Do you recall his earlier TV series, the Saint? In that he was sort of a Robin Hood character, working to catch nasty crooks and save the life savings of little old ladies.
It always seemed that he just played Bond as an older, world-wearier Saint. Things were desperate, but never really serious.
If he told a villainess that he would beat her up,. It was just an empty threat. He'd never do something so...so cadish.
Whereas if Sean Connery told a woman of evil that he would hurt her, you knew it would happen.
Watch the opening of Diamonds Are Forever. He wants revengehe for Tracy s death
"These things must be done delicately-- or you hurt the spell." - The Wicked Witch of the West.
"We've got the torpedo damage temporarily shored up, the fires out and soon will have the ship back on an even keel. But I would suggest, sir, that if you have to take any more torpedoes, you take 'em on the starboard side." Pops Healy, DCA USS Lexington.