Dr. No

Writing about James Bond outside the context of films would be a pretty thankless job (or rather would require a special text). So I wouldn’t want to waste much space here. I don’t believe anyone expected that the film “Dr. No,” which even for that era (the sixties) was made quite cheaply, would spawn the “James Bond” media franchise, which today is certainly worth over 20 billion dollars, which has made 25 (+ 2 Non-Eon titles) films (next year “No Time to Die” is coming to us), brought world fame and money to numerous actors, actresses and musicians (or simply “boosted” both), and the producers (i.e., directors) of Aston Martin, BMW, Beretta and Walther keep an icon of St. James Bond in their offices.

Of course, let’s not forget Ian Fleming’s 14 cult novels that started it all, followed by, if I’m not mistaken, some 40+ post-Fleming novels.

The franchise has spawned a pile of comics, some 20+ video games, radio shows, various figures and toys and whatnot.

Of course, let’s not forget the popularization of various (military) gadgets hidden in cars, cigarettes, lighters, pens, bags, watches, etc…

The creation of the fictional character James Bond is also a story in itself. James Bond was (allegedly) created as an amalgam of several historical figures (about 15) that Ian Fleming knew (or heard stories about), but it’s assumed that the central figure could be the famous Dušan “Duško” Popov. I don’t want you to think this is the goal of subtle promotion of patriotism/nationalism (because Popov was Serbian), but many pieces of information from different sources point to this. One of them is that a British secret service agent (tasked with monitoring Popov), witnessed a scene where Popov, in a Lisbon casino, bet then-80,000 dollars (today that would be over 600,000 dollars), to force his opponent to fold.

That observer-agent was Ian Fleming. And that event was later used for the cult scene of “Casino Royale.” Duško Popov was a triple agent, whose primary task was to misinform the Germans. They say he was quite bold and cocky. He loved good drinks, expensive cars… and, of course, beautiful women. A real playboy (one of his loves was also the famous actress and beauty of that time). He’s considered to have played one of the key roles in Operation Fortitude. His secret names/code names were “Duško” and “Tricycle.”

Of course, there are still criticisms of James Bond’s personality, but that too would require a special text. The biggest criticisms are about his treatment of women (that he’s a great misogynist and sexist who sees women only as “bodies” for fun or “tools” for carrying out missions, and that he sees them as inferior), as well as that there’s (occasionally) nostalgia for “British imperialism”… though the first item is criticized the most. And because of that, many believe James Bond doesn’t fit today’s standards of a “hero,” that a more serious change must be made to his character.

As for me, I’d just say a few words, honestly.

The film James Bond was created in the sixties, and his psychological pattern is quite established according to the economic-geographic-political situation of that period… and then slightly “macho” enhanced. And he as such became canon. In the following decades he was slightly changed and adapted to the modern period.

You’ve all heard the phrase “winners write history.” But also, admit it, you don’t like the idea that pressure from the powerful in any form (whether military, media, historians, or environment) changes/tailors your (personal/political) history. There’s a risk you’ll lose identity (one thing is “loss of identity” in the sense of positive personality transformation, but here we’re talking about fictional characters, whether it’s a book, film, series, comic, cartoon, video game). That can become a risk if you decide to make a complete identity change of some film hero.

For example, I never experienced the character of James Bond as a “hero,” not even as a tragic hero or antihero. He’s simply (especially from the male side) a cool character. He exudes confidence, he’s charismatic, always in shape, not afraid of a fight, conquers (and takes to bed) the most beautiful women, drives crazy cars, drinks the best drinks, he’s rich, surrounded by action. But no one said he’s without flaws. As an agent he’s often heartless and unscrupulous, he’ll complete tasks at any cost, regardless of victims, everything is in service of the job (that is, Her Majesty).

I have a feeling I’m repeating myself (I can’t remember if I’ve already mentioned this somewhere or said it), but I believe the vast majority of men are mature enough not to be frightened by the concept of a “strong woman” or to think that LGBT is a virus transmitted by handshake. You don’t have to change James Bond. Change the environment around him. Create worthy competition for him. The MI6 secret service doesn’t consist only of 007. Create a female secret agent who will match him (but create a complete personality, not an agent who has to be a woman who aggressively spouts feminist stories and spits on 007… remember Mulan and how feminism did more harm than good to itself there). She can be 008 (and before someone feministically inclined thinks “yeah, there you go, talks one thing here, and there a woman ranked below a man”: if you know James Bond films and comments related to agent 008, you get the impression it’s someone more capable than Bond. Literary and film canon doesn’t say much about agent 008, except in one place that it’s probably the code name “Bill”), you have other 00 numbers that aren’t filled (and allegedly one of the 004 agents is a woman). Create competition for him, not pure opposition or a counterpart.

Dammit, if it’s such a problem, I’ll write you a fan-fiction about female agent 008, and such that it will satisfy both our (male) lust and show her as a capable woman, with personality, characteristics and qualities such that both misogynists and sexists will go and buy a diamond ring with the comment “this is my future wife.”

But let’s leave poor J.B. alone… and I’ve written too much again.

Anyway… let’s turn to the film. ^^

“Dr. No”…

The MI6 secret service activates James Bond with the task of going to Jamaica and investigating the disappearance of the MI6 section chief (Strangways) and his secretary, whose disappearance and murder are probably connected with attempts to block signals for potential missile launches from Cape Town.

From the moment he arrives in Jamaica, it becomes clear to Bond that someone is following him. Traces in Strangways’ house lead him to contact with local boatman Quarrel, through whom we also meet Bond’s famous (future) acquaintance, CIA agent Felix Leiter.

