Who found a crack-proof lens to FINALLY take a photo of this rough and ready reviewer?!?
Who found a crack-proof lens to FINALLY take a photo of this rough and ready reviewer?!?
Member since:17.07.2004
Reviews:55
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Casino Royale was the first book by Ian Fleming featuring Commander Bond.It has to be said, this is not an official Bond film, with such a star studded cast it is hard to believe, although the rumour is the next Bond film will be based on this novel.
Background ----------------- Director's licence has taken over a bit I feel, but it does not detract from the film. It is slapstick and comedic and should not be compared with the regular Bond films. It should be seen as a parody, especially as it was originally made in 1967, a few years after Dr No was released.
Intro ------ The film starts in France, in a gentleman's outdoor WC with a meeting with 007 and a lieutenent from the French Special police. This sets the tone of the film, as it seems to flit from place to place and can be a little awkward keeping up with all the jet set travel! Once acquainted, the theme tune penned by Burt Bacharach kicks in and, if you think you have heard it before, try playing some
of the 2p flippers at the seaside, especially if called Hi-Roller.
Plot ------ Once the theme tune dies away and the trace of light broadens, we see three black cars heading towards a junction where a white limo is parked awaiting their arrival. Inside the black cars are the heads of the CIA, KGB, French special police and MI5. They have been brought together to meet the worlds greatest secret agent, 007 who, since announcing retirement, has lived in seclusion whilst the world turns to anarchy. The reason, SMERSH sabotaging global stability.
Once back in the field, 007 finds his reputation being challenged by SMERSH, who ultimately try to eradicate Mr Bond once and for all. SMERSH uses female agents armed with, amongst other things, exploding homing grouse! 007 decides that to fight these agents, all agents wiil be known as James Bond 007, including the female agents!
I don't want to spoil it too much if you do find the film on the DVD shelves or on TV early one Saturday or Sunday afternoon. But I will say that the plot twists and turns more than a bendy coastal road, is very surreal and has lots and lots of recognisable faces.
Cast ------- David Niven has been cast as the original 007, with Peter Sellars as Evelyn Tremble, a Baccarat expert who, once trained becomes 007. Joanna Pettet is Mata Bond (007) with Ursula Undress (OOPS! Slip of the fingers) Ursula Andress as Vesper Lynd (007) Following all the 007's yet?! Other hit names (of the 60's) in the film include Orson Welles, John Huston who also directed, Dahliah Lavi, Kurt Kasnar, Colin Gordon and Deborah Kerr. Other faces cropping up include Bernard Cribbens, Richard Wattis, George Raft and Ronnie Corbett ( Yes, wee little one half of the Two Ronnies!)
Special Features ----------------------- The DVD is not essentially packed with special features but it does have subtitles in 10 languages including English, French, Spanish, Norwegian and Danish! Hard of Hearing subtitles available in English and German. There are also five soundtracks available. English (obviously!), German, French, Italian and Spanish, so could be seen as an alternative educational aid for anyone studing one of the four aforementioned languages.
Availability -------------- I have to say in recent years this has become harder to find, being a regular in the bargain shelves. I picked up the VHS version about 7 years ago for £4.99 and just 18 months ago replaced it with the DVD for £8.99. If you were to ask on the high street or search online, I am sure you will be able to source a copy somewhere.
Smash Hit or Dull Thud? ---------------------------------- This film is definately a must for anyone who has watched a Bond film. Very comedic, laugh a minute although it can be hard to follow in places if you fall asleep and try to pick it up again with the help of chapter selection! 2 hours and 6 minutes long, so pretty average if compared to regular Bond films. All effects are showing their age, but what do you expect for a film approximately 38 years old! Some interesting items crop up and the gadgets are not to be sniffed at! I can safely say that the film will leave you stirred, not shaken!!!
Best bit? In the training school with Geoffrey Bayldon and John Wells fitting out and guiding Peter Sellars under..... well, I don't want to give TOO much away!
I hope this has tempted you to watch the film. Thanks for reading - enjoy the film!
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Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
John Huston was only one of five directors onCasino Royale, the expensive, all-star 1967 ... more
spoof of Ian Fleming's 007 lore. David Niven is the aging Sir James Bond, called out of retirement to take on the organised threat of SMERSH and pass on the secret...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
![Casino Royale [DVD] [1967]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78531290.jpg "Casino Royale [DVD] [1967]")
Feb 14th, 2005
(Feb 15th, 2005)
very helpful by (100%):
![Casino Royale [2006] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/77998143.jpg)
