Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Diamonds Are Forever is the seventh official James Bond 007 movie, and Sean Connery's last outing, until his unofficial comeback in Never Say Never Again (1983). It contains the usual fighting, killing, and dead bodies, plus explosions and characters on fire, though there are fewer guns than usual. Bond slaps a woman in the face. Though no graphic nudity is shown, Bond has two sex partners, and women are shown in bikinis, in underwear, and under bedsheets. There is some strong sexual banter and innuendo. The movie implies that two male characters are gay (they hold hands). Language is stronger than usual in a Bond film, with uses of "goddamn," "bitch," and "hell." ("P---y" is used as a double-entendre, referring to a cat onscreen.) Bond drinks slightly less in this movie, with just a sip of sherry and a sip of whisky. A woman is shown smoking a cigarette. Bond fans know that Connery was the best, which makes this one essential viewing.
Sexual
Content
No nudity, but scantily-clad women are shown in bikinis and underwear, or naked under bedsheets. Bond sleeps with two women -- one is called "Plenty O'Toole" -- and we see the usual sexy silhouettes during the opening credits. Bond is shown shirtless, naked to just below the waist. We get playful sexual innuendo throughout, such as Bond saying, "there's something I'd like you to get off your chest," as he removes a woman's bikini top. A man makes reference to a woman's "cheeks" in her bikini bottom. The movie suggests that two hitman characters are gay and are shown holding hands (very risqué in 1971). A character has a comical line about a "virgin in a maternity ward." Signs for "topless" clubs are seen on a Las Vegas strip.
Violence
Bond fights several henchmen, punching, chopping, throwing them around and smashing them against walls. Two of his opponents are women, "Bambi" and "Thumper." He defeats them by holding their heads underwater in a pool. Bond kills several opponents. A character is killed with a scorpion. Dead bodies are shown, including a woman drowned in a pool. Bond slaps a woman in the face. Bond is knocked out by gas and nearly incinerated at a funeral home (inside a coffin). Explosions are shown. A man on fire is shown. We see some brief guns and shooting.
Language
"Goddamn," "damn," "bitch," "son of a bitch," and "hell" are heard. "P---y" is used as a double-entendre; onscreen it refers to a cat, but it also refers to Bond's partner. In one scene, a character yells, "dirty bastard," though he is cut off before he finishes the word. Bond calls a woman "stupid twit."
Social
Behavior
Bond is heroic, smart, and resourceful as ever, though he has his vices (martinis and women). Additionally, his license to kill allows him to dispatch bad guys without a second thought. He never really learns any lessons. Women are often treated as objects in Bond movies, though the women in this movie are a bit cleverer than usual. Two of the supporting characters may be gay, but are depicted as slightly creepy and weird, and perhaps plain evil.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Bond drinks a glass of sherry and has a sip of whisky. One of the Bond girls smokes a cigarette.
