Dr No - A Review
Sweepy the Cat
Halifax, West Yorkshire, EnglaPosts: 986MI6 Agent
It was in October of 1962 that the first theatrical James Bond movie "Dr. No" premiered. Produced via United Artist by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman on a budget of roughly $1 million, the movie starred Sean Connery as Bond, the lovely Ursula Andress as Honey Rider, Joseph Wiseman as Dr. No and not to mention Jack Lord as the original and best Felix. Bernard Lee and Lois Maxwell appeared as respectively, British intelligence head M and secretary, Miss Moneypenny (roles the two actors would reprise throughout the series). Despite the fact that this is the most low-key of the series it is still a very great start for the series and not to mention it`s perhaps one of the best in the series. This film is quite different from the rest mainly because it`s a mystery thriller.
Bond provided a highly successful thriller, and an excellent prototype for films to come. The budget was used well for the time, producing a thriller that looked much more expensive than one million dollars. The film was a blockbuster success. Firstly, Bond's vices turned him into a superb anti-hero, and condemnation of Bond by the Vatican and the Kremlin caused audiences to flock in huge numbers to the film, which had received good critical acclaim. To this day it remains a classic favourite with traditional Bond fans, a great watch for any lover of a great thriller.
The script was co-written by Richard Maibaum, who would also become part of the bond "team" returning in the future to author or co-author all but three of the first 16 productions. Directed beautifully by Terence Young the film is about Bonds investigation into the murder of a Jamaica-based British agent, which ultimately leads to an insidious plot to disrupt U.S. Space launches. As for the music it was a Friday night phone call from Noel Rodgers, head of music at United Artist, that put John Barry to work on the orchestration of Monty Norman`s two minute composition that would become the famous James Bond theme. The film is a great start for a great and exciting series.
The film that introduced Ian Fleming's character to the screen laid down the basic blueprint for the adventures that would follow. Many, though not all, of the key elements in the later films are on display here - exotic locales, beautiful girls, a sinister villain with a high-tech base, and an explosive finale. It's hard to imagine now, but for 1962 this was quite groundbreaking. It had a look and a feel all of its own - expensive, glamorous and modern - and helped to usher in the Swinging 60's.
At the Chemin De fer, European Bacarat, Bond has his back to the camera and remains unrevealed until that precise moment when the very first Bond girl, Sylvia Trench portrayed by Eunice Gayson, uttered her first line of dialogue, "I admire your luck, Mr. ...?" and he is seen for the first time lighting his cigarette and announcing himself as "Bond. James Bond."
Bond has dark, rather cruel good looks and a slight scar down one cheek... Tall, handsome, well-dressed, exquisitely mannered, and enormously charismatic, Sean Connery has all the bravura of Ian Fleming's secret agent. Bond is an embodiment of pure fantasy. He frequently travels under his own name, making no effort to hide his taste for luxury rivals, and his loves for sensual pleasure. He continually provokes his superiors, and ignores common sense and danger in his combat with villains.
In Jamaica, a man named Strangways is gunned down. He had been there to help the United States in their investigation of interference with some of their rockets. In London, the head of British intelligence known only as "M" summons his top man, Agent 007, James Bond, to investigate. Bond travels to Jamaica where he meets up with U.S. CIA member Felix Leiter and his assistant Quarrel. They explain that they have investigated every possibility except for the heavily guarded island Crab Key where a man called Doctor No lives. Leiter helps Bond and Quarrel get onto the island where they meet Honey Ryder who has her own vendetta against Dr. No, and after an encounter with the island's "dragon", Bond and Ryder soon find themselves in the lair of the highly intelligent but very evil scientist.
With an essential Chinese look, Canadian actor Joseph Wiseman brought to life Dr. No—the first megalomaniac super villain of the atomic age. We first see his black steel hands when he pulls back the bed sheets covering a sleeping 007—Bond's code name. Wiseman looked the perfect combination of crippled scientist and criminal: From his heavily staffed underground base and using atomic energy, Dr. No—on behalf of the SPECTRE organization—was operating a device on the tropical island of Jamaica that massively interferes with the critical rocket launchings from Cape Canaveral.
Something about James Bond that we see in 1962 and has continued through the series is that he is a very cool character. Connery is perfect in this role providing appeal for both men and women. Helping the character along is a classic theme by John Barry.
Ursula Andress coming out of the water on Crab Key, dressed in a skimpy bikini, is the most famous introduction for a performer in screen history. Ursula Andress is still the best one of the Bond girls after all these years. The scene where she comes out of the water is a classic. The movie is filled with likable characters (Felix Leiter, Quarrel), enjoyable action sequences, and a great bad guy.
One thing about this movie that I really liked is the fast-paced editing (courtesy of Peter Hunt). That, and its relatively brief running time make this one of the leaner, more effective Bond films. Dr. No is a superior entertainment, both a respectable start to the adventures of 007 and actually far superior to many of the episodes that would follow.
Another excellent movie that will be lost on those with short attention spans who are too used to overdone and overdrawn "action sequences" in bad movies. This is the most realistic and intense Bond movie. The action sequences in this movie are as realistic and credible as any in the Bond series and much of the spy interaction is brutal, such as the killings of the British agents in the beginning and Bond's execution style killing of Dent later in the movie. The delay in introducing Dr. No is a smart move which builds suspense and curiosity. The exchange between he and Bond in his lair is one of the highlights of the series for serious fans. It's probably not the most accurate portrayal of the Bond character but defines his status as a hero very prominently. The movie is brilliantly methodical at times but drags in spots and much has been made of the use of time spent establishing Bond's character throughout the first half of the movie.
Some will find it tedious while others will find it more of a good thing. A great start to the series and a solid film in it's own right for those who tire of the overuse of gimmicks in some of the other Bond films.
