You Only Live Twice (1967)

Last updated:
August 16, 2025

You Only Live Twice is the fifth James Bond film, starring Sean Connery as 007. Loosely based on Ian Fleming’s novel of the same name, it mixes Cold War intrigue, exotic settings, and one of the most famous Bond villains in cinema history.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Mysterious Space Hijacking

The film opens with a U.S. spacecraft being hijacked in orbit by an unidentified ship. Tensions skyrocket between the United States and the Soviet Union, each suspecting the other. MI6 believes the craft originated somewhere near Japan, so Bond is dispatched to investigate.

Bond’s “Death” and Mission in Japan

In one of the series’ most memorable fake-outs, Bond is “killed” in Hong Kong during a staged assassination, only to reappear at his own naval funeral. This elaborate ruse allows him to work undercover. Arriving in Tokyo, he meets Japanese intelligence chief Tiger Tanaka and begins following a trail of mysterious activities connected to a global criminal organization.

The Path to SPECTRE

Bond discovers that SPECTRE is behind the spacecraft hijackings, aiming to provoke World War III. Clues lead him to a heavily guarded island belonging to a chemical magnate named Osato. With the help of Tanaka’s agents, including the skilled and resourceful Aki, Bond learns about the existence of a secret base hidden inside a dormant volcano.

Disguise and Infiltration

In a plot point that feels very “1960s,” Bond undergoes a transformation to look like a Japanese fisherman, allowing him to blend in with the locals near the suspected launch site. He marries a local agent, Kissy Suzuki, as part of his cover. While investigating with Kissy, he confirms that the volcano is indeed SPECTRE’s base of operations.

Enter Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Inside the volcano lair, we finally see the face of SPECTRE’s leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Donald Pleasence), complete with his iconic scar and white cat. He reveals his plan: by hijacking U.S. and Soviet spacecraft and returning them to his base, he will manipulate the two superpowers into nuclear war.

Movie Ending

Bond is captured and brought before Blofeld, who proudly shows him the massive rocket hidden inside the volcano. The countdown to launch begins, with the next hijacking meant to push the U.S. and USSR to the brink of war. Bond manages to signal Tanaka’s ninja forces, who descend upon the volcano in a dramatic assault.

A massive battle erupts—ninja warriors versus SPECTRE’s guards, with explosions rocking the set. Bond escapes his guards, destroys the control panel for the rocket, and prevents the hijacking. Blofeld activates a self-destruct mechanism for the base and escapes through a hidden passage, vowing revenge.

As the volcano erupts in flames, Bond, Kissy, and the surviving allies flee via a small raft. They’re soon picked up by a British submarine, and the film closes with Bond and Kissy in each other’s arms, seemingly ready for some downtime after the chaos.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, You Only Live Twice does not have a post-credits scene. However, as was tradition for early Bond films, the end credits do announce the next adventure: James Bond will return in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Type of Movie

This is a spy action-adventure film with Cold War political undertones, exotic locales, and a heightened, almost science-fiction edge due to its space-race plotline.

Cast

Sean Connery – James Bond
Donald Pleasence – Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Akiko Wakabayashi – Aki
Mie Hama – Kissy Suzuki
Tetsurō Tamba – Tiger Tanaka
Teru Shimada – Mr. Osato
Karin Dor – Helga Brandt

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Barry, one of the defining musical voices of the Bond franchise. The theme song, performed by Nancy Sinatra, is one of the series’ most atmospheric and romantic, blending lush strings with a mysterious Eastern influence to match the film’s Japanese setting.

Filming Locations

Filming took place primarily in Japan, with key scenes shot in Tokyo, Kobe, and Kagoshima. The famous volcano lair was a massive set built at Pinewood Studios in England, considered one of the most expensive film sets of its time. The Japanese locations were vital for immersing the story in an authentic backdrop, giving the espionage plot a rich cultural texture.

Awards and Nominations

While the film didn’t receive major awards, it was praised for its set design and action sequences. Ken Adam’s volcano lair set became legendary in production design circles.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Sean Connery was growing tired of playing Bond and reportedly clashed with the press during filming in Japan.
The volcano lair set cost over $1 million in 1967—a staggering figure for the time.
The ninjas’ rope-climbing stunt into the volcano was a mix of real stunt work and clever camera tricks.
Mie Hama struggled with English dialogue and required assistance from crew members on set.

Inspirations and References

The film is loosely adapted from Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel, but much of the plot was changed. The concept of the volcano base was an invention for the movie, heavily influencing future spy and action films, including the Austin Powers parody of Dr. Evil’s lair.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

One deleted sequence involved an extended fight with Helga Brandt before her death. Another unused scene showed Bond and Kissy meeting Japanese villagers before heading to the volcano, providing more cultural context but slowing the pace.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Fleming’s novel features Bond in Japan, but the plot is entirely different—there’s no spacecraft hijacking or volcano base. In the book, Blofeld is hiding in a castle and breeding poisonous plants. The film opted for a more action-heavy, spectacle-driven approach.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Bond’s staged “death” and naval burial.
The unveiling of Blofeld’s face for the first time.
Ninja assault on the volcano base.
The space capsule hijackings in orbit.

Iconic Quotes

Bond: “Oh, the things I do for England.”
Blofeld: “You only live twice, Mr. Bond.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The “Little Nellie” autogyro sequence is packed with gadgets, foreshadowing Bond’s later gadget-heavy adventures.
Ken Adam’s set design subtly includes catwalks and bridges resembling the SPECTRE logo’s tentacles.
The film’s title is a reference to a haiku in Fleming’s novel, adapted for the screen.

Trivia

This is the first film where Blofeld’s face is revealed.
Sean Connery announced he would leave the role after this film (though he returned in Diamonds Are Forever).
The ninja fight scenes were inspired by real Japanese martial arts demonstrations viewed by the production team.

Why Watch?

It’s worth watching for the sheer spectacle of its production design, the introduction of Blofeld’s on-screen persona, and the way it captures the height of Cold War-era spy fantasy. It’s a quintessential Bond movie—exotic, over-the-top, and filled with inventive action.

Director’s Other Movies

Recommended Films for Fans

Thunderball (1965)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

You Only Live Twice (1967)