Dr. No (1962)

98% of critics liked it
(44 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(99,967 ratings)

Terence Young directed this first of a long line of screen adventures with Ian Fleming's unflappable British Secret Service Agent 007 in a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek style that set the tone for the rest of the popular series. Sean Connery sets the standard by which all future takers must measure… More Terence Young directed this first of a long line of screen adventures with Ian Fleming's unflappable British Secret Service Agent 007 in a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek style that set the tone for the rest of the popular series. Sean Connery sets the standard by which all future takers must measure themselves as the insouciant and devil-may-care James Bond. The story concerns Bond being sent to Jamaica to investigate the murders of a British agent and his secretary. During his investigation, he comes into contact with the evil and unscrupulous Chinese scientist Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman) who, living on an island called Crab Key, is hard at work in a nuclear laboratory. Dr. No's scheme is to divert rockets being fired from Cape Canaveral off their charted course and to blackmail the United States to get their rocket launches restored to normal. Helping Bond is Ursula Andress (mostly undressed in a bikini throughout most of the film), as well as bad gals like Zena Marshall, who almost leads Bond to his death in her bedroom, and Eunice Gayson, a Bond pickup in a London gambling house who proves herself a greater adversary than even James Bond can handle. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Terence Young
Written By: Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, Berkeley Mather
Genres: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 5, 1962 Wide
On DVD: Oct 22, 2002
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
All of the elements of the formula are there, but in pleasing moderation.
, Variety
An entertaining piece of tongue-in-cheek action hokum.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Of course, it's nonsense -- pure, escapist bunk, with Bond, an elegant fellow, played by Sean Connery, doing everything (and everybody) that an idle day-dreamer might like to do.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
While it may appear tame by the standards of the later productions, it's an entertaining look back in movie history at a project that developed into a worldwide phenomenon.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
The low-key mystery plot and the resolutely human-sized drama of it all makes this one of the sanest of all Bond pictures.
Elliot Panek, Common Sense Media
007's silver screen debut. Not for young kids.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
It's terrific entertainment, to be sure, but its unevenness keeps up from being a great film.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Capably brings together Caribbean travelogue, Gropius-type architecture, and cardboard computers with "danger level" plaques
Peter Canavese, ON Magazine
The Bond series developed a winning formula, and this prototypical adventure featured many elements that stuck...[Blu-ray]
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a fine cinematic introduction to the world's most famous secret agent.
, Film4
The Bond formula is established in this first, arguably more credible Ian Fleming adaptation.
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique
Still ranks in the upper echelon of the Bond series.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Less gimmicky, more charming.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The first entry in what was to become the most profitable movie series of all time is a solid, surprisingly modest spy thriller, enlivened by Sean Connery's screen charisma and occasional hints of the extravagance to come.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Essential viewing for any Bond fanatic.
, Time Out
As memorable as anything in the series.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Has an age-old Licence to Thrill

