Customer Reviews

Dr No [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(154)
4 star:		(76)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

My comments apply only to the newly released Blu Ray version.
I will not review the film it's self since everyone has no doubt seen it at least once.
I have waited 2 years for the Bond films to be released in a HD format, and the waite was worth it.
The picture quality of this old film is simply awesome. The color saturation, the "depth" and contrast are very film-like.
I felt like I was discovering the film for the very first time.
Watching it on my 60'' display, it looked like I was seeing a brand new, fresh from the lab, film print in my own living room.
And it gets better, I am told (but havent viewed my copy yet) that Thunderball looks even better.
If you are a Connery James Bond fan, and own Blu Ray, this is a no-brainer.
Highest possible recommendation, and Amazon has it for a good price.

A landmark film in many respects, "Dr. No" (1962) introduced Ian Fleming's 007 to cinema audiences. Despite the author's initial objections, Sean Connery defined the character of James Bond with his remarkably self-assured performance. Ursula Andress' iconic beauty and Joseph Wiseman's restrained villainy were equally memorable. Thanks to the contributions of director Terence Young, set designer Ken Adam, editor Peter Hunt and composer John Barry, the 007 style was immediately established in this Jamaican adventure. Producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli should be applauded for getting the most out of their limited budget. "Dr. No" succeeds as an unpretentious spy thriller - minus the gadgetry and gimmicks in later Bond outings. The film's impact on popular culture cannot be underestimated.

Outside of Bond fandom very few people know that Sean Connery was actually the second actor to play the character of James Bond. In the 1950s there had been a television production based around Ian Fleming's first spy novel "Casino Royale" in which American actor Barry Nelson had played 007 as a US spy with Clarence Leiter as his British counterpart.
Fast forward to the early 1960s and work is once again getting underway to bring the fictional spy to the screen. Cast in the lead role is what one UA executive referred to as a "lorry driver" and with a small budget (a measly $1 million) there seems to be little hope for the fledgling franchise. Yet when Doctor No (the final choice for the first of the series) hits screens it changes the film industry, sending reverberations the likes of which are still being felt today.
Staying largely faithful to the Fleming book of the same name (something that was not to last) the rather modest movie set screens afire, helped enormously by the performances of Sean Connery and Swiss beauty Ursula Andress. In fact for many, Andress is the quintessential Bond girl, establishing one of cinema's most iconic images as she emerges from the sea in a white bikini).
Right away the trademark violence is evident as three assassins murder a British operative and his pretty secretary in Jamaica. The break in communication has the British nervous and they send for their top agent.
Switch to a smoky casino in London. And we see the back of a man, his hands moving his cards about the table and then taking a cigarette out of its case. Lighting it he is fully revealed and the trademark line "Bond, James Bond" is heard on cinema screens for the very first time.
Arriving in Jamaica Bond learns that the missing operative was investigating the mysterious character of Doctor No who operates from a private island named Crab Key. Determined to learn the truth he arranges to sneak onto the island with his colleague Quarrel to discover the truth behind the disappearance.
Taken on its own Doctor No is a nice, taut, suspenseful movie with some wonderful performances from its leads. New York actor Joseph Wiseman is particularly chilling as the title character with his metal hands (some disfigurement or quirk has since become a necessity for Bond villains). Taken as the initial outing in a franchise the movie is a low-key effort that ably sets the stage for the films that were to follow. Today this movie rarely tops people's lists as a favorite in the series, but that is largely because in the ensuing years the Bond series came to mean spectacle and special effects, often at the expense of good storytelling.
Initially released on DVD in the cardboard snapper cases with only Bond trivia to complement it, in 2000 MGM did the movie justice by reissuing it as a special edition with improved video and audio and a nice collection of extra's. For the time the Bond special editions were considered the "cream of the crop" as far as DVD releases were concerned.
Here we have an audio commentary which is comprised of spliced together interviews from earlier - many behind the camera had since passed on including director Terence Young. Added to that is a documentary on the making of the movie including on-camera interviews, some archival and some new and a documentary on the aforementioned director. Rounding out the set us the usual collection of promotional material.
An easy movie and DVD to recommend.
On a sidenote - work is currently underway by Lowry Digital to restore this movie, if audio and video is of primary importance to you then you might want to wait until that is released in 2006.

