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What's After the Movie?
Biographical comedy

Becoming Bond (2017): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Becoming Bond (2017) movie poster

Becoming Bond is a 2017 biographical comedy directed by Josh Greenbaum, starring George Lazenby, Josh Lawson and James Walsh. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
Echo Score
76
Metascore
65
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Becoming Bond (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Josh Greenbaum
Genres
Biography , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Hulu
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Becoming Bond About?

The premise of Becoming Bond without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In an extraordinary turn of events, George Lazenby, an Australian mechanic with no prior acting experience, was cast as James Bond in *On Her Majesty's Secret Service*. This unexpected choice led to a brief but memorable portrayal of the iconic spy. What followed was even more surprising: Lazenby declined a lucrative seven-film contract and a substantial bonus, challenging expectations and forging his own path away from the role.

Becoming Bond Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • london england
  • secret agent
  • james bond spoof scene
  • espionage
  • british intelligence
  • tuxedo
  • spying
  • beard
  • intelligence agent
  • year 1969
  • snow
  • switzerland
+38 more
  • canberra
  • queanbeyan
  • male model
  • australian capital territory
  • hippie
  • baby
  • film publicity
  • press junket
  • film director
  • casting
  • casting agent
  • audition
  • fight scene
  • movie director
  • director
  • film producer
  • movie producer
  • producer
  • gun barrel walk
  • bag of money
  • anecdote
  • movie star
  • film actor
  • car salesman
  • salesman
  • acting
  • movie actor
  • film star
  • film actress
  • movie actress
  • actress
  • thespian
  • film production
  • making of
  • solitaire
  • behind the scenes
  • casino royale
  • south of france
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Cast & crew

Becoming Bond Cast

George Lazenby leads the cast, with Josh Lawson and James Walsh. Directed by Josh Greenbaum; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Josh Greenbaum

More films directed by Josh Greenbaum, best-rated first: Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Will & Harper, The Short Game and Strays.

Full filmography
Ratings

Becoming Bond Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Becoming Bond 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

76 /100

Becoming Bond Echo Score Breakdown

Becoming Bond delivers an engaging and personable documentary experience centered on George Lazenby’s own narration and charm. The film’s anecdotal structure and humorous recreations consistently entertain, even as the episodic chapters occasionally feel uneven in pacing. Archival footage enriches the narrative but leaves some storylines underexplored. Overall, this documentary offers a gratifying portrait of its subject, blending levity and insight in a way that will appeal to Bond aficionados and general audiences alike.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of cinematography and production design, the film relies heavily on straightforward interview setups and select period footage with modest visual flair. Reenactments are staged with clear intent but seldom achieve a seamless integration, sometimes feeling staged against more dynamic archival clips. Editing maintains a coherent rhythm, though transitions between segments can feel abrupt. Overall, the craft is competent but stops short of striking innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character portrayal and emotional resonance, George Lazenby’s direct-to-camera presence shines throughout. His wit, candor, and moments of vulnerability offer a nuanced portrait of a reluctant icon. The documentary captures his personal reflections with clarity, building genuine rapport without veering into hagiography. Lazenby’s charismatic storytelling anchors the film, resulting in a compelling emotional connection with viewers.

  • Story & Flow 75

    Regarding narrative coherence and engagement, the film delivers a series of entertaining vignettes that chart Lazenby’s rise, peak, and personal reflections. Anecdotes flow with lively humor and sincerity, although the decision to conclude shortly after his Bond tenure leaves certain chapters underdeveloped. Pacing remains brisk overall, with sufficient originality in its self-reflective format. The result is an enjoyable, if occasionally fragmentary, biographical journey.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the documentary pairs a light musical score with clear sound design, supporting interviews and reenactments without distraction. Visual style leans on a balanced color palette and straightforward framing, ensuring focus remains on Lazenby’s presence. Period clips and still imagery provide texture, though the overall aesthetic is functional rather than ambitious. The sensory elements cohere to create an unobtrusive backdrop for the storytelling.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    With respect to rewatch value, Becoming Bond offers moments of humor and insight that stand up to subsequent viewings. Lazenby’s anecdotes retain their charm, and select revelations invite further reflection. However, the limited scope and absence of deeper exploration into later life chapters may lessen the incentive for repeat watches. Ultimately, the film rewards casual revisits but may feel fully tapped after one or two viewings.

Plot

Becoming Bond Plot Summary

What happens in Becoming Bond from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds through a deeply personal dialogue with George Lazenby, interwoven with vivid reenactments that breathe life into his words. In sharing the tale of his early struggles as an at-risk infant, Lazenby reflects on how failing as the only student in his school grade and walking across the graduation stage without a certificate shaped his resilience and determination to never again accept defeat.

Full summary

The whole story of Becoming Bond, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Becoming Bond Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Becoming Bond Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Documentary
  • Featurette Becoming Bond Q+A with George Lazenby, Josh Greenbaum and Josh Lawson — SXSW 2017
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Becoming Bond?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was George Lazenby's original profession before becoming an actor?

Details

Becoming Bond Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Стать Бондом” and “Becoming Bond - Die Rolle meines Lebens”.

Also known as
  • Стать Бондом
  • Becoming Bond - Die Rolle meines Lebens
  • 成为邦德
  • Être ou ne pas être James Bond
  • 비커밍 본드
  • Essere James Bond

Seen Becoming Bond?

FAQ

Becoming Bond FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Becoming Bond, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Becoming Bond?

Becoming Bond runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Becoming Bond released?

Becoming Bond was released on May 20, 2017.

Who directed Becoming Bond?

Becoming Bond was directed by Josh Greenbaum.

More films by Josh Greenbaum

Who is in the cast of Becoming Bond?

Becoming Bond stars George Lazenby, Josh Lawson and James Walsh, among 10 credited actors.

How is Becoming Bond rated?

Becoming Bond has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Becoming Bond have a post-credit scene?

No. Becoming Bond has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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