Every six months or so, as I re-watch and analyze all of the James Bond movies for fun, I always find myself temporarily forgetting, and then remembering, the awesomeness of Dr. No (1962). Yes, it’s the first James Bond movie, and yes, Sean Connery’s Bond sets the stage for the remaining movies, and there is definitely a reputation it has since it’s the first James Bond movie. But more often than not, I’d say Dr. No is underrated in fans’ top Bond movies lists, and the above Professor Dent (Anthony Dawson) interrogation scene is one of the many reasons why I’d argue as such.
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James Bond (Sean Connery) delivers his first one-liner in the first movie, Dr. No (1962) after Bond eludes and eventually permanently subdues a baddie in a car chase in his Sunbeam Alpine. The cinematography of the scene is without a doubt memorable and has a distinct, vintage look common in such movie scenes in the 1960s and earlier (and is sometimes replicated for nostalgic purposes in modern arthouse movies).
Anyways, after Bond drives his adversary off a cliff, he callously answers to a road worker’s “what happened” question with a menacing quip. In my opinion, it’s a bit brash for the scene, and doesn’t make complete sense. I mean, if they were on their way to a funeral, I guess Bond is technically implying it would be their own funeral since they die in the scene. But then again, the act of dying in a car crash isn’t really a funeral in and of itself…right?
Whatever. I never found myself laughing at the line, especially after the fiery death we are subjected to as the car plummets down the embankment. It’s also a bit odd (and I’m sure it’s a limitation of filming such a scene in the 1960s) that the car explodes in the passenger area and not in an anticipated spot such as the car’s engine or gas tank. The explosion happens almost in the front seat, and an obvious effigy flails wildly and burns as the scene ends.
So although it’s not the most appropriate or funny of James Bond one-liners, it still is significant as it’s the first ever – and there’s something awesome about that!
In Dr. No (1962), James Bond (Sean Connery) and Honey Ryder’s (Ursula Andress) first interaction on the beach is classic. Aside from Bond’s less-than-stellar octave attempting a verse of “Underneath the mango tree,” the scene is near Bond movie perfection.
It’s often referenced by the quote of this post’s title, but I prefer the exchange just after: “I promise I won’t steal your shells.” “I promise you, you won’t either.” It shows Ryder’s strength at the outset, but we later see a soft side as well, like when she winces regret when Bond strangles a henchmen in the river and expresses horror at Quarrel’s death. The series couldn’t have started off with a better first James Bond girl!
The sign for the Le Cercle club, where we first meet James Bond in Dr. No (1962)
I’m not sure you could dream of a more perfect way to introduce the world to secret agent James Bond, 007. From the start, an indirect request at a club entrance for James Bond, and a casual discreet walk through the casino until we end up in a seemingly high intensity baccarat game. The sexual tension is obvious and the facial expressions are memorable. We owe Trench, Sylvia Trench a debt of gratitude for teaching Bond, James Bond how to properly introduce himself in future movies. It truly is a scene all other James Bond movies would be well advised to replicate.
In this scene from Dr. No (1962), James Bond (Sean Connery) does his best crime scene investigator impression, and let’s just say – an episode of C.S.I. or The First 48 it is not.
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