Outside of Bond fandom very few people know that Sean Connery was actually the second actor to play the character of James Bond. In the 1950s there had been a television production based around Ian Fleming's first spy novel "Casino Royale" in which American actor Barry Nelson had played 007 as a US spy with Clarence Leiter as his British counterpart. Fast forward to the early 1960s and work is once again getting underway to bring the fictional spy to the screen. Cast in the lead role is what one UA executive referred to as a "lorry driver" and with a small budget (a measly $1 million) there seems to be little hope for the fledgling franchise. Yet when Doctor No (the final choice for the first of the series) hits screens it changes the film industry, sending reverberations the likes of which are still being felt today. Staying largely faithful to the Fleming book of the same name (something that was not to last) the rather modest movie set screens afire, helped enormously by the performances of Sean Connery and Swiss beauty Ursula Andress. In fact for many, Andress is the quintessential Bond girl, establishing one of cinema's most iconic images as she emerges from the sea in a white bikini). Right away the trademark violence is evident as three assassins murder a British operative and his pretty secretary in Jamaica. The break in communication has the British nervous and they send for their top agent. Switch to a smoky casino in London. And we see the back of a man, his hands moving his cards about the table and then taking a cigarette out of its case. Lighting it he is fully revealed and the trademark line "Bond, James Bond" is heard on cinema screens for the very first time. Arriving in Jamaica Bond learns that the missing operative was investigating the mysterious character of Doctor No who operates from a private island named Crab Key. Determined to learn the truth he arranges to sneak onto the island with his colleague Quarrel to discover the truth behind the disappearance. Taken on its own Doctor No is a nice, taut, suspenseful movie with some wonderful performances from its leads. New York actor Joseph Wiseman is particularly chilling as the title character with his metal hands (some disfigurement or quirk has since become a necessity for Bond villains). Taken as the initial outing in a franchise the movie is a low-key effort that ably sets the stage for the films that were to follow. Today this movie rarely tops people's lists as a favorite in the series, but that is largely because in the ensuing years the Bond series came to mean spectacle and special effects, often at the expense of good storytelling. Initially released on DVD in the cardboard snapper cases with only Bond trivia to complement it, in 2000 MGM did the movie justice by reissuing it as a special edition with improved video and audio and a nice collection of extra's. For the time the Bond special editions were considered the "cream of the crop" as far as DVD releases were concerned. Here we have an audio commentary which is comprised of spliced together interviews from earlier - many behind the camera had since passed on including director Terence Young. An easy movie and DVD to recommend.

I always considered DR. NO to be one of the better Bond films and closer to the literary James Bond created by Ian Fleming. Sean Connery's performance is that of the no-nonsense dedicated civil servant. His screen presence alone conveys the physical, intellectual and moral conviction of the character. He is essentially a modern day version of the white knight slaying the dragon for Queen and country.

Joseph Wiseman as Dr. No is one of the best villains of the series. His steel mono-toned performance is eerily unsettling. He remains one of the most enigmatic villains in the series. He is a villain moved more by unfounded revenge than by greed or riches. You almost sympathize with him as he makes futile overtures to Bond imploring him to join his organization. It seems that Bond is the only man capable of appreciating his intellect. Not even Dr. No's backers, Blofeld and S.P.E.C.T.R.E. are worthy of his talents.

Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder leaves one of the most indelible images of the series as she emerges from the sea clad in her white bikini. She is characterized by the simplicity of her goodness and naivet' as she is drawn into a vortex of worldliness that Bond further engulfs her in. Rather than that of a supposed sex object, she exudes a raw femininity found only in nature. Bond can not help but feel that he has corrupted her both deliberately and inadvertently in his blind quest to revenge the deaths of fellow agents. This is the very strength of Richard Maibaum's script, here and on subsequent Bond films.

These films, the better ones, are about Bond, his adversaries, his loves and his friendships. Jack Lord was the first of many actors to play Felix Leiter, Bond's CIA friend. "Friend" in the world of James Bond is not a word used casually. Lord seemed the one actor to visually convey the camaraderie that existed between these two characters. John Kitzmiller gave a very good performance as the loyal Quarrel, one of the most important characters in he entire series. This character epitomized the dormant qualities found in the instincts of the common man. When called upon in the death struggle of good vs. evil he is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Anthony Dawson as Professor Dent seems perfect as a man who knew better than fall into an inescapable web of subterfuge that Dr. No has spread from his island to the mainland. Zena Marshall as Miss Taro is a more willing participant, as she appears eager to overtly display her sensuality and share her sexual appetites openly with Bond. She is supposed to lure Bond to his death. Finding this not the case she enthusiastically offers herself to Bond. It is in these scenes that Sean Connery displays a certain animal screen presence that no other actor has ever equaled in the role.

