One of Sean Connery’s most memorable outings as 007 is back on TV this weekend, giving fans a chance to revisit the glamour, danger and globe-trotting adventure that helped define the Bond legacy.
Airing on ITV1 this Sunday, Diamonds Are Forever sees Connery return to the role of James Bond after a one-film hiatus.
Originally released in 1971, the film marked his sixth official appearance as the British secret agent and his final Bond performance in the Eon Productions series until a later non-canon return in Never Say Never Again (1983).
This time around, Bond is tasked with uncovering the mystery behind a global diamond smuggling operation. His mission takes him from Amsterdam to Las Vegas, where he uncovers a sinister plot involving his longtime nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, played here by Charles Gray.
As usual, the action is laced with gadgets, glamorous accomplices, and double-crosses – all set against the opulent backdrop of casinos, desert labs, and secret lairs.
Diamonds Are Forever also introduced a more tongue-in-cheek tone than earlier instalments, with campy villains like henchmen Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, and plenty of dry wit delivered in Connery’s signature style. Lana Wood and Jill St. John join the cast as Bond girls, with the latter playing the brash and bold Tiffany Case, who quickly becomes entangled in Bond’s mission.
It was also the last Bond film to be directed by Guy Hamilton, who later returned to helm Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun.
The film was a major box office hit, grossing over $116 million worldwide, and it continued the Bond tradition of memorable theme songs, this time performed by Shirley Bassey in one of her most iconic vocal performances. The track has since become a staple in her live repertoire and a signature Bond anthem.
Though it received mixed reviews at the time of release, with some critics questioning its lighter tone, the film has since become a fan favourite for its classic Bond charm, bold production design, and Connery’s undeniable screen presence.
It also marks the end of an era – Connery’s swansong in the original Bond timeline, and the last glimpse of the franchise before Roger Moore took over the role.
For those looking to indulge in a bit of cinematic nostalgia this weekend, Diamonds Are Forever will be on ITV1 this Sunday at 2:10pm.