The Film:Where else could we start?

This is the one that started it all.

The film that paved the way for a global phenomenon.

By being very good.Dr.

Noincludes most classicJames Bondelements while remaining grounded in reality (relatively speaking).

Its not the best Bond, but certainly a contender for top five.

Perhaps a little slow for those raised on a diet of Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Everyone else is in for a treat.

The Villain:Silly name, weird disability, exotic lair Dr. Noscores high in baddie-bingo.

It pioneers the rich villainous tradition of cooking Bond dinner, explaining his plan, then letting Bond escape.

Introduces the cinematic world to SPECTRE.

Metal hands raise a lot of questions about his toilet routine.

Lets not go there).

Doesnt actually do vast amounts but iconic nonetheless.

The story of how Sean Connery went from starring in a musical about leprechauns to the embodiment of masculinity.

The film doesnt hang around and neither should we.

Her celebrated introduction isnt even the best introduction in the film.

Rightly, crucially, this belongs to Bond himself.

Everything about this scene is perfect.

The beautiful woman in red, losing at cards.

Seriously, so much of the Bond mythos is born in these first two minutes of meeting him.

And all the while Monty Normans theme is thrumming away in the background.

and this scene will inevitably inform your argument.

There are bigger Bond moments.

More dramatic Bond moments.

Taken on its own, the following scene is unremarkable.

Bond enters Moneypennys office.

Flirts briefly with Moneypenny.

Goes into Ms office.

Yields to M. Leaves Ms office.

Bids farewell to Moneypenny.

Goes off on mission.

Switch on any random Bond film and you will most likely see a variation of this scene.

Every single Bond Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan, Craig does the dance.

And yet this is the first.

In five minutes the film establishes a template that will be repeated perpetually deep into the 21st century.

And you could see why.

Watch Dr. No on Amazon Prime

Tonally the scene is spot on.

I wont discuss actors too much as Id rather focus on the films themselves.

The mission investigate the disappearance of Commander Strangways is more private-eye than superspy.

Bond hops on a plane to Jamaica and there he stays for the remainder of the film.

Whereas later films can throw a dart at an atlas every twenty minutes aaand now were in Haiti!

Connery generally puts down roots.

Jamaica still feels pretty exotic now so heaven knows how 1962 Britain viewed it.

Nowere set in, say, Ukraine, I wouldnt be writing these words today.

In Jamaica Bond first meets Felix Leiter, his future CIA BFF.

Sadly, Leiters portrayal across the franchise is frustratingly inconsistent.

The casting alone tells a story.

Yet there have been seven different Leiters in only nine film appearances!

Only two actors ever reprised the role (shout out to David Hedison and Jeffrey Wright).

I like the scene where Leiter and Bond investigate radioactive rock samples.

Because both are wearing goddamn suits.

On a sunny day.

And neither has a hair out of place.

Investigating rock samples is a pretty mundane job for a man wholl one day own an invisible car.

Yet this is the joy ofDr.

No: Bond acts like an actual spy.

Removing his shoes to tread softly on the carpet after hearing a noise in his apartment.

Using a reed to breathe underwater… okay that doesnt work, but at least the writers are trying!

And speaking of Dent Bonds first on-screen killing is undoubtedly his most brutal.

Hell kill in cold blood again but only when motivated by necessity, revenge, or a direct order.

This is an execution.

Dent poses no threat; Bond could easily have him arrested.

What of the titular antagonist?

Dr. Nos limited screen time (the least of any Bond baddie) actually works in his favor.

Even today the character retains a sense of mystery, and for a villain this is no bad thing.

Mwha ha ha!).

Dr. No escapes this fate.

His island lair is more modest than later models (space station, anyone?)

but is still a worthy base, and far more practical than some.

Pointless trivia alert:in an early script draft Dr. No was in fact a monkey.

Yes, that kind of monkey.

A definiteSliding Doorsmoment for the series.

She is a wonderfully exotic creation and, like Dr. No, appears later than youd expect.

Give me Pussy Galore or Domino any day.

But then neither caused the cultural splash of Honey so Im probably in the minority here.

In the novel, Honey is distinguished by a broken nose.

Obviously in the film this wouldnt do: physical deformities are strictly villain-only.

Indeed, no cinematic Bond girl has ever been anything other than physical perfection.

This I think is a shame.

A scarred heroine, or perhaps one paying homage to Honeys broken nose, would be genuinely revolutionary.

Id love to see a Bond film bold enough to subvert the stereotype but Im not holding my breath.

Have you ever noticed how early Bond girls sound weirdly similar?

They share this sexy, sultry, slightly exotic accent that is rather difficult to place.

Search YouTube for some clips of Honey Rider and Sylvia Trench and youll see what Im talking about.

Nikki is the great unsung heroine of the franchise.

She dubbed actresses in ten (10!)

Indeed, excluding Moneypenny and Miss Taro, every female character inDr.

Nois voiced by Nikki.

A paragraph ago I mentionedDr.

Apologies to any Fleming fans who feel Im giving the great man short shrift.

Anyway, lets celebrate Quarrel.

A brave, resourceful Jamaican fisherman whom Bond respects and befriends.

The moment where Bond silently mourns Quarrels death is genuinely affecting.

The Jamaican fisherman is placed as equal to the British civil servant.

A subtle insight into Bond himself.

Of course, there are flaws.

Bonds escape from Dr. No is far too easy.

Whered you put the prisoner, Johnny?

I locked him in the storeroom.

You know, the one with the giant ventilation shaft situated around head-height… oh look hes escaped.

A couple of moments havent dated too well.

Bond casually tells Dr. No, With your disregard for human life you must be working for the East.

Even worse is when Bond barks, Fetch my shoes!

at Quarrel in what definitely isnt a request.

Yet overall,Dr.

Noemerges very much in credit.

It really is remarkable how little the series deviates from the formula established in its first film.

Bond emerges fully formed both as a character and, by and large, as a franchise.

Best Bit:Bond.

Worst Bit:Fetch my shoes!

Doesnt get any easier to watch.

Final Thought:Why does Bond untie that boat at the end?

Youll prefer a hotel.