Many elements that distinguish a James Bond movie were introduced in this film. The opening gun barrel trademark, "The James Bond Theme," Bernard Lee's portrayal of the inimitable M, Lois Maxwell's portrayal of the desirable Miss Moneypenny, Ken Adam's innovative and distinctive production designs, Maurice Binder's unique main titles, the "Martinis shaken not stirred," just to name a few are all here.

Director, Terence Young, always boasted and took relish in how he supposedly shaped the look and feel of the James Bond series. This is quite possibly true when looking at DR. NO. It is a film visually rich with well-detailed and defined characters. It also has an uncanny feel for the settings inspired from the Ian Fleming novels whether it be Bond's intelligence headquarters in London, the exotic sights and sounds of Jamaica or the incongruity of Dr. No's plush lair hidden in the mosquito invested swamps of Crabe Key.

DR. NO is also characterized by quick paced editing by Peter Hunt. Hunt's innovative technique keeps the story moving visually and unobtrusively which also further defines the cinematic world of James Bond.

But coming full circle, it is Sean Connery's performance and screen presence that intrigues and captures the imagination of the viewer. Given the sets, the music, the script, the locations and all the other elements, it all comes down to how Sean Connery fits and moves through this cinematic world that has been created for James Bond. Sean Connery's performance is indeed that of Britain's dedicated civil servant. DR. NO is the benchmark.

The restoration of the picture and sound on this DVD edition of DR. NO s outstanding. The images are outstanding. A very good job was done re-mastering the sound in digital stereo. There is very good stereo separation. The extras are pretty good too concentrating a lot on Ian Fleming's creation of James Bond.

I won't bother with the details of this movie. It is an all time 007 classic to say the least. The Blu Ray version of this film is absolutely stunning and spectacular. Viewing it on your HDTV will make you feel like you are on actually on the set while the filming is taking place. The scenes filmed outside are gorgeous and filled with deep, rich natural colors...unbelievable....and what can I say about the infamous Honey Ryder beach scene? My jaw was on the floor and I felt as if I was on the beach with the characters. Top to bottom, you won't be disappointed at all. The extras on the Blu Ray are great too. Highlights from the extras are: (1) Behind the scenes at Lowry Digital Films which talked about the process for restoring the original film with before and after scenes from the restoration; how they did some of their "magic" was beyond me but I'm so thankful for it. Geeks will appreciate the views of Lowry's operation center with 500+/- G5s, 300+ G4s, and 1GB ethernet network connecting it all. (2) Backstory of how Dr. No came to be on the big screen which included in-depth interviews with several of the actual producers, writers, actors, and players involved. How impressed was I overall with the Blu Ray version of Dr. No? I haven't written a review on amazon.com since March 2006 and was compelled to do so for this version of the film. I will definitely be buying the Blu Ray version of "Goldfinger" (which Lowry Digital re-did as well).

This review refers to the MGM Special Edition DVD od "Dr. No"....

How dissapointed was I, when I saw this transfer of this great classic by MGM to Dvd?..REALLY dissapointed. If you already own the VHS..hold on to it for a while longer, even if you see it come on TV you will probably get a better picture and sound quality then you do with this package. I'm not saying it is not a viewable film, just that when you get a DVD, especially one from a production studio like MGM, you expect better. The film itself seems to be in pretty good shape. Even the colors are good. But the picture seemed grainy and the sound was the worst.
With all the great action and music in this film it should have been at least in stereo, 5.1 would be even better. The dialouge was less than good. I had to keep back tracking to hear what I missed and had to keep turning the volume up and down. I've seen alot better on transfers of films much older than even this one is. And there's more...now this may be just my copy, but there was alot of pausing and skipping thoughout the film. I have recently purchased a new DVD player that is pretty state of the art, and any DVD that ever skipped on my old player does not skip now..except this one....Please MGM...try again with this one.

Okay, okay, so now that I got that off my chest... I Love "Dr. No!" The first(of 20) in the 007 series(based on the novels by Ian Fleming), made in 1962 is exciting , full of action and lots of fun. Sean Connery in his first of 7 Bond movies sets the bar for all the ones to follow. And I must also mention that Ursula Andress likewise sets the bar for the "Bondgirl".

We meet James for the first time, where else..at a gambling table, looking dapper as ever in his tux, where he immediatly catches the eye of a beautiful woman who cannot resist him. Although he must leave immediatly on his first assignment, he does have a few minutes to spare for the lady. Then off to beautiful Jamaica, where the movie is filmed and the action begins.

