Meet the Diamonds Are Forever Cast

The Diamonds Are Forever Cast

Sean Connery as James Bond

Sean Connery as James Bond

Charles Gray as Ernst Stavros Blofeld

Charles Gray as Ernst Stavro Blofeld

diamonds are forever Jill St. John as Tiffany Case

Jill St. John as Tiffany Case

Jimmy Dean as Willard Whyte

Jimmy Dean as Willard Whyte

Bruce Glover as Mr. Wint

Bruce Glover as Mr. Wint

Putter Smith as Mr. Kidd

Putter Smith as Mr. Kidd

diamonds are forever Lana Wood as Plenty O'Toole casino

Lana Wood as Plenty O’Toole

Bio Pics Bernard Lee as M

Bernard Lee as M

Lois Maxwell

Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny

The cast of Diamonds Are Forever

In the pantheon of 007 adventures, Diamonds Are Forever occupies a shimmering alcove. Its gleam? The re-entry of Sean Connery’s James Bond after a one-film hiatus, a move as electrifying as a martini, shaken not stirred.

To seasoned Bond enthusiasts and the Diamonds Are Forever cast aficionados, the film isn’t exactly Connery’s magnum opus, but the first Bond film of the 1970s offers more than the unfair-share of criticism is receives.

The exemplar Sean Connery might have hung up the Walther PPK after declaring a ‘Bond boredom’ post-You Only Live Twice, but he couldn’t resist another dance in the spy’s shoes.

Kraken

Now, I’ll concede, time had left its trace on the ageing Scottish actor, but that undeniable Connery charm – that urbane sophistication when buttoning up the tuxedo – was still a sight to behold. However, even in this sequined spectacle, a few moments felt like one had bitten on a cubic zirconia rather than a true diamond.

The narrative whisks us from diamond smuggling in Amsterdam – with a fight scene that is quintessential Connery – to Bond’s entanglements with the fiery, red-headed Tiffany Case, enchantingly portrayed by Jill St. John.

Case isn’t your quintessential damsel. She’s a sharp-witted smuggler, ensnared amidst Bond’s perilous quest. Accompanying 007 on his covert operations, she stands as one of the most assertive and audacious Bond girls of her era. Whether it’s her flaming red hair or the ferocity of St. John’s portrayal, there’s an incandescent spark that has endeared her to Bond aficionados, a flame that burns bright even five decades on.

But what’s a Bond escapade without the cloud of a nemesis looming over? This time, Ernst Stavro Blofeld returns to the fray, with Charles Gray lending his formidably camp presence.

Beyond the diamond heist at the heart of his plan, Blofeld’s ambition extends to a rather audacious plastic surgery scheme, aiming to create multiple lookalikes to further his plots and confound his enemies.

With his distinctive portrayal, whether masterminding surgical doppelgangers or, in a memorable twist, slipping into a dress, Gray’s performance adds a layer of theatrical flair to the Blofeld legacy.

Watch Inside Diamonds Are Forever Documentary

Diamonds Are Forever twinkles with a supporting cast that matches the glitter of its leading man. Lana Wood, in her role as the vivacious Plenty O’Toole, graces the screen with a memorable casino encounter.

As she leans into Bond’s world with a sultry “Plenty” introduction, Connery’s eyes drift downward, prompting one of his wittiest retorts in the franchise history: “Named after your father perhaps?” Such droll exchanges are quintessential Bond.

Of other members of the Diamonds Are Forever cast, Jimmy Dean’s portrayal of Willard Whyte, an entrepreneur with more than a hint of Howard Hughes, is nothing short of magnetic. Dean’s natural charisma seeps through, rendering Whyte as one of the film’s highlights.

However, if there were a crown for scene-stealing, it’d rest firmly on the heads of the sinister duo: Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd. Played with an eerie charm by Bruce Glover and Putter Smith, their loyalty to Blofeld and constant menace to Bond adds a dynamic layer to the film.

The shipboard encounter, with the pair masquerading as waiters, ties up their storyline. Their botched assassination attempt culminating in a humorous demise perfectly balances edge-of-the-seat suspense with that quintessential Bond flair.

