Year Released: 1962 (1963 in the U.S.)
Movie Rating: **1/2 (stars of 4)

Movie Notes -

  • US Release Date: 8 May 1963
  • Total Worldwide Gross: $59,600,000
  • James Bond: Sean Connery
  • Locations: Jamaica, London
  • Enemy: Doctor No, SPECTRE
  • Main Bond Girl: Honey Ryder
  • Bond's Friends: Felix Leiter, Quarrel, CIA
  • Pre-title Sequence: None
  • Enemy Plot: Provoke attack on U.S. by launching missles from Jamaica
  • Music: Monty Norman
  • Title Track: James Bond Theme by Monty Norman
  • 007's Car: Sunbeam Convertible
  • Q Branch: Walther PPK
  • Produced by: Albert R. Broccoli/Harry Saltzman
  • Directed by: Terence Young
  • Doug's Ranking: Doctor No is #13 of 18


    This film kicked off perhaps the most famed film series in history. When then unknown Sean Connery uttered the words, "...Bond, James Bond", the biggest film franchise in film history was started.

    Doctor No begins with the murder of Professor Strangways and an agent at the MI6 connection in Jamaica. When MI6 discovers that there is no response, they send James Bond to investigate the situation. Bond runs afoul of multi-enemies and several women.

    James teams up with Quarrel, a Jamaican native, and the CIA's Felix Leiter to find out what is going on on the island of Crab Key. They go out to the island where Bond meets Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress). Bond, Ryder, and Quarrel search the island, all the while being chased by the opposition and guard dogs, and are finally aprehended. Bond and Ryder are taken to Doctor No's headquarters where they find a way to sabotage his operation and flee the island.

    On thing I liked about Doctor No are the various beautiful locations. The film is shot in Jamaica which looks absolutely awesome. Sean Connery looks good as a young Bond, Andress is a great Bond girl, and Felix is among the best in the series. With breathtaking chases, amazing stunts and a bold, nerve-shattering climax, this outrageously entertaining adventure pushes the envelope for non-stop thrills and magnificently sets the standard for the most popular movie series of all time.

    Overall Rating: B-

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