Bond Retrospective: "Dr. No"

Released: 1962

Actor: Sean Connery

Villain: Dr. No (Robert Wiseman)

Henchman: Three Blind Mice

Allies: Felix Leiter, Quarrel

Bond Girl: Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress)

First Appearance: M, Moneypenny, SPECTRE, Felix Leiter


Plot: A missing operative sets Bond on a mission to discover his whereabouts. The operative was investigating Dr. No, and he and his secretary were killed by the three blind mice. Bond goes to the Caribbean to investigate, finding an ally in CIA operative Felix Leiter and his partner, Quarrel. They deduce that the dead operative was investigate Dr. No's Crab Island. A trip there leads to death for Quarrel, introduction to first Bond girl Honey Ryder, and an encounter with Dr. No, who is investigating a way to destroy American missiles for SPECTRE. Bond destroys the station and Dr. No meets his doom. Bond is rescued from his stranded boat by Leiter.


Thoughts: A good introduction to Bond, and to the underlying theme for the Connery era films, SPECTRE. There's a lot of ballyhoo for the first Bond girl, Honey Ryder. I see the appeal, but there were good Bond girls after her as well. The story itself is straightforward, not too convoluted, and shows the essential characteristics of the Bond: loves women, loves vodka martinis, skilled card player, no nonsense, and good one-liners. We were introduced to his gun, the Walter PPK, after he had to give up his baretta in the beginning. We saw M and Moneypenny, both rather briefly. Overall, a solid Bond movie, a good introduction, and a taste of what's to come.


 

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