Dr. No highlights Bond's sadistic side

[@mrcrhartman]

Sylvia Trench clearly has a ring on her left ring finger, consistent with novel Bond who sleeps habitually with married women when home off mission. You have to infer he noticed the ring at the baccarat table and knew he was "in" when she bantered with him, having experience detecting unsatisfied married women and offering them an outlet. He was definitely a dark soul in Dr. No, that's the best part of the film. He treats Honey, an innocent, much more gently, adding complexity.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Yes, she's quite brazen. One of the situations where Bond is just content to be pursued rather than be the pursuer.

[@chadhetzel]

Just wanted to say how excited I am for this! You have done an excellent job with this anthology. I can't believe you're at the Connery era. Thanks again for all the quality content.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Thank you, Chad! I really appreciate that

[@chadhetzel]

You're most welcome. You are appreciated

[@RogEdwardsTV]

Of course when he says, "Bond. James Bond," he is infact mirroring what Sylvia said. "Trench. Sylvia Trench." So technicall she was responsible for the creation of the iconic line that was repeated in every movie since.

[@frankb821]

Dr. No's dryness definitely used to frustrate me more than it does now, as I've come around to appreciating not only how it contrasts with the later films, but how it wildly succeeded in setting in stone so many iconic aspects of the screen Bond. It is especially endearing to me now after having just visited Laughing Waters and other Dr. No locations in Jamaica last November. This is a film that constantly moves up the ranks, for me. Another triumph, sir!

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Thank you, Frank. I would love to visit some of these locations!

[@DafyddBrooks]

@@frankb821 with it being the first one. You can't blame it

[@the_narthex]

1- As this was the first 007 movie produced by EON, they certainly felt the need to introduce the character. I think a lot of the supposedly "unnecessary" scenes are there to flesh out James Bond a bit. You really do feel that you get to know him in this one. 2- For instance, I LOVE the added scenes with Miss Taro and Professor Dent. They really help flesh out who Bond is and what he's willing to do. 3- The score is often ragged on. Yet I think, if there were never another 007 movie (the horror!) and this were the ONLY time James Bond was on screen, I can imagine thinking, "What a cool score!" Simply because the theme music (especially the guitar) sounds so freakin' cool. I'd forgive a lot of the lackluster moments in the score and probably praise it for that theme music. I feel it's only because we compare it to later scores that it suffers. Though I must say, the two songs, "Jump Up Jamaica" and "Underneath the Mango Tree" are very catchy and lovable.

[@MickeyLeeBukowski]

I still think Dr. No is my favorite Bond villain. Joseph Wiseman is just so great in this role and does a lot with very little.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

He makes the most of his screentime to be sure!

[@Wolfman1491]

I love Connery in this film and Bond being portrayed as cold, ruthless and almost sinister in his own way is very interesting. To me he feels like a man who truly despises these people and he takes pride in his power over them, how simplistically he is able to dispatch them, he revels in the skill disparity he holds over everyone else, this goes for the way he sees women also, he can have them if he wants to but the thrill of the hunt is rarely there, as if it's a foregone conclusion. Connery is lethal here and he doesn't play a Bond who needs to find solace in the bottom of a bottle, he enjoys what he does and doesn't feel any remorse for killing these people.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

"Almost sinister" is a great way to describe Bond in this movie!

[@masudashizue777]

When there was only one Bond film, "Dr. No" was king, but as soon as others began to be made, it retreated into obscurity.

[@yestoadventure007]

Another grade analysis! Especially appreciate how you contrasted Fleming’s book Bond with Connery‘s first film portrayal. I’m dyslexic, so it took me until the Fleming reading challenge to read the books. I was very surprised how Fleming’s Bond was more three-dimensional, deep and introspective compared to the movie Bond. I think you highlighted this very well.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Thank you, Alex! When I finally read the books, the characterization of Fleming's Bond came as a surprise to me, too.

[@DanAtari2600]

In the mid-'90s I was collecting Bond soundtracks on CD, and for SOME REASON I really liked that "Underneath the mango tree" song. I would walk around the house humming or singing it like a loon. :P

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

It's an *insanely* catchy song.

[@danielasuncion9991]

@@DanAtari2600 Diana Copeland, a British (?) woman, singing in a Jamaican style, quite well.

[@danielasuncion9991]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond AGREED. I too had to learn more about that song, and the singer, after I watched that scene, where Bond carefully drops the needle on that record.

[@MultiCastorFiber]

I have really been looking forward to this!

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@timty8224]

Very fine analysis of the two principal flaws of "Dr.No." The dryness you accurately cite in its style was characteristic of much postwar British cinema. Films such as "Tom Jones," the two Beatles features and, of course, the later James Bond movies changed all that by the mid-sixties. And you're spot-on about the dismal portions of Monty Norman's score, almost none of which appears on the movie's soundtrack album. Little wonder John Barry was given full realm in scoring the subsequent films.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

We're lucky Barry stuck around.

