It would be interesting, if history had been different and it was DN that was one of the last Fleming stories to be made by EON rather than CR. Consider with the technology we have now they could actually have the giant squid scene. That we would get to see Bond bleed and suffer from NO's beating and obstacle course. Sure the plot would have to be updated as CR was and the locations changed. It would be sad to not see it in Jamaica and I don't know how they could write it so that No could still own a fictional key and conduct his schemes so close to what is now a huge vacation resort destination. I could just see the headlines..."TOURISTS BURNED TO DEATH BY SECURITY GUARDS" - "ANOTHER COUPLE MISSING AFTER EXPLORING CRAB KEY" - GIANT SQUID KILLS SEVERAL TOURISTS" - "COUPLE RUN OVER BY SWAMP BUGGY WHILE TAKING SELFIE". It would have to be relocated to another remote area in the world and the plot would have to be changed so that NO's scheme was still as villainous and still relevant. Could he still be like the character in the novel? Why not? Though given today's artificial limb replacement technology, the claws would have to go sad to say. It would still be fun to have him appear as the tall creepy Dracula figure that Fleming made him in the novel though...
DN is one of the few Bond films that captures the spirit of the novel -- though some plot elements change, the characterization and atmosphere are very much what are on the page.
It is also the inverse of what we see today and have seen since the 1980s -- it's a child-like fantasy made for adults instead of an adult-like fantasy made for children.
What I mean for that is that despite the larger-than-life qualities of the circumstances and production, the story proceeds as if written by adults for adults. It's grounded in enough reality to make the fantastic moments plausible, if not probable. So, Bond actually investigates rather than minimally uncovers some important clue before rushing off to his next action sequence. Despite his cool exterior, Dr. No is a villain driven by ego and rage -- his weaknesses -- and Bond exploits such through actual conversations that mimic the sort of real fighting that occurs between adults rather than a couple of over-the-top speeches before rushing off to the next action sequence. Bond is under threat constantly, but he and the villains play a cat-and-mouse game of wits like intelligent people will rather than blasting away at each other before rushing off to the next action sequence.
DN is a masterpiece for not falling into the cliche of just being a bunch of action sequences marginally strung together by the thinnest of plot. It's a fairy tale for adults, as most of Fleming's books were, rather than a brainless videogame for kids.
The pacing of Dr. NO is why I like it so much. With the exception of SPECTRE, I have immensely enjoyed Daniel Craig's outtings--but the pacing of those films and the reliance on large action pieces detracts from their overall quality. DN and FRWL are true masterpieces because they have it all. Despite its longevity, the series has rarely gotten that particular balance so right.
While I disagree on SP -- and while it may also be a sign of the Apocalypse -- to the rest I must say {[] .
I suppose you can look over fondly at the first of a long running film series but I think that DN is a top film in it's own right. It sits alongside the classic Bond films of the 60's and doesn't feel out of place in their company. I know it's budget was smaller but in a way this is one of it's strengths. It makes it a no frills Bond film. It has a story to tell and tells it with a minimum of fuss, every scene adds to the story.
It has iconic scenes that have rarely been bettered. I also think the meeting between Bond and Dr No remains one of the greatest scenes between Bond and villain from any movie. I know the pacing can seem slow at times but I like that about it (same with FRWL). These are spy films that are to be savoured.
I simply love the whole atmosphere of the first four films. The cars, fashion and locations. All
Almost straight from the wonderful pages of the Fleming novels. All helping to give a great flavour
Of the times they were set in.
In many ways it's almost like traveling back in time.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I simply love the whole atmosphere of the first four films. The cars, fashion and locations. All
Almost straight from the wonderful pages of the Fleming novels. All helping to give a great flavour
Of the times they were set in.
In many ways it's almost like traveling back in time.
Yes - it is, which is why they are still in the top of everyone's list. Not only did they stick closely to Fleming's work (instead of scriptwriters trying to emulate his work out of thin air), but they were produced close to the actual time frame in our history when Fleming had been alive and was still writing the novels. Fleming's time was a pot of gold for spy novelists like himself back then - they had the big bad Russian Bear and it's surrogates to train their sites on. You could come up with endless plots with this nemesis.
I simply love the whole atmosphere of the first four films. The cars, fashion and locations. All
Almost straight from the wonderful pages of the Fleming novels. All helping to give a great flavour
Of the times they were set in.
In many ways it's almost like traveling back in time.
Yes - it is, which is why they are still in the top of everyone's list. Not only did they stick closely to Fleming's work (instead of scriptwriters trying to emulate his work out of thin air), but they were produced close to the actual time frame in our history when Fleming had been alive and was still writing the novels. Fleming's time was a pot of gold for spy novelists like himself back then - they had the big bad Russian Bear and it's surrogates to train their sites on. You could come up with endless plots with this nemesis.
