"Bond. James Bond." A classic line from the man himself. The 1967 version, You Only Live Twice, the movie is an action packed film filled with violence, women, and one hero--James Bond. The movie begins during a routine US space mission a manned American rocket mysteriously disappears while in orbit. The Americans naturally suspect the Soviets and threaten retaliation. However, the British are more cautious after one of their tracking stations indicates that the space craft may have come down near the Sea of Japan. Then, secret Service swings into action by "killing" James Bond in Hong Kong - a ruse so Bond can move about Japan unmolested by his enemies. During his investigation in Japan, the Soviets lose one of their space craft in similar circumstances, 007 has only a few days to locate the launch site and prevent the outbreak of World War III.
The way this plot is portrayed is a direct reaction to what is going on with the world during the 1960's. As you can see from the story line, movie directly relates to the Cold War as well as space race between America and the Soviet's. However, the movie is portrayed in a way (mostly with James Bond) that presents itself to mainly the baby boomers who are now in their teenage years. Bond's elegant nonchalance yet machismo outlook make all the ladies in the movies fall for him with just one look. It's no wonder all the teenage boys during the 1960's are idealizing him. All the baby boomers from after WWII are right about at there teenage years and the boys are very awkward when it comes to their sexuality and other women. But not for Bond. He is the smoothest guy around who's getting all the ladies. Also, because the women's rights movement is going on during the time of the movie, it takes advantage of the fact of women allowing sex before marriage. However, the actual reaction to women's rights is portrayed in a negative light in the film.
The New York Times was also hesitant about this movie. Its review was mediocre, saying that it is a "noisy and wildly violent picture" and just plain "absurd." And well, it is. Besides the fact that Bond is a manifestation of what teenage boys idealize, the movie was blown out of proportion with the idea of a WW III and one man's mission save the world. I also don't think any women during that time appreciated the portrayal of their sex. But what can you do... its Bond.
It is very true that this film, as long as the majority of its counterparts, downplays the importance of women's rights. I was particularly struck by the bath scene that you mention, as well as the fact that Bond's "wife" later only wore a lingerie-esque bikini and apparently never found the time to cover up. In addition to this, I agree wholeheartedly with the New York Times' assertion that the film was "absurd". There were many points at which I found the film to be entirely unrealistic (putting aside the fact that it is Bond). One such example is when we view the American and Soviet ships being intercepted in space on Specter's monitor. It makes sense to have footage of this, but the footage shot is from an outsider's perspective, not from Specter's ship. It would be impossible for there to be such an image unless there were another ship, which there was not. I found this inconsistency to be a bit distracting and very inaccurate, since the film is meant to be realistic. While this film is certainly entertaining, I was disappointed by these aspects (although they were to be expected) and the poor acting as well.
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