20 Things You Didn't Know About Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

18. “I’ve Been Aching To Give It A Try!”

Diamonds Are Forever Moon
MGM/UA

Following Desmond Llewelyn’s slightly expanded role as Q in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the MI6 tech boffin was given an even greater role in Diamonds Are Forever, travelling to Las Vegas to assist Double-0 Seven in the field.

Q is initially seen in his workshop on the telephone to James Bond whilst his technicians lower missiles into the engine space of a 1969 Aston Martin DBS in the background.

Due to the budgetary constraints caused by Sean Connery’s salary for returning as Double-0 Seven, it was not practical for production designer, Sir Ken Adam to build even a partial soundstage set for the fleeting glimpse of Q’s laboratory. The producers turned to Aston Martin Lagonda, which granted them permission to film at their facility in Newport Pagnell near Milton Keynes.

Diamonds Are Forever also features the only Bond gadget that Desmond Llewelyn actually wished was real: the Electromagnetic RPM Controller that Q uses to empty the slot machines at The Whyte House Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

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I started writing for WhatCulture in July 2020. I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I have contributed to several short story competitions and I have occasionally been fortunate enough to have my work published. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I also started reviewing films on my Facebook page. Numerous friends and contacts suggested that I should start my own website for reviewing films, but I wanted something a bit more diverse - and so here I am! My interests focus on film and television mainly, but I also occasionally produce articles that venture into other areas as well. In particular, I am a fan of the under appreciated sequel (of which there are many), but I also like the classics and the mainstream too.