Dr. No (1962)
Posted by nedev18 on March 14, 2008
Released (US): May 8, 1963
Genre: Action/Adventure
Length: 110 Min.
Director: Terence Young
Writer: Richard Maibum, Johanna Harwood, and Berkely Mather
Major Cast Members:
Sean Connery – James Bond
Ursula Andress – Honey Ryder
Joseph Wiseman – Dr. No
Jack Lord – Felix Leiter
Bernard Lee – M
Awards:
Golden Globe – Most Promising Newcomer (Ursula Andress)
Budget: $1.1 million
Box Office: $59,600,000 (worldwide)
Plot Overview: The first in what was to become one of the most successful film franchises of all time, Dr. No is the world’s first look at James Bond 007. Featuring Sean Connery as Bond and Joseph Wiseman as the evil Dr. No, the first Bond film is set primarily in Jamaica. When a fellow MI6 agent is killed, Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate. While in Jamaica, Bond meets up with a friendly CIA agent named Felix Leiter (played by Jack Lord) and some of the natives of the island. While investigating the death of his fellow agent, Bond uncovers something even more sinister at the hands of Dr. No and SPECTRE. Bond then must stop Dr. No before the evil scientist takes over the world…
Did you know?: Ursula Andress (Honey Ryder) wasn’t offered the part until only a few short weeks prior to the beginning of the filming when the producers saw a photo of her in a wet T-shirt competition.
Review: My first review…cool. Can you honestly think of a better movie than this to be the first? I can’t, so here it goes…
I watched this movie for the first time a couple days ago, and I must say, I was impressed. While not as flashy or action packed as some of the more recent Bond flicks, Dr. No still provided enough entertainment to keep me hooked.
Based on the novel by Ian Flemming, we meet James Bond for the first time. Sean Connery does an excellent job playing Bond, as there is the perfect mixture of the tough spy, suave gentleman, and funny guy to make him extremely likeable. In short, Connery is Bond.
Other strong performances from Ursula Andress (Honey Ryder), Joseph Wiseman (Dr. No), and Jack Lord (Felix Leiter) are present throughout the film. These aren’t the only good actors, however, as most of the actors throughout the film do a very good job.
The movie itself is very good. While the breakneck action that is present in many of the latest Bond movies may not be present in this one, that does not mean that Dr. No is a dud. In fact, it is just the opposite. When there are fight scenes and action sequences, they are well done and exciting. Unlike many movies that I have seen, even when there is no action, the movie still moves along nicely and there are no parts that I would classify as ‘boring.’ Despite the lack of gadgets and gizmos present throughout the other installations of this series, Bond manages just find with his handgun and his own hand to hand fighting skills.
Additionally, there is a certain element of charm and class that is prevalent throughout the movie. This is not always present in the other Bond films, so this aspect was certainly welcome.
In the end, this is a very good production, despite the lack of flash. Well written, acted, and produced, Dr. No was a great way to kick off the Bond franchise.
If you are looking for an intense movie filled with fight scenes, hardcore action and fancy gadgets, Dr. No is not the movie for you. However, if you’re a Bond fanatic, or someone looking for a good all around movie that seems to have all its bases covered, then Dr. No is for you. A must see, especially if you are into the whole Bond series.
Final Grade: B+
Other Reviews:
TVGuide: “The first entry in what was to become the most profitable movie series of all time is a solid, surprisingly modest spy thriller.”
FilmCritic.com: “Still, essential viewing for any Bond fanatic.”
Reel Views: “While it may appear tame by the standards of the later productions, it’s an entertaining look back in movie history at a project that developed into a worldwide phenomenon.”
DVDTown: “Script, director, performers, style, atmosphere, and locale wonderfully merged to produce exactly the right milieu for the picture…”
DVD Verdict: “Because of the efforts of Young, editor Peter Hunt, composer Monty Norman and production designer Ken Adam Dr. No is an exercise in masculine and muscular style. Together the group, including producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, gave the world a film that is timeless in the best sense of the word, while also serving as a templet for what has turned into a multimillion dollar industry.”
EFilmCritic: “Dr. No‘ is a superior Bond entry.”
Movie Vault: “Dr. No is worth it for the Bond fans but not all that grabbing for the spy thriller fans.”
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