Anyway, the first Bond film in the main series, starring Sean Connery as the titular secret agent. Bond is sent on a mission to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of the local MI6 Station Chief. Aided by Felix Leiter of the CIA and a local fisherman named Quarrel, his investigation takes him to the island of Crab Key, owned by the reclusive Bauxite magnate and scientist known only as 'Dr No', played by Joseph Wiseman. After enduring numerous assassination attempts, such as a poisonous spider being placed in his hotel room, and an attack by a dragon, Bond is soon captured along with the shell diver Honey Ryder, played by Ursula Andress. Brought before the mad doctor, he learns of his plot to disrupt the Mercury space flights by 'toppling' the craft's guidance system with an atomic-powered radio beam.
I've heard that this film's budget was only $1 million, and it does show; some of the effects look really cheap, even by 1962's standards. However, my biggest issue lies with the character of Honey Ryder. Yes, she looks pretty in her white bikini and she has a great (dubbed) singing voice. But she is an utter load who hinders more than helps. I mean, she blows Bond's cover by sailing to Crab Key, which means they get detected by a radar. Yes, she shows them to a hiding place, but she does nothing else. Other than that, the film is an enjoyable experience.
Dr No is actually one of the few James Bond novels that I have actually read, and the film certainly deviates from the book in many ways. But I'm not going to go into that; it's an adaptation, so you have to make changes for one reason or another.
Despite the cheapness, I'd say that the film-makers did a great job. Bond is suave and daring, and you want to see him win against the odds. Dr No is suitably sinister with his mechanical arms, and the first of many evil lairs is a great one, with his mythical dragon keeping visitors from snooping around.
Not much else to say. I'll see you next time for the next film.
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