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...


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.

 

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.
 

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.

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.

Painting
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.

 

 

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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