What’s the story?
In his first ever big-screen adventure, James Bond is dispatched to Jamaica to investigate the death of a colleague, who was himself investigating a missile toppling crisis. The trail leads to the foreboding island of Crab Key, home of the mysterious Doctor Julius No.
What’s Sean Connery like as Bond?
Incredibly good, especially considering this was his first time playing the character. His Bond is a perfect mixture of charm and brutishness, with a bit of humour sprinkled in too.
How about the villain?
The villain is, of course, Doctor No, played by Joseph Wiseman. One thing I never noticed before is how little screen time Doctor No actually has, as the majority of the film is spent building suspense for his dramatic appearance in the third act. That he still manages to put in such a memorable performance is a testament to just how good Wiseman is; his commanding voice and unnerving stare serve him very well in the role, and the scene in which he and Bond verbally duel at the dinner table is a delight. He also wears a Nehru suit and lives in a luxurious underground lair, setting the standard for many a supervillain to follow.
Are there gadgets?
No, but Bond does receive a new gun from Q Branch.
Is there a theme song and title sequence?
Sort of: Dr No’s theme tune is the now iconic ‘James Bond Theme’, and it’s used a lot throughout the film. The title sequence is straightforward and low-key.
How does it stand up on a technical level?
Amazingly well. I was surprised to learn that the film didn’t have a particularly big budget, because it really looks great. The set design by Ken Adam is stunning, aided by some outstanding cinematography and lighting, and Terence Young directs with real style. There isn’t much location-hopping (the movie was filmed at Pinewood Studios and on location in Jamaica) but everything is photographed to the very highest standard.
So you’d recommend it?
Absolutely! Some might find it a bit slow compared with later films, but I enjoyed the lack of gadgets and huge stunts, as it gives the characters a bit more room to breathe. Sean Connery’s Bond is fantastic, definitely one of the most assured and confident performances I’ve seen from any actor, and the movie has a villain for the ages with Joseph Wiseman’s Doctor No. Factor in the first-rate production values and you have a real winner.
Do you have any useless trivia?
Yes. When Bond is about to sit down to dinner with Doctor No, he notices a painting on display and looks at it with an expression of shock. The painting is ‘Portrait of the Duke of Wellington’ by Francesco Goya, which had genuinely been stolen from the National Gallery in London on 21st August 1961, and was still missing at the time the film was released (hence Bond’s shock). Is that useless and trivial enough for you?
Yes.
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