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You Only Live Twice
1967 117 min United Kingdom, United States of America PG 12+
★6.9
Action, Thriller, Adventure
Director: Lewis Gilbert
📖 Based on the novel
«You Only Live Twice»
byIan Fleming
Trailers
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EN
EN
Description
A mysterious spacecraft captures Russian and American space capsules and brings the two superpowers to the brink of war. James Bond investigates the case in Japan and comes face to face with his archenemy Blofeld.
Budget:
$9.5M
US Gross:
$43.08M
Worldwide:
$111.6M
Starring
Sean Connery
Actor
Akiko Wakabayashi
Actor
Mie Hama
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1968
— Best Production Design (Color)
Key opinion
You Only Live Twice is widely remembered as an iconic but transitional entry that shifted the Bond franchise toward a more stylized, grand-scale spectacle. While many critics and fans admire its exotic Japanese setting and imaginative production design, others note that the film's move toward cartoonish tropes and its reliance on implausible plot devices marked a departure from the grit of earlier entries.
| Production | The Japanese setting provides a visually stunning and exotic backdrop that remains a standout feature of the film. | |
| Acting | Sean Connery delivers a charismatic, iconic performance, though some viewers feel he appears increasingly detached compared to his earlier outings. | |
| Direction | The film marks a clear pivot toward a lighter, more ironic tone that prioritizes spectacle and gadgets over the grounded, logical espionage of its predecessors. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure suffers from a transition from an engaging mystery into a series of predictable and underwhelming action set pieces. | |
| Originality | The decision to disguise Bond as a Japanese man is widely criticized as a distracting and jarring creative choice. |