In the end, it turns out the concrete trail is that Strangways disappeared somewhere around the island “Crab Key,” to which no one is allowed access (and the local population believes a dragon lives there), and which is held by a mysterious Chinese-German businessman-scientist. Nothing suspicious there, right?

With Quarrel’s help, Bond manages to sneak onto the island and then encounters the beautiful Honey Rider…, who secretly comes to this island in search of shells (but soon her real agenda is revealed too).

However, Bond and Honey are captured (Quarrel wasn’t so lucky), and meet Bond’s first (film) rival, Dr. Julius No (just in case anyone wondered about that “Dr. No” :D), a man who was once in Tong (not in thongs, but it’s a criminal organization), from which he escaped with (their) 10 million dollars and is now a member of the secret organization “SPECTRE” (Spectre) with whom he collaborates on evil mastermind plans (I won’t reveal to you right now what the plan is for this island), and who has prosthetic limbs, specifically hands made of iron.

Whether James Bond will prevent the evil Dr. No in his plan, as well as whether he’ll manage to escape with Honey from this island in time, you’ll find out if you watch the first feature film about James Bond, “Dr. No.”

Although it’s considered a classic, it’s unrealistic to declare this the best J.B. film. Yes, Sean Connery and Ursula Andress set the standards for James Bond and Bond-girl, against which all upcoming Bonds and ladies will be compared. We hear the famous J.B. musical theme for the first time (and every fan has at least once, when no one was watching, known to loudly “play” for themselves “Dindirididiri dindiridiri dindirididiri dindiridiri dindiridiri… DIRIIIIII DIRIM DIIIIIIIIM!”). Exotic, sexy location, introduction to SPECTRE… all that stands.

But even by early 60s standards, the film was made quite modestly (when you watch “From Russia with Love,” which appeared the next year, everything will be clear). And there were quite a few challenges. Many film studios refused to take this film (with comments that it’s “too British” and “too sexual”), and finally when someone dared, they got a miserable budget, even for that time. If, while watching the film, for many scenes (and scenography) you think they seem “cheap,” don’t think it’s because the film was made in the 60s, but they really had to “tighten their belts” to the maximum even then. Quite a few interesting facts can be found (on the internet) about the development of this film. The script also had to be changed, so in the end it turned out quite straightforward and predictable.

Nor was Sean Connery (at that time he was 32 years old) the first choice for James Bond at all! Many characters were in circulation (even the legendary Cary Grant), there was also some kind of special casting too. The producers then met with Connery, who allegedly came quite casual and rumpled (in those days they probably called it “peasant,” today we call it “hipster”), but from the moment of meeting started “acting” macho and nonchalant attitude in conversation, so they simply said “he’s the one.” This scene explains everything.

Ursula Andress wasn’t the first choice either, but was chosen two weeks before filming began (when producers saw her picture shown to them by her then-husband, actor John Derek… whose, by the way, fourth wife was Bo Derek), because the producers couldn’t find an attractive enough and, ahem ahem, “endowed” actress for a long time… obviously the choice was good. But do you know that another actress “lent”/”fixed” the voice (better said, a redub was done) for Ursula Andress, because Ursula had a strong Swiss-German accent?

Oh yes, a lot had to be fixed in this film.

The star is, of course, the legendary Sean Connery (left us this year in October, he was 90 years old). For me he was and remained a great actor and character. Not only is he (at least for me) still the best James Bond / 007, but he’s one of the rare actors who managed to make quite a few more excellent films after Bond. In the film, Scotland’s “national treasure” showed charm and talent for acting. As the old folks said, he was a real “jack.” Ursula Andress… well, I don’t know what much should be said about her. Although she appeared only halfway through the film, the very scene of her appearance in the famous white bikini, while emerging from the sea and humming (of course, only after she came out of the sea, she wasn’t singing underwater, for God’s sake), is still considered one of the cult (film, fashion and sexy) scenes in cinematography (for God’s sake, even her bikini has its own Wikipedia page… and what have you accomplished in life? XD). But it’s not all about beauty, she showed enough acting potential, which brought a “Golden Globe” too. Bernard Lee became the legendary Bond’s superior, M, who appeared in the next 10 Bond films and who won audience sympathies in this episodic role. Of course, when Miss Moneypenny is mentioned, everyone first thinks of Lois Maxwell, who was in the role of M’s secretary (and Bond’s flirt-sympathy) until 1985.

A few more interesting facts:

Did you know that the legendary Christopher Lee (by the way, Ian Fleming’s cousin) could have been Dr. No?

For car lovers, Bond’s vehicle of choice in this film is the Sunbeam Alpine.

The film was mostly shot in Jamaica.

The budget for the film (even for that time) was only 1.1 million dollars, and it grossed over 16 (and a total of 59.5 so far) million! WOW, good job!

As we mentioned, “Dr. No” is a classic, and something that spawned an excellent franchise. The film is interesting, and will always be in the top 10 films about the adventures of 007 J.B., though I think it’s held in that top mostly by nostalgia and the significance it had for the entire franchise, rather than the quality itself. But without further ado, the film is entertaining, charming and can be considered part of general (film) culture and an absolute recommendation for viewing. I’d have to remind myself of all the films, but I think “Dr. No” could be put in my “top 10 J.B. films.” 🙂

And you, dear reader, is “Dr. No” in your “top 10 J.B. films” too? 🙂

Trailer

IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic

Format: Film

Premiere: 1962

Duration: 110 minutes