10 Times James Bond Films Were Better Than The Books

4. Bond And Blofeld’s First Encounter

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is one of the finest novels in the Bond canon and sees 007 come face to face with his arch nemesis for the first time. While the encounter is key to the plot, and one that is faithfully translated to the big screen in George Lazenby’s one and only flick as Bond (Something which created a plot hole as the two had already met in the films), it isn’t quite as effective as their first meeting in the film You Only Live Twice.

By that point in the film series the audience are well aware of who Blofeld is, a faceless man emoted by his white Persian cat and keeping his agents at SPECTRE in line with the threat of death for failure. The formula continues for You Only Live Twice until Bond is captured in the iconic volcano lair and brought to the control room to meet Number One.

“James Bond. Allow me to introduce myself”

And thus he sits up from his chair and both Bond and the audience react in the same way upon seeing the bald, scarred man glaring down the camera with a piercing stare. It’s an iconic way to officially bring Blofeld into the fold of the cinematic Bond’s rogues' gallery.

Just ignore the fact the way it’s shot meant that Blofeld emerges from behind his bodyguard’s crotch.