Dr. No

 

 

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It is 1962 and the James Bond saga is already about 10 years old...by Ian Flemings' standards at least.It was 1952 when the first Bond book was written by this former WW2 intelligence officer and published.That was "Casino Royale".Four more followed.The first four were mildly successful then "From Russia With Love" seemed to break Flemings' writing career wide open.
Two film entrepreneurs by the name of Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli(his family was famous for their namesake vegetable!)cast a then virtual unknown Scottish body builder by the name of Sean Connery in the role of James Bond in their first film of what was to become a highly successful franchise built on Flemings' works.Some of the films followed his works more closely than others.Flemings'Bond,from what I recall in reading them years ago, was a much darker or somber figure than the one created for the screen.George Lazenbys' portrayal in "On her Majesty's Secret Service" was more true to Fleming form,but was a box office flop due to Connery's portrayal of the character and subsequent popularity thereof.
Dr.No was a great beginning to the franchise.And this newly released version(and all the other Connery Bonds I will review) are remastered and look more vivid than I have ever seen them.MGM in the opening disc commercial calls their work on this a revolutionary new process.Well don't be fooled.This kind of frame by frame restoration has been around and in use by other concerns for some time now.It's just that MGM has finally gotten around to using it more and touting it.MGM(and ALL companies) should think seriously of releasing all their products this way....it is way overdue.MGM's fortunes have fallen dramatically over the years.Once the kings of Hollywood they now rarely hit much box office gold.Fox,Universal and Paramount are beating them big time and have for years now.I would like to think Sony Picture's take over of MGM has maybe given them a kick in the derriere...they need it.Let's face it MGM may not lead the pack like they used to but they have got one heck of a treasure trove of product sitting in their vaults at the moment.And what better way to start to gain back some of that all important revenue than to re-release their stored product in the most pristine form they can? It surely cannot hurt.But I digress.
Dr.No was released to great fanfare in 1962 and was a big hit for Broccoli and company and United Artists.The movie opened with a new and original difference.The hero walks into frame silhouetted in a side shot while the music plays cool and steadily in the background.We seem to be looking through one eye of a mask when suddenly he turns and shoots in our direction.The screen slowly turns red,the mask eye shakes and then all momentarily goes dark.We realize we were looking through the eyes of some unknown criminal who Bond has "erased".It was new,different and totally fresh and the public showed their appreciation at the box office.All subsequent Bonds(up to the current one)would repeat this opening.
The cool music accompanying this film would be performed by legendary composer/conductor John Barry.A great theme that has never lost its' appeal and when you hear the famous guitar strains you know exactly what you're listening to.Another great touch(of many)that make(especially)these early Bond films so memorable.
This movies' plot moves along at a great pace and the tension never lets up.It concerns the interference of the launching of rockets from Cape Canaveral in Florida from source unknown.A British Intelligence operative in Jamaica,by the name of Strangway and his assistant,are murdered.Bond proceeds there and gets some help from a CIA agent played by Jack Lord(of later"Hawaii Five-O" fame).It seems Strangway had gone to a local island called Crab Key and had returned with some radioactive rock samples.Crab Key also seems to be the home of a "dragon".Our Bond gets over to Crab Key toute suite and lands right into the clutches of villain Dr.No in his hideout there.Dr.No is played to perfection by Joseph Wiseman.
Will Bond be able to save the world from the evil plans of Dr.No?And what's with that"dragon"? That's for you,dear readers,to find out.
There are a few "firsts" in this film.Besides the obvious introduction to Bond himself,we find "M",Bonds' boss in this and subsequent Connery Bonds,played wonderfully by Bernard Lee."Money Penny" a small but wonderful and endearing part played by Lois Maxwell.I still wonder to this day,as we all did way back then,why they didn't pursue a romantic relationship on screen with those two characters.It was such a natural.We are also introduced to Bonds' favourite drink....a medium dry vodka martini,shaken not stirred with a twist of lemon.And of course no Bond movie would be complete without a love interest,or two,or three,or four,or more!This movies' main one was with "Sylvia Trench",played by Eunice Gayson.She was one gorgeous start in a long line of Bond sirens he subsequently seduced.This was a famous Bond trait in these films that made his character stand out.Whatever Bond did with women was just that,no explanations,no apologies.That was his world and you accepted it.
Dr.No deserves every one of its' four and a half stars and probably a little more.The cast is impeccable,the plot wonderfully tight and the music is the best.And of course Sean Connery's performance in this and subsequent Bond pictures produced,to me at least,the best,most enduring,convincing and my favourite portrayal of the British Intelligence agent 007 James Bond in the entire series.I invite you to get this movie now remastered beautifully,and see for yourself.

Dr. No should exist as the blueprint for all Bond films.

There are very few cheap gags,even fewer ridiculously over the top stunts, and almost no toys or gadgets.

To me, this is Bond at its best, and definitely deserves a spot on my top 10 series' favorites list.

The film strayed a bit from the original book, but never so far that it became lost.

This product, itself, has been revamped and released half a dozen times for the dvd format. This, particular version has very few special features.

If you are looking for a more in depth copy of this movie (or any in the 007 series)I would suggest purchasing the boxed set versions.

If, like me, you are only interested in the feature film. This is a good buy.

Though, the cover art is a bit tacky, in my opinion.

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