Norman Burton, as the indefatigable Felix Leiter, CIA stalwart and Bond’s wingman, is solidly dependable. And the MI6 contingent, with Bernard Lee’s sternly affectionate M, Desmond Llewelyn’s delightfully resourceful Q, and Lois Maxwell’s ever-charming Miss Moneypenny, provide the familiar British backbone we’ve come to rely on.

>> Rent or Buy the film on Amazon Prime <<

Of course, critics haven’t always seen this film through rose-tinted spectacles. There are whimsical touches, like the acrobatic martial arts maven who briefly bests Bond, which tend to irk purists. Yet, with thrilling sequences like the Las Vegas car chase and the tense stand-off between Bond and his adversaries, Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, there’s much to applaud.

In essence, while Diamonds Are Forever might not sit atop the Bond pantheon for everyone, the intrigue, the glamour, and the eternal chase for those elusive diamonds ensure it certainly gleams with moments of brilliance.

Watch the official trailer of Diamonds Are Forever

The full Diamonds Are Forever Cast

  • Sean Connery – James Bond
  • Jill St. John – Tiffany Case
  • Charles Gray – Ernst Stavro Blofeld
  • Lana Wood – Plenty O’Toole
  • Jimmy Dean – Willard Whyte
  • Desmond Llewelyn – Q
  • Putter Smith – Mr. Kidd
  • Bruce Glover – Mr. Wint
  • Lois Maxwell – Miss Moneypenny
  • Bernard Lee – M
  • Norman Burton – Felix Leiter
  • Bruce Cabot – Bert Saxby
  • Joseph Furst – Professor Dr. Metz
  • Laurence Naismith – Sir Donald Munger
  • Leonard Barr – Shady Tree
  • Joe Robinson – Peter Franks
  • David de Keyser – Doctor
  • Margaret Lacey – Mrs. Whistler
  • David Bauer – Mr. Slumber
  • Melita Clarke
  • Terence Conoley
  • Sammy Davis Jr. – Casino Player
  • Orwin C. Harvey
  • R. L. Ryan
  • Ray Baker
  • Cassandra Peterson – Shady Tree’s Acorn
  • Vladimir Antonik
  • Jerry Summers
  • Monty Norman
  • Eddie Smith – Casino Patron
  • Bob Harks – Customs Inspector
  • Sergei Bystritsky
  • Guy Standeven
  • Paul Baxley – CIA Agent
  • Fred Fisher
  • Sig Frohlich
  • Clyde McLeod
  • David Bower

More Info

Who directed Diamonds Are Forever?

Diamonds Are Forever was directed by Guy Hamilton.

Who were the producers of Diamonds Are Forever?

Diamonds Are Forever was produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli.

Who wrote the screenplay for Diamonds Are Forever?

The screenplay was penned by Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz.

Who was in charge of the cinematography for Diamonds Are Forever?

The cinematography for Diamonds Are Forever was handled by Ted Moore.

Who edited Diamonds Are Forever?

Diamonds Are Forever was edited by Bert Bates and John Holmes.

Is Diamonds Are Forever based on a book?

Yes, Diamonds Are Forever is based on the novel “Diamonds Are Forever” by Ian Fleming.

Who composed the music for Diamonds Are Forever?

The music for Diamonds Are Forever was composed by John Barry.

Who sang the Diamonds Are Forever theme song?

The Diamonds Are Forever theme song was performed by Shirley Bassey. It was the second time she lent her powerful vocals to a James Bond theme, the first being for Goldfinger in 1964. She later sang the them song to Moonraker in 1979.

When were the release dates for Diamonds Are Forever?

Diamonds Are Forever was released on 14 December 1971 in West Germany, 17 December 1971 in the USA, and 30 December 1971 in the UK.

What was the budget for Diamonds Are Forever?

Diamonds Are Forever had a budget of $7.2 million.

How much did Diamonds Are Forever make at the box office?

Diamonds Are Forever grossed $116 million at the box office.