Development The film was based on an original idea by Cy Endfield and some associates in the 1960s. It was originally envisioned as a straight action-adventure movie about a mercenary who buys arms in London. Endfield became distracted on other projects until he re-connected with
George Lazenby. Lazenby: I told him I wanted to make the kind of film I could believe in. He came back two days later with a conventional script about gun-runners – just a joke to both of us. But with his 28 years' experience in the business he knew we had to have that kind of script to raise the backing. The movie was announced in November 1970. Lazenby described the movie at the time as "anti-guns and anti-Bond... a [comedy] with no plot. It is really just a series of happenings which keep the audience entertained. This is the kind of film which is coming out in Europe now." He later elaborated: I believe that there is a true revolution going on in the youth of today which is far more than just a fad or a passing fashion. The kids are beginning to learn that the world's economy is dependent on the arms race, and they don't like it. They feel the people going on and on making guns could be building new irrigation schemes to make the deserts productive, or making agricultural equipment to help feed all the hungry. People would be far happier employed this way than they are in wars and they would be saving lives instead of taking them. If anyone told me today there was an advancing army just outside
Botany Bay, I wouldn't want to pick up a gun and fire away at it. I'd be keener to swim out and have a discussion about it. Donald Factor said "This is a whole lot more than just another piece of empty pacifism, another tilt at the establishment.
Universal Soldier attempts to present a view of the alternative. It’s a positive statement rather than a destructive one."
Germaine Greer appeared as Clara Bowden, wife of Derek Bowden, played by the film's director Cy Endfield. "She is a most interesting person with a lot of fresh ideas", said Lazenby. "Working with people like her is a far greater experience than working with run- of-the-mill actors who think of nothing but their own careers." Lazenby was optimistic he could use this method for other movies: The nine months I spent on the Bond film I learnt about the old-fashioned way of doing things-and a lot about what not to do. Now I'm trying to learn the newer, freer approach working with Cy Endfield. I feel once I've learnt from him something about putting a movie together I shall be able to go on and develop some of my own ideas. I'm lucky now, because I know enough of the tricks of the trade to feel I shall never have to starve and this gives me a chance to work on my ideals. Lazenby later admitted he "didn't know what he was doing" when making the film and that the investors had to take over before shooting finished. He and three other men associated with the film were each sued for £10,000 by Ionian Finance, who had lent money for the movie. ==Reception==