Dr. No (1962)

[zen007]

With the 25th Bond film in the cinemas, it is a good time to revisit the first Bond film that started the Bond phenomenon.

When the 6th Fleming book, based on a screenplay iirc, came out in 1958, it was probably the first Bond book to face criticism from many quarters for "snobbery and sadism". However, Dr. No showed that while many may not find such "elements" good to read, they do work in film (with certain elements left out and/or changed).

Fleming's formula in combination with Bond producers imagination has worked wonders since 1962:

a) A suave secret agent with a license to kill on an interesting assignment, which would potentially alter the future of the world
b) A sophisticated villain, usually with a disturbing past and/or a disability, willing to use all his assets to achieve his goal
c) Skilled and dedicated henchmen, who would stop at nothing and could use unusual methods to accomplish their objectives
d) A leading lady with an unusual name straight out of fairytales
e) Stoic characters that support Bond on his missions

All of the above elements are weaved with exotic locations, gadgets, and a mesmerizing background score to create magic on screen.


Dr. No also had another great card up its sleeves - director Terence Young. Young appears to understand Bond completely and is said to have coached Connery on how to play Bond. Among those who have directed multiple Bond films, Young is arguably the best Bond director. His touch whether in DRNO, FRWL, or TB makes those films age relatively better.




Dr. No's score is a magic trick as well. If you like the Bond theme, it is used generously, a fresh tune at that point in time. Various elements of Dr. No's score have been tweaked and used in future Bond films.





Overall in 2021, the first Bond film still remains a magical experience and among the top films of the franchise.

[Lee A Stewart]

[Lee A Stewart]

[Winslow Leach]

Such a groundbreaking film...

[Lee A Stewart]

The Saint, airing in the United Kingdom for the first time on 4 October 1962, only one day before the premiere of Dr. No

[harry o]

"Dr no" is the best looking bond on blu ray I think .

[Deadend45]

Originally Posted by harry o

"Dr no" is the best looking bond on blu ray I think .

It still has the Lowry processed look, just not the worst.

[Hindustani]

Originally Posted by Deadend45

It still has the Lowry processed look, just not the worst.

Dude.....

You are so "dolby vision'ed" and "HDR10+'ed"

You will never understand Lowry Digital's 4K restoration.

[Krynoid-Man]

It's easily in my top 10 of the the whole franchise, and Doctor No is himself still my absolute favourite Bond villain.

[spaceball-one]

More than any other movie in the series, my esteem grows for Dr. No every single time I watch it.
Connery definitely was one of those rare "instant movie star" moments, like Brando in Streetcar or Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by spaceball-one

More than any other movie in the series, my esteem grows for Dr. No every single time I watch it.
Connery definitely was one of those rare "instant movie star" moments, like Brando in Streetcar or Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars.

And yet the producers and Fleming did not put him high on their list:

Cary Grant - refused to do more than a single picture
Richard Johnson - was leaving MGM
Roger Moore - "too young, perhaps a shade too pretty."

There was a contest set up to "find James Bond." Six finalists were chosen and screen-tested by Broccoli, Saltzman, and Fleming. The winner of the contest was a 28-year-old model named Peter Anthony, who, according to Broccoli, had a Gregory Peck quality, but proved unable to cope with the role.

When Connery was invited to meet Broccoli and Saltzman he appeared scruffy and in unpressed clothes, but Connery "put on an act and it paid off" as he acted in the meeting with a macho, devil-may-care attitude. When he left, both Saltzman and Broccoli watched him through the window as he went to his car, both agreeing that he was the right man for Bond.

[Hindustani]

DR.NO is my "go to" film every time I'm in the mood for 007.

Its "ground breaking" in truest sense......in terms of how "vulnerable" James Bond was on this dangerous assignment.

Many may just remember 'spider" scene, its the "you had your 6" scene and "three blind men" at night aiming at bond...…..both scenes are incredibly memorable,

Had Professor Dent "used only 5 bullets instead of 6.........that 6th bullet was in bond's chest.

Had bright light did not shine and people did not walk down the stairs from Kingston Hotel when Bond got out of Taxi...…..Bond would've been "mortally" wounded or dead.

Bond "vulnerablity" was continued in FRWL....and this is what makes them so great with such great repeat value.

and ofcourse.....Dr.No himself.

[stvn1974]

Connery Bond doesn't like the Beatles which automatically makes him the worst Bond.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

Connery Bond doesn't like the Beatles

Based Bond

[Deadend45]

Originally Posted by zen007

When the 6th Fleming book, based on a screenplay iirc, came out in 1958, it was probably the first Bond book to face criticism from many quarters for "snobbery and sadism". However, Dr. No showed that while many may not find such "elements" good to read, they do work in film (with certain elements left out and/or changed).

The only thing the Fleming books have in common with the films is the name. The characters and plots are entirely different and Bond is not 'suave' in his books.

Also Fleming hated Connery as Bond.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by Deadend45

The only thing the Fleming books have in common with the films is the name. The characters and plots are entirely different and Bond is not 'suave' in his books.

Also Fleming hated Connery as Bond.

You obviously have not read Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and. especially, OHMSS.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Deadend45

The only thing the Fleming books have in common with the films is the name. The characters and plots are entirely different and Bond is not 'suave' in his books.

Also Fleming hated Connery as Bond.

Literally nothing in this post is correct.

[Deadend45]

"Interested in the ability of the human body to withstand and survive pain, No forces Bond to navigate his way through an obstacle course constructed in the facility's ventilation system. Bond is kept under observation as he suffers electric shocks, burns and an encounter with large poisonous spiders. Bond's ordeal ends in a fight with a captive giant squid, which he defeats by using improvised weapons. "

Oh yeah I remember seeing that stuff from the book in the film. lol

[Dunemoon]

Ah. You sure don't get Connery quality at the cinema in 2021.

[AKORIS]