What do you think of Doctor No?

[Captain Nash]

IBack to 1962, when Sean Connery appeared in the first James Bond film
Doctor No.


What are others thoughts on the first Bond film?
Do you think EON could've started with a better film? There was a time when Thunderball was mooted as the first film.
Do you think they got the best cast?
Was it right to take only elements of Fleming. Up the humour and gadgetry?

Classic scenes:
"Bond... James Bond."
Honey Ryder emerging from the sea
"That's a Smith and Wesson. And you've had your six."
The character of Doctor No.

[carl stromberg]

I've edited your post a bit.

I think it was a solid opening for Eon, and they were probably pleased that it was not a disaster. I think most of those involved in the race to make the first Bond film that Bond needed to change slightly to be more entertaining in the cinema.

[Kristatos]

It's a bit odd watching it now, as the Bond series had not quite found its unique tone, and it seemed more like a regular spy thriller of the period. I think you have to look at it in the context of the time it was released. For audiences in a Britain that was only just emerging from post-war austerity, the exotic locations, beautiful women and Connery's impeccable cool must have provided a potent national fantasy.

[Powder Puff]

I liked that fella with the metal hand.

[mcbride007]

I wonder how different Thunderball would have been if it had been the first in the series?

[English Agent]

I wonder how different Thunderball would have been if it had been the first in the series?

It would of been a little naff, compared to the film it became.
I mean from its humble beginnings, the Bond franchise escalated tremendously during Connery's initial 5 film reign from 62-67.
There just wasn't the budget at the beginning in 1962 to of done the film Thunderball justice.
For example rather than the huge climatic underwater battle involving a lot of scuba men with specialist underwater craft, being filmed to a rehearsed battle filmed at sea.............then in 1962, the scenario could of been Bond swimming around in an aquarium fighting maybe a couple of divers.
Plus there certainly wouldn't of been any money to convert the Disco Volante into a hydrofoil.

EA

[MichaelZWilliamson]

It had a couple of flaws, but it's eminently watchable and has some solid spy work in it. Connery fit the role easily, tossing out the arrogant, fake sincerity that is iconic to Bond.

[Dr. No]

In many ways it was the perfect first film. You know how when people look back at star wars they say things like future of space is here and it has a history, meaning the spaceships, spaceports, empire, republic, old jedi, and smugglers had a story predating what we saw. Same for Bond in Dr No.

I think it captured the spirit of the books and the old time classic adventure films from the golden age of hollywood. It has a simple plot with a extraordinary bad guy and a good guy who was not run of the mill for the time. Back in the 60s a US film would have had a square jawed G man lecturing the bad guy on mom and apple pie then calling in the air force for a strike. Honey would not be like she was in the movie I ahte to think of what american production of the time would have made of her..

I really think Broccoli and Saltzman (and the director) made the perfect spy film maybe not in terms of "grittiness" or "realism" but in enjoyability and establishing a icon they come second to none.

[English Agent]

I think they did a very good job for a first off in series, on a relatively low budget.

Monty Normans score sounds very dated though.

At least they had the hindsight to make the film in colour, as many films in the 60's were still made in b/w.

EA

[Thunderpussy]

I still remember watching it way back in 75,I think when it was first shown on uk tv. Even 13 years after it was made it was still entertaining and just as action filled as what was in the cinema at the time.
For the First Outing it's well made and the limited budget is well hidden, It's pretty close to the Book ( leaving out the giant squid, which i can understand ) and how Bond Kills Dr No in the novel.
I agree only the Music seems dated,but it set the ground work for what was to come.Great sets, some Odd characters, and great villains.And as many refrence Books state They give Bond a sence of Humor to play against the violence.
It also got me hooked on Bond reading the Books and watching FRWL and Goldfinger on tv until finnaly getting to see a Bond in the Cinema, Like many TSWLM, just cemented my love of all things Bond.

[Dr. No]

and how Bond Kills Dr No in the novel.

What a way to die!

DSMG made some cool Dr No images. I think he did an amazing job on them I wish I had the talent to do something like this.

[Bond77]

I think Dr. No produces interesting posts, and does a good job contributing to the forum...wait did I get the meaning of this thread's question right?

[stockslivevan]

I think Dr. No produces interesting posts, and does a good job contributing to the forum...wait did I get the meaning of this thread's question right?

No, but you're right on that chap. Fine member indeed.

Dr. No I wouldn't say is a great film, but it makes a solid debut for Connery. I think that's what the film does best, showcasing Connery as 007. After this introductory of the character it's time for bigger and better adventures. The same could be said for LALD for Moore as well.

I do wish they had stuck more to the novel because Quarrel and Honey Ryder were pretty condensed in the film version.

Especially Dr. No's fascination with pain. Should have kept that aspect and the tunnel scene should have been more like it was in the book, otherwise it just shows 007 escaping his cell WAY too easy.

[Dr. No]

I think Dr. No produces interesting posts, and does a good job contributing to the forum...wait did I get the meaning of this thread's question right?

Given that it was started by Nash it could go either way and I was one of those who liked him

[Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry]

Dr No must be insane: he lives on an island made of bird s**t!

[Dr. No]

Dr No must be insane: he lives on an island made of bird s**t!

Say what you will but the Bird s**t Industry is repression proof;) No Guano in a thriving enterprise despite what happened to granddad

[Kristatos]

Dr No must be insane: he lives on an island made of bird s**t!

Shows how long it's been since I read it - I remembered the guano as having come from bats. Oh well, bang goes my "batshit insane" gag.

[Thunderpussy]

Dr No may live on an Island made of s**t, where as we live on an Island run by shits.