Dr No (1962)
"That's a Smith and Wesson and you've had your six." - James Bond
In this Section
Production
Producers: Harry Saltzman & Albert R Broccoli
Director: Terence Young
Screenplay: Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood and Berkley Mather
Composer: Monty Norman
Cast
MI6 Ranking
Mission
James Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate what is causing interference with American space launches on the island of Crab Key. Bond and adventuress Honey Ryder find the answer to the mystery and come face to face with the diabolical Dr. No.
- Read full Synopsis
- James Bond and Friends - Podcast Watchalong
- James Bond and Friends - Mission Debrief Podcast
Locations
London, UK; Kingston, Jamaica; Crab Key (fictional).
Pre-Titles Sequence
The only film in the series not to include a "pre-credits sequence", as the opening of the movie begins with electronic noises and the names of the producers displayed. The title sequence is composed of sequences of dots to the James Bond theme. The 25th Bond film, No Time To Die, took visual cues from this treatment, but still boasted the longest pre-titles sequence.
Title
As with Ian Fleming's novel, the central villain lends his name to the title of the film.
Release Data
UK: 5th October 1962 (PG)
USA: 8th May 1963 (PG)
World Premiere: 5th October 1962 (London Pavilion, UK)
UK TV Premiere: 28th October 1975, ITV
US TV Premiere: 10th November 1974, ABC
Running Time: 105 minutes
Classification: PG (UK), PG (US)
Budget: $1.0m
Worldwide Box Office: $59.5m
US Box Office: $16.067m
US Admissions: 19 million
UK Box Office: N/A
Best Mistake
At one point Bond picks a thug up with his left hand and prepares to lay into him with his right. However, he then hits him with his left hand.
Distinguishing feature
The first time Bond uses a Walther PPK, replacing his preferred Beretta.
Vital Statistics
Conquests: 3
Martinis: 2
Kills: 5
"Bond, James Bond": 1
Cut Scenes & Alternate Versions
The ending had originally featured Honey being attacked by land crabs when Bond rescues her. The crabs moved too slowly to be really menacing and the ending was reshot without the crabs. Still photographs of the earlier ending can be seen on the special edition DVD.
During the Dent execution, most TV versions omit Bond's second gunshot into Dent's back.
Some TV versions shorten the opening scenes to speed up Bond's introduction. In particular a scene featuring a fellow agent arriving at the casino in search of Bond is cut, and the card game with Sylvia Trench begins just prior to the famous "Bond, James Bond" introduction, omitting the lengthy lead-up in the original.
Some foreign prints omit the scene entirely. Alternate versions of some scenes were filmed for European markets, including a somewhat more revealing scene involving the character Miss Taro.
The only Bond film to not include some variation of "James Bond will return" in the closing credits – succeeded by 'From Russia With Love'.
Awards
Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1964 | Won | Golden Globe | Most Promising Newcomer - Female Ursula Andress |
1964 | 2nd Place | Golden Laurel | Top Action Drama |
1964 | 3rd Place | Golden Laurel | Top Action Performance Sean Connery |
Taglines
- NOW meet the most extraordinary gentleman spy in all fiction!...JAMES BOND, Agent 007!
- 007 The double "O" means he has a license to kill when he chooses...where he chooses...whom he chooses!
- The First James Bond Film Adventure!
- His name is Bond; James Bond.