A landmark film in many respects, "Dr. No" (1962) introduced Ian Fleming's 007 to cinema audiences. Despite the author's initial objections, Sean Connery defined the character of James Bond with his remarkably self-assured performance. Ursula Andress' iconic beauty and Joseph Wiseman's restrained villainy were equally memorable. Thanks to the contributions of director Terence Young, set designer Ken Adam, editor Peter Hunt and composer John Barry, the 007 style was immediately established in this Jamaican adventure. Producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli should be applauded for getting the most out of their limited budget. "Dr. No" succeeds as an unpretentious spy thriller minus the gadgetry and gimmicks in later Bond outings. The film's impact on popular culture cannot be underestimated.
I will not review the film it's self since everyone has no doubt seen it at least once.
I have waited 2 years for the Bond films to be released in a HD format, and the waite was worth it.
The picture quality of this old film is simply awesome. The color saturation, the "depth" and contrast are very film-like.
I felt like I was discovering the film for the very first time.
Watching it on my 60'' display, it looked like I was seeing a brand new, fresh from the lab, film print in my own living room.
And it gets better, I am told (but havent viewed my copy yet) that Thunderball looks even better.
If you are a Connery James Bond fan, and own Blu Ray, this is a no-brainer.
Highest possible recommendation, and Amazon has it for a good price.
Buy Dr. No (50th Anniversary Repackage) (2012) Now
Outside of Bond fandom very few people know that Sean Connery was actually the second actor to play the character of James Bond. In the 1950s there had been a television production based around Ian Fleming's first spy novel "Casino Royale" in which American actor Barry Nelson had played 007 as a US spy with Clarence Leiter as his British counterpart. Fast forward to the early 1960s and work is once again getting underway to bring the fictional spy to the screen. Cast in the lead role is what one UA executive referred to as a "lorry driver" and with a small budget (a measly $1 million) there seems to be little hope for the fledgling franchise. Yet when Doctor No (the final choice for the first of the series) hits screens it changes the film industry, sending reverberations the likes of which are still being felt today. Staying largely faithful to the Fleming book of the same name (something that was not to last) the rather modest movie set screens afire, helped enormously by the performances of Sean Connery and Swiss beauty Ursula Andress. In fact for many, Andress is the quintessential Bond girl, establishing one of cinema's most iconic images as she emerges from the sea in a white bikini). Right away the trademark violence is evident as three assassins murder a British operative and his pretty secretary in Jamaica. The break in communication has the British nervous and they send for their top agent. Switch to a smoky casino in London. And we see the back of a man, his hands moving his cards about the table and then taking a cigarette out of its case. Lighting it he is fully revealed and the trademark line "Bond, James Bond" is heard on cinema screens for the very first time. Arriving in Jamaica Bond learns that the missing operative was investigating the mysterious character of Doctor No who operates from a private island named Crab Key. Determined to learn the truth he arranges to sneak onto the island with his colleague Quarrel to discover the truth behind the disappearance. Taken on its own Doctor No is a nice, taut, suspenseful movie with some wonderful performances from its leads. New York actor Joseph Wiseman is particularly chilling as the title character with his metal hands (some disfigurement or quirk has since become a necessity for Bond villains). Taken as the initial outing in a franchise the movie is a low-key effort that ably sets the stage for the films that were to follow. Today this movie rarely tops people's lists as a favorite in the series, but that is largely because in the ensuing years the Bond series came to mean spectacle and special effects, often at the expense of good storytelling. Initially released on DVD in the cardboard snapper cases with only Bond trivia to complement it, in 2000 MGM did the movie justice by reissuing it as a special edition with improved video and audio and a nice collection of extra's. For the time the Bond special editions were considered the "cream of the crop" as far as DVD releases were concerned. Here we have an audio commentary which is comprised of spliced together interviews from earlier many behind the camera had since passed on including director Terence Young. An easy movie and DVD to recommend.Read Best Reviews of Dr. No (50th Anniversary Repackage) (2012) Here
This review refers to the MGM Special Edition DVD od "Dr. No"....How dissapointed was I, when I saw this transfer of this great classic by MGM to Dvd?..REALLY dissapointed. If you already own the VHS..hold on to it for a while longer, even if you see it come on TV you will probably get a better picture and sound quality then you do with this package. I'm not saying it is not a viewable film, just that when you get a DVD, especially one from a production studio like MGM, you expect better. The film itself seems to be in pretty good shape. Even the colors are good. But the picture seemed grainy and the sound was the worst.
With all the great action and music in this film it should have been at least in stereo, 5.1 would be even better. The dialouge was less than good. I had to keep back tracking to hear what I missed and had to keep turning the volume up and down. I've seen alot better on transfers of films much older than even this one is. And there's more...now this may be just my copy, but there was alot of pausing and skipping thoughout the film. I have recently purchased a new DVD player that is pretty state of the art, and any DVD that ever skipped on my old player does not skip now..except this one....Please MGM...try again with this one.
