All Aboard the Dragon! Dr. No Appreciation

What is the single aspect of DN you appreciate most?

For me it is Connery's performance. Intense, no-nonense and full of lethal charm. To this day Connery's performance in DN remains the best and the one that most closely approximates the Bond of Fleming's novels.

So much right with this one.

If we're only allowed one aspect then I agree: Connery. However, I would also highlight its:

cruelty - the first and most ruthless film, from the opening murders to the dispatch of Dent.
Its leanness;
luxuriant colour and lost Jamaica setting - the film doesn't look low budget;
one of the best film introductions for any character - 'Ambler. Erica Ambler';
Barry's - not Norman's- astonishing theme tune;
the electronic burbles of the opening credits;
superb - and highly influential - editing;
the comradeship - terrific camaraderie between Bond, Quarrel, and Leiter;
the sexually unashamed women whether the user Taro, natural Honey or the fabulously suburban Miss Trench;
Excellent supporting performances;
Witty dialogue - 'Leave the Beretta, Bond.;
The then contemporary and yet fantastic space age plot to topple America's rockets;
The nuclear lair beneath the bird shit;
The radio room at MI6...

I could go on.

Dr No is a terrific film. It's easy to forget how good the Bond films once were.

I think Dr No works on many levels, its not an action film in the modern sense but its more than just a thriller, its got a unique style and scope, eccentric and unforgettable characters, many memorable scene's like the three blind killers, Sylvia's legs playing Golf, the fantastically stylish first scene for Bond, the Jamaican backdrop, Honey rising from the sea, Dr No himself, Dr No's hideout etc etc.

But ultimately it all comes back to Connery imo, the way he effortlessly handles the character whether soaking up the luxury of the Casino, coldly despatching Dent, rolling his eyes as Quarrel and Honey talk of the Dragon or Sparring with Dr No he takes it al iin his stride and gives us a real character at the heart of events - there's no emo-wallowing or excuses to put us on his side, because he does it all withouit such twilightesque mechanisms.

Erica Ambler wrote:

So much right with this one.

If we're only allowed one aspect then I agree: Connery. However, I would also highlight its:

cruelty - the first and most ruthless film, from the opening murders to the dispatch of Dent.
Its leanness;
luxuriant colour and lost Jamaica setting - the film doesn't look low budget;
one of the best film introductions for any character - 'Ambler. Erica Ambler';
Barry's - not Norman's- astonishing theme tune;
the electronic burbles of the opening credits;
superb - and highly influential - editing;
the comradeship - terrific camaraderie between Bond, Quarrel, and Leiter;
the sexually unashamed women whether the user Taro, natural Honey or the fabulously suburban Miss Trench;
Excellent supporting performances;
Witty dialogue - 'Leave the Beretta, Bond.;
The then contemporary and yet fantastic space age plot to topple America's rockets;
The nuclear lair beneath the bird shit;
The radio room at MI6...

I could go on.

Dr No is a terrific film.

What she said.

Erica Ambler wrote:

It's easy to forget how good the Bond films once were.

Particularly that.

DR. NO remains one of the very finest Bond films. A timeless classic.

Bond's enthusiasm. I think that Connery was much less excited about the role by the time Thunderball and YOLT came out. In Dr. No and FRWL he is energetic and suave, in some of his later movies he seems a lot more bored.

Thanks for digging these threads out. I can't believe I've yet to post in here. While I think Connery was just as enthused in TB, Dr No features his sharpest portrayal of Bond. It's my personal favourite of all the Bond performances. Despite the cruel facade, and the charm when the moment asks for it, there's a vulnerability he's trying to cover.

A lot of what Ambler had previously said in this thread I massively agree with. It's a rare instance when we agree on something.

Ambler certainly summed it up well 6 years ago. DN works on every level. The current crop could learn a thing or two from it, particularly when it comes to running time and ditching the emo shit.