[@danielasuncion9991]

I especially enjoy the scene where Bond makes a brief visit to the office of Professor Dent: The look on Sean's face, when he says, "Why so certain?" Dent, apparently, was not a very convincing liar. At all times, Bond is a gentleman, but he is an effective investigator: He begins to walk away, pretending that he has forgotten to take back a vital piece of evidence, and sure enough, Dent does not volunteer to give back the receipt.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

It's a good bit of casual interrogation.

[@danielasuncion9991]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond Yes! That's it, EXACTLY.

[@DafyddBrooks]

0:57 yeah thats true, its always facinating to watch DR NO to see where it all begun. 1:46 thats very important from the uk film industry point of view. 2:31 yeah its not really an action movie at all, a thriller perhaps maybe but still a slow one. Apart from the theme music and the ' the mango tree' song. theres no real theme of DR NO that stands out. but thats fine though as its the first. 6:15 yeah fair enough, ruthless but with style and duty ;) 10:59 yeah its a very violent looking imagery with the blood coming down and all. Goes to show this man means business. 15:00 even though i saw many Bond movies before i saw this one in 1997, but i knew that moment felt really special . 18:30 I mean thats why they hired the guy, someone who can do a great job when he has to and then slip back into his life with ease . 22:04 thats what i always think when ever I see those scenes 26:07 VERY good point and at 27:06 I reckon he's alot more scarier than alot of villians really 31:30 I like that haha 35:50 I suppose License to Kill did though, i'll give it that Nice perspective as usual, I cant wait for the rest of your Connery videos as he's the best from my point of veiw.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Connery is certainly the most iconic Bond.

[@DafyddBrooks]

@AnalyzeThisMisterBond the best, always THE BEST . No ones better than him . ;)

[@thecinematicguy]

Ryan, Another fantastic video! I have lost track of what videos I have/ not watched of yours so I’ve let the ‘KZbin Algorithm’ recommend what of yours to watch next :). I must say Dr. No is my favorite Bond film for innumerable reasons. That’s not what I’m here to comment about but what did drive me to comment (aside from complimenting your work) is something really poignant that you said. Towards the middle of the video you’re talking about the introduction of Sean Connery and how he is so cool and aloof (letting Sylvia ‘come after him’ at the tables) and you mentioned that Connery’s Bond never really lets anyone ‘get under his armor’ in any of his films. Not that I disagree with that statement but I am curious what moment do you think in his films is the closest to someone or event ‘getting to him’? For me that would have to be Thunderball when Bond is laying on the sand and tells Domino about her brother’s death. It’s a really tender scene and what really ‘does it for me’ with Bond being impacted is that he puts on his sunglasses. They say the eyes are a gateway to the soul and a great way to ‘dehumanize’ someone is put on sunglasses. We see police offers do this to maintain authority, and on a psychological level it really works. And to me it seems that Bond puts on his sunglasses to hide his emotions. It took me many, many viewings (and probably becoming an adult) to become aware of this defense mechanism on Bond’s behalf. Now that I think about it this whole ‘Bond’s armor discussion segues nicely to Casino Royale (2006) when Bond professes his love to Vesper. Any ways, I’m rambling but would love to know your thoughts on the matter! Thanks and Happy Holidays! Jeff of Washington, D.C.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Thank you, Jeff! He's very tender with Domino. I think you can also argue that you see the mask slip a bit when Aki dies in YOLT - that seems to get to him a bit.

[@erickortiz6806]

Which trigger mortis keyed off as well

[@revtlc]

The rocket-toppling was quite relevant at the time. The US was experiencing quite a few failed and embarrassing rocket launches.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Indeed! Bond has always pulled from current events.

[@EDC_Bond]

The plot about Honey having killed a man, and Bond telling her not to make it a habit, was straight from the book, I believe.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Indeed it was!

[@williamcoolidge9884]

I find it odd the gun barrel sequence is not Connery as the actor.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

It seems as though they weren't as fussy about the details like that when the series started.

[@LucasBenderChannel]

I'm really glad you're talking about the Connery era now, because I'm so familiar with it. I sadly had to skip your Moore and Dalton videos, because... I haven't gotten around to watching these films yet. 😬 But I will and I will jump right to your thoughts thereafter! :)

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

:::gasp!:::

[@LucasBenderChannel]

​@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond I know, I know 😂 I'm a late convert

[@richardcleveland1763]

D.C. Comics Showcase had an issue based on the movie Dr. No.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Well, whaddya know? James Bond is part of the DC Universe! (I kid.)