7.8/10
Bond provided a highly successful thriller, and an excellent prototype for films to come. The budget was used well for the time, producing a thriller that looked much more expensive than one million dollars. The film was a blockbuster success. Firstly, Bond's vices turned him into a superb anti-hero, and condemnation of Bond by the Vatican and the Kremlin caused audiences to flock in huge numbers to the film, which had received good critical acclaim. To this day it remains a classic favourite with traditional Bond fans, a great watch for any lover of a great thriller.
The script was co-written by Richard Maibaum, who would also become part of the bond "team" returning in the future to author or co-author all but three of the first 16 productions. Directed beautifully by Terence Young the film is about Bonds investigation into the murder of a Jamaica-based British agent, which ultimately leads to an insidious plot to disrupt U.S. Space launches. As for the music it was a Friday night phone call from Noel Rodgers, head of music at United Artist, that put John Barry to work on the orchestration of Monty Norman`s two minute composition that would become the famous James Bond theme. The film is a great start for a great and exciting series.
The film that introduced Ian Fleming's character to the screen laid down the basic blueprint for the adventures that would follow. Many, though not all, of the key elements in the later films are on display here - exotic locales, beautiful girls, a sinister villain with a high-tech base, and an explosive finale. It's hard to imagine now, but for 1962 this was quite groundbreaking. It had a look and a feel all of its own - expensive, glamorous and modern - and helped to usher in the Swinging 60's.
At the Chemin De fer, European Bacarat, Bond has his back to the camera and remains unrevealed until that precise moment when the very first Bond girl, Sylvia Trench portrayed by Eunice Gayson, uttered her first line of dialogue, "I admire your luck, Mr. ...?" and he is seen for the first time lighting his cigarette and announcing himself as "Bond. James Bond."
Bond has dark, rather cruel good looks and a slight scar down one cheek... Tall, handsome, well-dressed, exquisitely mannered, and enormously charismatic, Sean Connery has all the bravura of Ian Fleming's secret agent. Bond is an embodiment of pure fantasy. He frequently travels under his own name, making no effort to hide his taste for luxury rivals, and his loves for sensual pleasure. He continually provokes his superiors, and ignores common sense and danger in his combat with villains.
In Jamaica, a man named Strangways is gunned down. He had been there to help the United States in their investigation of interference with some of their rockets. In London, the head of British intelligence known only as "M" summons his top man, Agent 007, James Bond, to investigate. Bond travels to Jamaica where he meets up with U.S. CIA member Felix Leiter and his assistant Quarrel. They explain that they have investigated every possibility except for the heavily guarded island Crab Key where a man called Doctor No lives. Leiter helps Bond and Quarrel get onto the island where they meet Honey Ryder who has her own vendetta against Dr. No, and after an encounter with the island's "dragon", Bond and Ryder soon find themselves in the lair of the highly intelligent but very evil scientist.
With an essential Chinese look, Canadian actor Joseph Wiseman brought to life Dr. No—the first megalomaniac super villain of the atomic age. We first see his black steel hands when he pulls back the bed sheets covering a sleeping 007—Bond's code name. Wiseman looked the perfect combination of crippled scientist and criminal: From his heavily staffed underground base and using atomic energy, Dr. No—on behalf of the SPECTRE organization—was operating a device on the tropical island of Jamaica that massively interferes with the critical rocket launchings from Cape Canaveral.
Something about James Bond that we see in 1962 and has continued through the series is that he is a very cool character. Connery is perfect in this role providing appeal for both men and women. Helping the character along is a classic theme by John Barry.
Ursula Andress coming out of the water on Crab Key, dressed in a skimpy bikini, is the most famous introduction for a performer in screen history. Ursula Andress is still the best one of the Bond girls after all these years. The scene where she comes out of the water is a classic. The movie is filled with likable characters (Felix Leiter, Quarrel), enjoyable action sequences, and a great bad guy.
One thing about this movie that I really liked is the fast-paced editing (courtesy of Peter Hunt). That, and its relatively brief running time make this one of the leaner, more effective Bond films. Dr. No is a superior entertainment, both a respectable start to the adventures of 007 and actually far superior to many of the episodes that would follow.
Another excellent movie that will be lost on those with short attention spans who are too used to overdone and overdrawn "action sequences" in bad movies. This is the most realistic and intense Bond movie. The action sequences in this movie are as realistic and credible as any in the Bond series and much of the spy interaction is brutal, such as the killings of the British agents in the beginning and Bond's execution style killing of Dent later in the movie. The delay in introducing Dr. No is a smart move which builds suspense and curiosity. The exchange between he and Bond in his lair is one of the highlights of the series for serious fans. It's probably not the most accurate portrayal of the Bond character but defines his status as a hero very prominently. The movie is brilliantly methodical at times but drags in spots and much has been made of the use of time spent establishing Bond's character throughout the first half of the movie.
Some will find it tedious while others will find it more of a good thing. A great start to the series and a solid film in it's own right for those who tire of the overuse of gimmicks in some of the other Bond films.
7.8/10
Comments
I notice too that you are reviewing the books in the James Bond Literature Forum as well. Looks like we have a real fan here.
--EDIT--
Alas! Someone seems to enjoy the copy-and-paste function a bit too much.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055928/usercomments?filter=best;start=100
And, come to think of it, I don't have the CD in front of me now, but that first paragraph reminds me a lot of the writing found in the CD booklet of the James Bond double CD theme song collection (the one with the radio CMs for YOLT and LALD at the end of CD 2). Oh dear.
I echo many of the sentiments already expressed on this site when I say that I'd much rather read your own opinions
But what's YOUR opinion of this movie,Sweepy?
In your own words...