Sir James Bond 007 in "Casino Royale" (1967) Talkback (Spoilers)

[A.Magik]

Casino Royale is too much…for one James Bond!



"It's depressing that the words "secret agent" has become synonymous with "sex maniac."- Sir James Bond

Release Date: April 28, 1967
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Directors: John Huston, Ken Hughes, Val Guest, Robert Parrish, Joseph McGrath
Starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Orson Welles, Woody Allen, Ursula Andress, Joanna Pettet, Daliah Lavi, Deborah Kerr, Jacqueline Bisset, Barbara Brouchet, John Huston, William Holden, Terence Cooper

Plot Summary: Sir James Bond comes out of retirement to stop Dr. Noah and his minions from gaining world domination.

Comments?

[Lord Dalek]

The second and probably worst (we'll see how the "official" adaptation goes) version of Casino Royale. This film is guilty of its own excess. Too many jokes and too few work. The only positive thing I can say about the film is in regards to Baccarat's lovely score which as we all know begat Austin Powers.

[A.Magik]

Ah yes, the infamous Casino Royale...
The first blow to the Bond series. Despite its independence from the official series, its appearance confused a lot of Bond fans. They misinterpreted this film as a sign on where the series was heading to, which hurt You Only Live Twice at the box office a few months later.
But I think CR is somewhat underrated. True, I wouldn't call it the greatest comedy, nor place it alongside the 'good-but-not-great comedy' category. But I don't think it's as horrible as many think. Sure, there are more misses and hits, but among the highlights include:
-Peter Sellers (who would make a convincing straight 007), Orson Welles, Deborah Kerr, Joanna Pettit, Dalilah Lavi, Woody Allen.
-The 'Mata Bond in Berlin' is the best skit in the movie; a surreal delight with memorable characters (Mata, Frau Hoffner) and lines (The Hoffner-denial-exchange: "You're insane child, qwite insane...").
-Mata Bond getting kidnapped by a spaceship at Trafalgar's Square: now that's something memorable to see...
-And, as usual, the music (the opening piece, the car chase piece, etc.)

A.Magik