Casino Royale
Sir James Bond is called back out of retirement to stop SMERSH. In order to trick SMERSH, James thinks up the ultimate plan - that every agent will be named 'James Bond'. One of the Bonds, whose real name is Evelyn Tremble is sent to take on Le Chiffre in a game of baccarat, but all the Bonds get more than they can handle.
Kris_12@Kris_12
Great movie! Personally, for me, it is an iconic movie. Perfectly describe that period of time. I really like films about guns and casino. I hoped that one day this movie will be re-captured based on new online casino rules nd with many fights and beautiful girls. I recommend that film for everyone!
Wuchak@Wuchak
_**Psychedelic secret agent satire with a superlative cast**_
A mysterious organization named SMERSH is killing off notable spies from top countries compelling James Bond to come out of retirement (David Niven). Peter Sellers plays a younger “James Bond” agent while Woody Allen is on hand as a diminutive “James Bond.” Orson Welles plays the lead heavy while William Holden and John Huston have small roles.
“Casino Royale” (1967) is notorious in cinema and generally loathed by critics & cinephiles, but it’s actually superior to contemporaneous spy satires like “In Like Flint” (1967) and “Fathom” (1967).
It was intentionally made with four different directors in mind for four separate segments, but ended up with six directors. There were originally 4 writers (if you include Ian Fleming’s book), but ended up with a total of 11. Welles and Sellers didn’t get along and refused to work together. It was one of the most expensive films of its day and cost more than any of the James Bond flicks up to that time.
Surprisingly, it all sort of comes together for a madly amusing 60’s secret agent farce despite the problematic Sellers being fired before all of his scenes were shot. I suggest using the subtitles so you can make out all the witty verbiage and follow what’s happening.
The female cast is outstanding with Barbara Bouchet (Moneypenny) and Joanna Pettet (Mata Bond) leading the way, but also featuring Ursula Andress (Vesper Lynd), Jacqueline Bisset (Miss Goodthighs), Deborah Kerr (Lady Fiona) and several others, including Caroline Munro and Veronica Carlson in cameos.
The movie is overlong at 2 hours, 11 minutes. It was shot in Ireland, Scotland and England.
GRADE: B-
drystyx@drystyx
Very boring comedy.
Mostly just forgettable.
Niven plays Bond, and the story tries to be funny, but the humor is too dry for me, or too lame. I'm not sure which it is.
I couldn't follow the story line, so let us just say it is confusing. A big climax at the end is something you probably won't expect.
Still, at 3/10, it is three times better than the serious 007 version of Casino Royale.