Product Details

• Actors: Barry Nelson, Peter Lorre, Linda Christian, Michael Pate, Eugene Borden
• Directors: William H. Brown Jr.
• Writers: Anthony Ellis, Charles Bennett, Ian Fleming
• Producers: Bretaigne Windust, Elliott Lewis
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Spy Guise Video
• VHS Release Date: February 2, 1998
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304867514
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,548 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Who was the first actor to play James Bond? If you answered Sean Connery, you would be wrong. In 1954, Barry Nelson played Bond in 007's screen debut: a 1954 live t.v version of the first James Bond novel "Casino Royale". Spy Guise Video now makes this amazing and historic program available - complete with the restored ending missing from previous video versions. This deluxe collector's edition also features many extras: an exclusive overview of the life of Ian Fleming and the "Casino Royale" legacy hosted by Lee Pfeiffer, co-author of the best-selling book "The Essential Bond: An Authorized Celebration of 007". Additionally, this version contains rare promotional advertisements, photographs, and information about James Bond clubs, magazines and officially licensed collectibles. No James Bond fan will want to be without this definitive collector's edition of 007's screen debut. Recorded in the SP mode for superior quality.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rare, restored footage featured in this collector's edition, December 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Casino Royale: The Collector's Edition [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This 1954 live CBS t.v. broadcast introduced James Bond in his screen debut. Amazingly, he is played by American Barry Nelson, which makes this a fascinating addition to the Bond legacy. The show has been released on video previously. However, this is the only one in the SP mode and it is also the only one which has the long missing climax restored. There are a wealth of enjoyable bonuses, including rare t.v. ads for the 1967 big screen version of "Casino", an informative introduction about the history of Bond and Ian Fleming, hundreds of rare photos, and information about 007 fan clubs and merchandise. A "must" for 007 collectors.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Hour of pleasure: A must for a James Bond fan, November 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Casino Royale: The Collector's Edition [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If someone ask you who was the first actor to play James Bond, don't answer Sean Connery. The good answer is "Barry Nelson". This is the original adventure of "Casino Royale". In this movie, James Bond is a american agent (CIA) And Felix Leiter is a British agent. The mission: Bond is sent at Royale-les-Eaux to bankrupt soviet agent "Le chiffre" played by Peter Lorre(he is wonderful in the role of Le Chiffre). This movie is more serious than the version of 1967. In this video, yo will see a introduction by author Lee Pfeiffer(the incredible world of 007) explaining the history of the novel "Casino Royale", the T.V special(Climax:Casino Royale) and the 1967 movie with Peter Sellers, David Niven and Ursula Andress. All Bond fan must have this VHS before this video get unavailable.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WRONG MALTIN REVIEW!!!, June 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Casino Royale: The Collector's Edition [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Leonard Maltin review on this page is NOT, repeat, NOT, for the CASINO ROYALE being sold!!! Maltin is reviewing the cinema version which was a spoof starring Peter Sellers, David Niven, Woody Allen, Orson Welles, and a host of others. This spoof has been locked up in legal hassles over the years (making it unavailable in video) and its ownership has just recently passed to MGM-UA. The CASINO ROYALE being sold here is the TV version made in the 1950s which costars Peter Lorre. DO NOT BE CONFUSED!!