Despite my thought a on DN, I do really like the atmosphere and style of the films of the 60s. Especially how locations were used - exotic places made to look magical and like they're fantasy, contrasting with grim darkness of Soviet countries in FRWL.
What I love about Dr. No is that it shows Bond actually doing things such as investigating and interrogating. Furthermore like others have mentioned I enjoy the pace of it. Seeing Bond in his hotel make himself a vodka on the rocks and then sit down I really enjoy little moments like that that were frequent in the Connery films.
What I love about Dr. No is that it shows Bond actually doing things such as investigating and interrogating. Furthermore like others have mentioned I enjoy the pace of it. Seeing Bond in his hotel make himself a vodka on the rocks and then sit down I really enjoy little moments like that that were frequent in the Connery films.
Those scenes in DR NO as well as the hotel bug checking scene in FRWL were among my favorite moments as a kid. Certainly a big part why I preferred the early Connery films to the later films. I always loved the old school atmosphere of DR NO and FRWL. I wish I could have seen them new.
What I love about Dr. No is that it shows Bond actually doing things such as investigating and interrogating. Furthermore like others have mentioned I enjoy the pace of it. Seeing Bond in his hotel make himself a vodka on the rocks and then sit down I really enjoy little moments like that that were frequent in the Connery films.
Those scenes in DR NO as well as the hotel bug checking scene in FRWL were among my favorite moments as a kid. Certainly a big part why I preferred the early Connery films to the later films. I always loved the old school atmosphere of DR NO and FRWL. I wish I could have seen them new.
+1
DN has so many great interaction scenes between characters and just Connery with himself. No other Bond film has this. CR tries and does quite well, but the pacing and speed of a current-day action film has to exist. Even FRWL has a major jump in terms of pacing, sexuality etc.
Not overrated at all. It's still one of the best Bond films and I think the fact that it's the first film and clearly has a lower budget adds to the charm of the film. Connery is superb in this.
Not overrated at all. It's still one of the best Bond films and I think the fact that it's the first film and clearly has a lower budget adds to the charm of the film. Connery is superb in this.
Absolutely. And you haven't SEEN it until you've seen it on Blu Ray.
Not overrated at all. It's still one of the best Bond films and I think the fact that it's the first film and clearly has a lower budget adds to the charm of the film. Connery is superb in this.
Absolutely. And you haven't SEEN it until you've seen it on Blu Ray.
Old guys with good memories who saw it several times on the big screen in the 60s (like, er, me) might dispute that!
Not overrated at all. It's still one of the best Bond films and I think the fact that it's the first film and clearly has a lower budget adds to the charm of the film. Connery is superb in this.
Absolutely. And you haven't SEEN it until you've seen it on Blu Ray.
While I don't doubt the cinema being the king of all viewings. I do agree, when I first watched DN on BluRay I almost couldn't believe how good it looked.
Not overrated at all. It's still one of the best Bond films and I think the fact that it's the first film and clearly has a lower budget adds to the charm of the film. Connery is superb in this.
Absolutely. And you haven't SEEN it until you've seen it on Blu Ray.
While I don't doubt the cinema being the king of all viewings. I do agree, when I first watched DN on BluRay I almost couldn't believe how good it looked.
How much better is BluRay than DVD? I have all the James Bond films on DVD and will soon be buying a BluRay player.
As you know DVD's can be played on BluRay players but was just curious if I should upgrade to BluRay discs as well?
"Everyone knows rock n' roll attained perfection in 1974; It's a scientific fact". - Homer J Simpson
Absolutely. And you haven't SEEN it until you've seen it on Blu Ray.
While I don't doubt the cinema being the king of all viewings. I do agree, when I first watched DN on BluRay I almost couldn't believe how good it looked.
How much better is BluRay than DVD? I have all the James Bond films on DVD and will soon be buying a BluRay player.
As you know DVD's can be played on BluRay players but was just curious if I should upgrade to BluRay discs as well?
It's the clarity of HD and the restoration.
I know the Lowry process was in the release in 2003/4(?) that I had, they looked pretty good. But I think there was another restoration that allowed them to also be done in 4K.
I know someone else will know.
The thing that blew me away in DN was being able to see a perfect crease line in the shirt of the young radio control head in London when W6N goes offline. You could even see some lint from his cardigan!!
While I don't doubt the cinema being the king of all viewings. I do agree, when I first watched DN on BluRay I almost couldn't believe how good it looked.
How much better is BluRay than DVD? I have all the James Bond films on DVD and will soon be buying a BluRay player.
As you know DVD's can be played on BluRay players but was just curious if I should upgrade to BluRay discs as well?
It's the clarity of HD and the restoration.
I know the Lowry process was in the release in 2003/4(?) that I had, they looked pretty good. But I think there was another restoration that allowed them to also be done in 4K.
