Dr. No

[Originally published at DVDMon.com in 2000]

Dr. No (1963) - (Other Action)

Film: ****
Audio: ***
Video: ***1/2
Extras: ****1/2
Value: ****
Overall: ****

Studio: MGMProduced: 1963Rated: PGRunning Length: 110 min.DVD Release: 5/16/00Case: Keep Case CaseVideo: 1.78:1 (Anamorphic/Enhanced for 16x9 TV’’s)Audio: English DD 1.0, Spanish DD 1.0, French DD 1.0Subtitles: NoneRetail price: $30Low online price: $20-->

Every film series has to have a beginning, and while Dr. No is not necessarily the best of the James Bond films (From Russia with Love) nor the worst (A View to a Kill), it does hold the distinction of being the first. In this initial adventure, 007 is sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of another operative. While there he uncovers the fiendish Dr. No, an ally of that international organization of evil, SPECTRE. The movie introduces the Bond aficionado to numerous elements which have come to epitomize the spy chic of the series: exotic locales, diabolical villains, buxom beauties, and rampant political incorrectness.

To a degree, it is the un-PC nature of the James Bond films which helps the series maintain a level of illicit appeal. Bond seduces no less three women through the course of the film, and flirts mercilessly with others. In a day and age where sex can equal death, this attitude seems almost naive. Misogyny aside, a truly disturbing side of Bond is the slight undercurrent of racism. The character of Quarrel (John Kitzmiller) comes off little better than one of the wide-eyed supporting roles played by Mantan Moreland (numerous Charlie Chan films and King of the Zombies). The most egregious example of is Quarrel’’s superstitious belief in the "dragon" of Crab Key. For him to be a part of voodoo would be one thing as it is a real religion, but believing in fire breathing monsters is another. (An interesting sidenote: Quarrel’’s son appears in Live and Let Die which does use voodoo as one of the story devices.) By forcing him to believe in a myth, the story strips him of emotional weight. Of course, 1962 was a world where civil rights were being fought for with real blood, not the stage variety. Such frivolities, of course, were below the radar for a spy concerned with stopping the scourge of evil.

Perhaps, I’’m taking shots at Dr. No because it is considered a classic film. It is an exciting fantasy world that Sean Connery illuminates for us with his prototypical panache. But, it is interesting to look back from the cusp of the 21st century and marvel at the simplistic and partially backwards world of 007.

The DVD is a standard bearer for other like-minded releases, offering two documentaries (one on the origin of the film series and the other on Bond’’s first director). There are also a variety of trailers, ads, photos, and posters archived on the disc. Last, but no least, is the commentary track which hosts an almost dizzying array of people involved in the production. The sound is presented in glorious monophonic splendor and letterboxed for 16x9 enhancement.

- Review By Chris Peltier