James begins investigating, the murder of the agents stationed there and all roads lead to the manical Dr No(Joseph Wiseman), who has secluded himself on a small island and is killing anyone who gets too close. Dr. No is messing with the U.S. Space Program and must be stopped before he can strike.

Once James does get himself onto the Island, he first meets 'Honey Ryder"(Andress), who is a vision as she makes her entrance emerging from the water like some beautiful mermaid. Together they fight off the army of Dr. No's guards,and thwart the impending disater.

You'll meet "M"(Beranrd Lee) and "Miss MoneyPenny"(Lois Maxwell) for the first time in this one. "Q" and all his gadgetry have not made into the story yet. There are the great cars and car chase scenes. You'll get that "Bond" feeling immediatly as the theme begins. And don't forget to look for Jack "Book-em Danno" Lord.

A great start to a great series.The DVD does come with some great extras. I especially enjoyed the featurette about Sean Connery fitting into the mold of the first 007, which was made at the time of the filming of Dr. No.(see tech info for complete list of bonus material.) If your a huge fan and cannot wait for a better DVD to come along then go ahead and have that first vodka martini with James and here's hoping for a new restoration. Enjoy....Laurie

This one remains my favorite from my 007 list (which only includes those with Connery and Brosnan). Dr. No is the perfect introduction of the entire James Bond series. From the beginning of this movie you will come across gadgets that only 007 can have, girls that only 007 can date, and troubles that only 007 can handle!

Sean Connery plays role of an MI6 agent who will do any thing for his Majesty's order. His acting was improved in the later movies like Gold Finger, and Thunderball, but he still manages to pull the show brilliantly in this movie. Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder looked stunning from the scene one of her appearance. However, my favorite in all the James Bond series is still the sweetest female of all "Lois Maxwell" as Miss Moneypenny!

My favorite soundtracks are: "Underneath the mango tree", "Jump Up", and the "The Island Speaks". Overall, a DVD worth adding to your collection and a must if you are a Bond fan too!

This is where it all started, and it can be easily overlooked with 21 more recent Bond films out there. Despite the fact that Dr. No goes all the way back to 1962 and has a very low budget of 1 million, you will be rather surprised to see how well this film is, even for today's standards, if you have not seen it. While I did not originally doubt it would have a decent story, the older picture quality and sound kept me at bay. Now with the digital and auido upgrade of this re-release, it's a perfect time to go back (or begin) with great nostalgic Bond, performed by the great Sean Connery - arguably the best Bond to ever fill the screen.

If you know about From Russia with Love and Goldfinger, and the fact that they are two of (if not) the best Bond films ever made, Dr. No comes up a little short. Naturally though, since these 2 later films were given a bigger budget among other things to expand on. For what Dr. No was allowed for its time, it produced a fine movie with an exceptional story that can still compete with anything produced today. I think the smaller budget kept the focus on story, and that's what makes Dr. No most memorable, and most engaging. The pacing was fabulous and every scene was intriguing whether it be the presence of fascinating characters or the beautiful on location shots of Jamaica. The villain's entry came 2/3 through the film, making it all the better. His name was such focus throughout, that you were so curious that when he was finally revealed, it was a powerful event. Dr. No came off as one of the more natural Bond villains, but his easy defeat was a bit dissapointing to see.

If you have never seen Dr. No, you must watch it now. You will not regret it unless you can't help but desire an overload of action on your plate. For everything else a great Bond film is and perhaps more, Dr. No carries it well.

Acting - 4
Action - 3
Characters - 4
Story - 5
Overall - 4.5

Got two words forya: Ursula Andress.

By far one of the most lasting and beautiful images in all of Bond is Ursula's character emerging from the Jamaican surf. It is captured exquisitely in this digital restoration, and is worth the price of admission alone.

Now, what about the rest of this effort? Well, it's the most faithful of all the Bonds to Ian Fleming's original story. The plot tracks closely, the dialog is almost verbatim, and the characterizations are just like what Fleming wrote.

So, "weaknesses" of the film can be traced straight back to Fleming. We're not ready, I guess, for "historical melodrama" in Bond, perhaps because we're not ready to see the early segments of our own life experiences labelled as "history."

Fleming wrote out of his own time. And there are significant downsides to this: the "invincibility" of the British Empire, colonial imperialism and all, come through very clearly. But there's more: racism, classism, and the divine right of being born British. In a lot of real ways, Fleming is a snobbish jerk, and so is Bond. This movie just makes it all too plain.

The result, though, is what counts. The viewer is shaken, but not stirred.