I know someone else will know.
The thing that blew me away in DN was being able to see a perfect crease line in the shirt of the young radio control head in London when W6N goes offline. You could even see some lint from his cardigan!!
Domino: So... what sharp little eyes you've got.
Bond: Wait 'til you get to my teeth.
Sorry, couldn't resist this classic line from Thunderball. Different film to Dr. No obviously but a memorable quote nonetheless -{
Appreciate the response. The DVD's I have I won in a James Bond competition through Foxtel. This was back in 2008 so I have the first 21 films that were digitally restored frame-by-frame and each film has a special features DVD as well. Very interesting and a lot of fun looking at the behind the scenes footage/commentary from many years ago. -{
"Everyone knows rock n' roll attained perfection in 1974; It's a scientific fact". - Homer J Simpson
What I love about Dr. No is that it shows Bond actually doing things such as investigating and interrogating. Furthermore like others have mentioned I enjoy the pace of it. Seeing Bond in his hotel make himself a vodka on the rocks and then sit down I really enjoy little moments like that that were frequent in the Connery films.
Yes, and those are the little nuggets from Fleming's typewriter that they kept in the script. So many of these slower paced scenes are axed today just to keep up a faster pace through the whole film. The problem is that in doing that the audience loses out on the realities of being a spy. Spies really did and do these type of precautions and are constantly scanning their surroundings and snooping, it's how they protect themselves when undercover and how they gather intelligence. I remember the first time I saw Connery placing the hair across the door how great if felt that they put that in the film. It's how I felt when I first saw Craig tending his wounds in CR after his brutal stairwell fight. "Well, it's about time!" They show a wounded Bond trying to decompress after such a fight - including downing the large whisky. It's those small quiet moments with only Bond being human and being a spy that I hope they will keep in the future scripts.
Just watched Dr No today as it's a while since I've seen it.
I enjoyed it yet again.
Some interesting information comes out in the film, such as Connery's Bond had been a 00 for 10 years, and his Berrata jammed on his last job which nearly got him killed, M reminds him he has a licence to kill not be killed. I also love the remark by M that since he'd been head of MI 7 casualities in the 00 section had fallen.
I love all the field craft that Bond uses in the film. Obviously one of the films strengths comes from the fact the story is right from Ian Flemings pen, who was a kind of Spook during WW2.
I think we have to cut this Bond film some slack as it was the first and had a limited budget.
Tomorrow I'm going to try and rewatch "From Russia With Love" again another film that sticks to Flemings novel.
DN was what it was. The Bond franchise had to start somewhere.
Perhaps it's seemingly simple nature is part of its charm these days, since we now live in an era of so much CGI.
DN teaches us that a movie doesn't really need to be stuffed with flash to be good, that sometimes less is more.
It's not too high in my ranking, but trust me, I think it's an enjoyable watch. I'm just not as crazy about it as others are.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Dr No overrated? God no. One of the best with iconic moments:
- The intro of Bond is probably one of the most important and well known pieces of cinematic history
- The intro of Honey Rider also
- The Bond theme
- The kill of Dent
The plot is simple to follow, it is loyal to the book. The only things that Dr No are missing is maybe a great pre-title scene, which would start from FRWL, a Q scene (also from FRWL onwards) and a John Barry score ( you guessed it: from FRWL onwards)
I am actually starting to think that Dr No is underrated. I am starting to like it more than Thunderball, making it today my 3rd or 4th favorite Connery movie (YOLT remains a guilty pleasure, but Dr No is a better movie.)
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,652MI6 Agent
I think it's hard to appreciate the merits of DN when you've had so many superior movies that came out since, like the Fast and the Furious series, Marvel's Avengers line and of course, the Star Wars saga. If we're gonna throw out context, might as well have a continually adjusting measure against the all-time bests. I didn't have the pleasure of being alive when DN was released, but if it was anything like watching Star Wars in 1977 after standing in line around the block for a few hours, I'm certain I would have been equally floored by the culturally ground-breaking elements of the James Bond series' debut.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
Comments
The end is near.
It has iconic scenes that have rarely been bettered. I also think the meeting between Bond and Dr No remains one of the greatest scenes between Bond and villain from any movie. I know the pacing can seem slow at times but I like that about it (same with FRWL). These are spy films that are to be savoured.
Almost straight from the wonderful pages of the Fleming novels. All helping to give a great flavour
Of the times they were set in.
In many ways it's almost like traveling back in time.
Yes - it is, which is why they are still in the top of everyone's list. Not only did they stick closely to Fleming's work (instead of scriptwriters trying to emulate his work out of thin air), but they were produced close to the actual time frame in our history when Fleming had been alive and was still writing the novels. Fleming's time was a pot of gold for spy novelists like himself back then - they had the big bad Russian Bear and it's surrogates to train their sites on. You could come up with endless plots with this nemesis.
