Wakabayashi, Mie Hama, Karin Dor, and Donald Pleasence as Blofeld.
Viewers have praised the film on Rotten Tomatoes, with one calling it a “crowning achievement” and noting that it is “the first James Bond film to discard most of Ian Fleming's plot in favor of an entirely new story”. Another said: “Sean Connery is a perfect fit for the role of James Bond.”
Despite some critics noting Connery's waning enthusiasm for the role, the film remains popular for its action sequences, special effects, and Nancy Sinatra's iconic theme song. 'You Only Live Twice' airs tonight on ITV4 at 9pm.