[@richardcleveland1763]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond If you Google "D.C. comics Showcase Dr. No" and choose image, you can find an image of the cover"

[@Paul_Whaley]

Dr.No isn't my least favorite Connery film, but it's also not far from the bottom. It's clear that the identity of the character/film wasn't really there, but it still turned out well. I'd agree that the pacing is a bit lethargic, and truth be told, I lose nearly all interest in the film right about when Quarrel dies. Between the pacing, the mediocre score (very 1950s B-movie sound IMO), and the kind of dull screenplay, I don't LOVE this film. As a travel log style film, I do think it's quite pretty. I also enjoy the "Bond Moments", like the scenes with Sylvia, him checking his hotel room, the execution of Professor Dent, etc. It's far from perfect, but I think that the franchise could have done much, much worse to start off. Love the commentary Ryan! Really looking forward to the next Connery film, as it's my favorite of his, and is nearly at the top of my Bond film ranking.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I like Dr. No's dinner with Bond too much to check out of the movie at the same point you do!

[@Paul_Whaley]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond I think that's a highlight for the last third of the film. I just don't vibe with most of the Crab Key sections, whether it be on the beach, or in No's lair.

[@jbjones07]

I really like this film, a strong beginning that informs people of what Bond's adventures essentially are. It was one of the first Bonds I had seen as a kid, and probably the first Connery film I'd seen all the way through; my very first Bonds were a couple of Moore's films. I outright hated Bond in this (this cold-blooded, aggressive character; Moore was ruthless too, but in a different way), but at the same time found him fascinating, and wanted him to delve deep into this mystery in this surreal world. People do critique it as being too low budget, slow paced, and not refined enough, but I think the grit and the strange atmosphere of the film overwhelm all those complaints. I easily see why Dalton and Craig often cite either this film or FRWL as an influence to their efforts.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

The rhythms of the film do give it a unique personality.

[@doncase2169]

decent analysis although as someone who caught this the first time around Connery's take on the character -albeit a little rough around the edges- is the most realistic take on the character and the first hour which today may seem a little dry was spellbinding in the 60's. In my opinion the only reason it isn't the best film in the series is because of budget limitations it's too short, needed another scene with Dr No and the ending while still wholly satisfying was rather abrupt. Monty Norman's score was just right for that film and the Jamaican influenced music inspired the 'Ska' movement which became a punk/new wave movement in the late 70's. The more you watch Dr No the better it gets...

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I'm glad you appreciate some of the things I don't (like Norman's score).

[@David62903]

Killed Dent with a PP not the PPK and the '6' Smith and Wesson is a '7' Colt. Guns and watches are always traditionally made fun of in Bond films.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Smoke and mirrors.

[@NH1973]

Dr No and FRWL are the only Connery films where he captures the real Bond character. From Goldfinger onwards, he begins playing himself. In my opinion, after FRWL, the real Bond only emerges again with Dalton.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Dalton is my favorite Bond, but I've enjoyed all the versions of the character to date.

[@belloq81]

Though I prefer the somewhat more modulated Connery performances that come in the next couple of movies, I still think his more menacing portrayal right out of the gate is really compelling. The film itself may drag a bit in the plotting, but I appreciate the "spend some extended time in an exotic place" stuff a lot; it deviates from the novel in some key areas, yet it still feels very Fleming.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

The role plays more to Connery's strengths when it warms up a bit. Connery has a gift for humor. But I like this darker take. It'd have been interesting to see the series continue pushing in that direction (especially given the very "Hitchockian" feeling of FRWL).

[@LucasBenderChannel]

I would never advocate for a Bond film to be remade. It's great that the series has kept moving forward, coming up with new stories and characters to keep us entertained. But if I HAD to choose one, it would be Dr. No, and that thought is with me everytime I watch it. There's something quite rough and charmingly unpolished about it, which is beautiful in its own right. But I wonder what a modern take on the story would look like, with a fully formed James Bond character already in mind. What if Dr. No hadn't been the inception of the Eon movie formula, but a film that already toyed around with the formula after it had been established? I'm not alone with this, but in my headcanon, there exists a "Just a mission" movie of Daniel Craig, that was released between Quantum and Skyfall. And in my mind, it's essentially a remake of Doctor No, with a lot of detective work, another run-in with Felix, but the same exact storybeats. Hm. Do you think his iteration of the character would even fit this story? I happen to think that Connery's coldblooded ease that you talked about in this video would translate quite well to the Craig character. These thought exercises of imagining one Bond fim coming out in another era are something I can spend days dreaming about. 😄

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Interestingly, there was some speculation that Doctor No would appear in NO TIME TO DIE! I'm not sure if that is true.

[@LucasBenderChannel]

​@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond I can totally see it, with Rami Malek and the aquatic layer.

[@lordbyron9950]

Isnt ever bond film a remake of Dr No