Dr. No (1962)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

Terence Young

Country

UK

Cast

Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord, Bernard Lee, Anthony Dawson, John Kitzmiller, Zena Marshall, Eunice Gayson, Lois Maxwell, Peter Burton, Timothy Moxon, Reginald Carter, Yvonne Shima, Michel Mok, Marguerite LeWars, Dolores Keator

Storyline

James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to Jamaica, where he joins forces with Quarrel (John Kitzmiller) and CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jack Lord) to solve the mysterious murder of a fellow agent. The investigation leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman) and a scheme to end the US space program.

Opinion

One of the missions I've embarked on this year is to watch all the Bond films. In order, of course. I wanted to know what's behind all the success the franchise had and is still having half a century later, and I believe this first James Bond was able to answer all of my questions.

Featuring humour, action, fabulous locations, gorgeous women and nothing less than a charming Sean Connery, Dr. No is a great start to a legendary franchise.

The story is quite basic and somewhat predictable toward the end, but there is an especially thrilling, and interesting middle part that makes up for the finale. Overall, the plot is engaging and despite its simplicity manages to make a stylish espionage film, not just an action flick.

One of the reasons this film seems to work probably better than a lot of other entries in the series is that the elements of the formula are there but used in moderation. There is no overload of explosions, action scenes, and unrealistic gadgets that never help the storytelling.

Then there is the first appearance of Dr. No, a classic villain and one of the best Bond villains, according to what I've read around. Also, this film also established the tradition of the Bond girl, and, whether I okay with that or not, the scene where Ursula Andress walks out of the water in her white bikini has definitely remained in the minds of many viewers.

Young and charming Scottish Sean Connery played James Bond beautifully, making him an iconic character, self-assured yet not superman. Joseph Wiseman gives an eerie calm but sinister portrayal of Dr. No, a man who hides his evil nature beneath politeness and self-control. Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder is only there for eye candy, but what an eye candy some might say.