Okay, okay, so now that I got that off my chest... I Love "Dr. No!" The first(of 20) in the 007 series(based on the novels by Ian Fleming), made in 1962 is exciting , full of action and lots of fun. Sean Connery in his first of 7 Bond movies sets the bar for all the ones to follow. And I must also mention that Ursula Andress likewise sets the bar for the "Bondgirl".
We meet James for the first time, where else..at a gambling table, looking dapper as ever in his tux, where he immediatly catches the eye of a beautiful woman who cannot resist him. Although he must leave immediatly on his first assignment, he does have a few minutes to spare for the lady. Then off to beautiful Jamaica, where the movie is filmed and the action begins.
James begins investigating, the murder of the agents stationed there and all roads lead to the manical Dr No(Joseph Wiseman), who has secluded himself on a small island and is killing anyone who gets too close. Dr. No is messing with the U.S. Space Program and must be stopped before he can strike.
Once James does get himself onto the Island, he first meets 'Honey Ryder"(Andress), who is a vision as she makes her entrance emerging from the water like some beautiful mermaid. Together they fight off the army of Dr. No's guards,and thwart the impending disater.
You'll meet "M"(Beranrd Lee) and "Miss MoneyPenny"(Lois Maxwell) for the first time in this one. "Q" and all his gadgetry have not made into the story yet. There are the great cars and car chase scenes. You'll get that "Bond" feeling immediatly as the theme begins. And don't forget to look for Jack "Book-em Danno" Lord.
A great start to a great series.The DVD does come with some great extras. I especially enjoyed the featurette about Sean Connery fitting into the mold of the first 007, which was made at the time of the filming of Dr. No.(see tech info for complete list of bonus material.) If your a huge fan and cannot wait for a better DVD to come along then go ahead and have that first vodka martini with James and here's hoping for a new restoration. Enjoy....Laurie
Want Dr. No (50th Anniversary Repackage) (2012) Discount?
Outside of Bond fandom very few people know that Sean Connery was actually the second actor to play the character of James Bond. In the 1950s there had been a television production based around Ian Fleming's first spy novel "Casino Royale" in which American actor Barry Nelson had played 007 as a US spy with Clarence Leiter as his British counterpart.Fast forward to the early 1960s and work is once again getting underway to bring the fictional spy to the screen. Cast in the lead role is what one UA executive referred to as a "lorry driver" and with a small budget (a measly $1 million) there seems to be little hope for the fledgling franchise. Yet when Doctor No (the final choice for the first of the series) hits screens it changes the film industry, sending reverberations the likes of which are still being felt today.
Staying largely faithful to the Fleming book of the same name (something that was not to last) the rather modest movie set screens afire, helped enormously by the performances of Sean Connery and Swiss beauty Ursula Andress. In fact for many, Andress is the quintessential Bond girl, establishing one of cinema's most iconic images as she emerges from the sea in a white bikini).
Right away the trademark violence is evident as three assassins murder a British operative and his pretty secretary in Jamaica. The break in communication has the British nervous and they send for their top agent.
Switch to a smoky casino in London. And we see the back of a man, his hands moving his cards about the table and then taking a cigarette out of its case. Lighting it he is fully revealed and the trademark line "Bond, James Bond" is heard on cinema screens for the very first time.
Arriving in Jamaica Bond learns that the missing operative was investigating the mysterious character of Doctor No who operates from a private island named Crab Key. Determined to learn the truth he arranges to sneak onto the island with his colleague Quarrel to discover the truth behind the disappearance.
Taken on its own Doctor No is a nice, taut, suspenseful movie with some wonderful performances from its leads. New York actor Joseph Wiseman is particularly chilling as the title character with his metal hands (some disfigurement or quirk has since become a necessity for Bond villains). Taken as the initial outing in a franchise the movie is a low-key effort that ably sets the stage for the films that were to follow. Today this movie rarely tops people's lists as a favorite in the series, but that is largely because in the ensuing years the Bond series came to mean spectacle and special effects, often at the expense of good storytelling.
Initially released on DVD in the cardboard snapper cases with only Bond trivia to complement it, in 2000 MGM did the movie justice by reissuing it as a special edition with improved video and audio and a nice collection of extra's. For the time the Bond special editions were considered the "cream of the crop" as far as DVD releases were concerned.
Here we have an audio commentary which is comprised of spliced together interviews from earlier many behind the camera had since passed on including director Terence Young. Added to that is a documentary on the making of the movie including on-camera interviews, some archival and some new and a documentary on the aforementioned director. Rounding out the set us the usual collection of promotional material.
An easy movie and DVD to recommend.
On a sidenote work is currently underway by Lowry Digital to restore this movie, if audio and video is of primary importance to you then you might want to wait until that is released in 2006.
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