Despite my thought a on DN, I do really like the atmosphere and style of the films of the 60s. Especially how locations were used - exotic places made to look magical and like they're fantasy, contrasting with grim darkness of Soviet countries in FRWL.
Those scenes in DR NO as well as the hotel bug checking scene in FRWL were among my favorite moments as a kid. Certainly a big part why I preferred the early Connery films to the later films. I always loved the old school atmosphere of DR NO and FRWL. I wish I could have seen them new.
+1
DN has so many great interaction scenes between characters and just Connery with himself. No other Bond film has this. CR tries and does quite well, but the pacing and speed of a current-day action film has to exist. Even FRWL has a major jump in terms of pacing, sexuality etc.
"Better make that two."
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Old guys with good memories who saw it several times on the big screen in the 60s (like, er, me) might dispute that!
Not to knock DN, which I love, but FRWL and TB have such scenes as well- perhaps it's a Terence Young thing.
While I don't doubt the cinema being the king of all viewings. I do agree, when I first watched DN on BluRay I almost couldn't believe how good it looked.
"Better make that two."
How much better is BluRay than DVD? I have all the James Bond films on DVD and will soon be buying a BluRay player.
As you know DVD's can be played on BluRay players but was just curious if I should upgrade to BluRay discs as well?
It's the clarity of HD and the restoration.
I know the Lowry process was in the release in 2003/4(?) that I had, they looked pretty good. But I think there was another restoration that allowed them to also be done in 4K.
I know someone else will know.
The thing that blew me away in DN was being able to see a perfect crease line in the shirt of the young radio control head in London when W6N goes offline. You could even see some lint from his cardigan!!
"Better make that two."
Domino: So... what sharp little eyes you've got.
Bond: Wait 'til you get to my teeth.
Sorry, couldn't resist this classic line from Thunderball. Different film to Dr. No obviously but a memorable quote nonetheless
Appreciate the response. The DVD's I have I won in a James Bond competition through Foxtel. This was back in 2008 so I have the first 21 films that were digitally restored frame-by-frame and each film has a special features DVD as well. Very interesting and a lot of fun looking at the behind the scenes footage/commentary from many years ago. -{
"Better make that two."
Yes, and those are the little nuggets from Fleming's typewriter that they kept in the script. So many of these slower paced scenes are axed today just to keep up a faster pace through the whole film. The problem is that in doing that the audience loses out on the realities of being a spy. Spies really did and do these type of precautions and are constantly scanning their surroundings and snooping, it's how they protect themselves when undercover and how they gather intelligence. I remember the first time I saw Connery placing the hair across the door how great if felt that they put that in the film. It's how I felt when I first saw Craig tending his wounds in CR after his brutal stairwell fight. "Well, it's about time!" They show a wounded Bond trying to decompress after such a fight - including downing the large whisky. It's those small quiet moments with only Bond being human and being a spy that I hope they will keep in the future scripts.
Not mint but in pretty nice shape , very cool to find memorabilia from the first time around :x
I enjoyed it yet again.
Some interesting information comes out in the film, such as Connery's Bond had been a 00 for 10 years, and his Berrata jammed on his last job which nearly got him killed, M reminds him he has a licence to kill not be killed. I also love the remark by M that since he'd been head of MI 7 casualities in the 00 section had fallen.
I love all the field craft that Bond uses in the film. Obviously one of the films strengths comes from the fact the story is right from Ian Flemings pen, who was a kind of Spook during WW2.
I think we have to cut this Bond film some slack as it was the first and had a limited budget.
Tomorrow I'm going to try and rewatch "From Russia With Love" again another film that sticks to Flemings novel.
"Do you expect me to talk? "No Mister Bond I expect you to die"
Perhaps it's seemingly simple nature is part of its charm these days, since we now live in an era of so much CGI.
DN teaches us that a movie doesn't really need to be stuffed with flash to be good, that sometimes less is more.
It's not too high in my ranking, but trust me, I think it's an enjoyable watch. I'm just not as crazy about it as others are.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
- The intro of Bond is probably one of the most important and well known pieces of cinematic history
- The intro of Honey Rider also
- The Bond theme
- The kill of Dent
The plot is simple to follow, it is loyal to the book. The only things that Dr No are missing is maybe a great pre-title scene, which would start from FRWL, a Q scene (also from FRWL onwards) and a John Barry score ( you guessed it: from FRWL onwards)
I am actually starting to think that Dr No is underrated. I am starting to like it more than Thunderball, making it today my 3rd or 4th favorite Connery movie (YOLT remains a guilty pleasure, but Dr No is a better movie.)
1. Connery 2. Craig 3. Brosnan 4. Dalton 5. Lazenby 6. Moore
What?
"Better make that two."