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Zach B

I've never been a big fan of James Bond. As much of an film lover as I am, nothing about him really appealed to me. Mostly due to him being such a staple of pop-culture that you don't really need to watch any of the films to truly understand how his character works.… More
I've never been a big fan of James Bond. As much of an film lover as I am, nothing about him really appealed to me. Mostly due to him being such a staple of pop-culture that you don't really need to watch any of the films to truly understand how his character works. Basically, he is displayed as being every teenage boy's dream idea of how a man should be: suave, powerful, seductive, and able to travel the world and take down pure evil mad men. While he serves that dream, he also serves as a reminder to older men of a simpler time when they would believe that that is what they would be when they grow up (yeah... not so much). But for me, none of the was really the case. I just viewed him as an icon that makes crap loads of money, feature beautiful women, and usually a wonderful opening song. So, at the age of 16 - edge of 17 - I decided to give a few of the Bond films a chance. Well, I decided to start with the original and my reaction is: it's okay. Okay, I am not a fan of spy films unless they are beyond intelligent, have an original plot, and is able to keep my attention. Dr. No, for what it was when it came out, must have been. But, looking at it now, this film seems more like a celebration of all the cliches in cinema with spy films that we have all come to enjoy. Now, this is not a bad thing. Just, seems a bit tedious to me. But what makes me love how these cliches are done is how well it is all executed. So, yeah. This film is silly, kind of idiotic, and the dialogue, to me, is a little bit to be desired, but eh. It is what it is and it is entertaining, though the pacing is slow. Now I need to talk about Sean Connery. With the idea of how Bond should be, he gets this nailed down. He is everything we look for, plus he is something I never really expected: a tad bit vulnerable. Mostly dealing with one scene with a spider. I mean, this is a guy that is almost killed on a daily basis, has beautiful women turn their backs on him, and yet he is afraid of a spider that is crawling on him. I am not trying to bash that part, but I just find it a bit funny that they show that Bond is afraid of a spider. But back to the acting wise, Connery did set the standard for Bond, and he does so with wonder. He is entertaining to watch, plus I do like how he is able to make any woman fall for him in a heart beat. Must be the martinis. For Ursula Andress, I will admit that I am disappointed with her. Yes, I am aware of her first appearance in the film being her walking out of the ocean in her white bikini, but I felt like they underplayed her. Her character, while she was thrown into a situation she never wanted to be a part of, had some potential of being strong and powerful. But, they kind of play her off as being a damsel in distress. I don't know. Maybe it is due to my love of seeing strong women that makes me kind of not like her character. Finally for Joseph Wiseman as the title character. The film buffs him up to be the giant, powerhouse villain. We see the damage he causes, hear his plans, see his dragon and underground layer, and he just appears and steals the show. In some aspects, his performance rivals Connery's in terms of him being the main actor. Only problem: he appears in the last thirty minutes of the film. I know that they spend about eighty minutes buffing him up, but I would of liked to see him a bit more, get to know him a bit more. A villain is only as good as the dimensions, and he only has one dimension. But for the dimension, it works Back to what I have said, this film is the stereotypical spy thriller through and through: one dimensional characters, action here and there, beautiful women, and entertaining as hell. My only last complaint would have to be the pacing for the first hour. It just seemed slow to me. But, in the end, for what it is, it is not bad.
Martin S

A good start for the Bond series. And a pretty good movie for beeing so old
Tim S

Great opening to what became a cultural phenomenon. Like all Bond movies, it had its strong points and its weak points. The biggest strong point to this one is its pace. It barrels along quite nicely and doesn't linger like some of the other films in the series. This is the main… More
Great opening to what became a cultural phenomenon. Like all Bond movies, it had its strong points and its weak points. The biggest strong point to this one is its pace. It barrels along quite nicely and doesn't linger like some of the other films in the series. This is the main one where a lot of inspiration for other films and parodies came from, well, at least moreso than the others. I like it a lot, even though I'm not a big fan of these films.
Alexander D

"Bond. James Bond." DR. NO, though denoted as a classic, is, yes, at times thrilling, reasonably talky, and witting, but the rest is just a boring, cheesy 1960s B-movie. Worth seeing, anyhow, bur probably only once or twice.
AJ V

Sorry, I'm not a Bond fan, I saw this movie and I loved Connery, but there were a lot of really boring scenes and I couldn't make sense of the story, I'm still confused about what Dr. No was trying to accomplish.
Lewis C

"Minnows pretending they're whales. Just like you on this island, Dr. No." The foundations for the later Bond films are all here in Dr. No. Beautiful, dangerous women, car chases, exotic locations, and a suave James Bond who deftly maneuvers through it all with a cool… More
"Minnows pretending they're whales. Just like you on this island, Dr. No." The foundations for the later Bond films are all here in Dr. No. Beautiful, dangerous women, car chases, exotic locations, and a suave James Bond who deftly maneuvers through it all with a cool head and an expensive suit. Dr. No has a slower pace than modern Bond movies, but that just allows for more time to salivate over the gorgeous Honey Rider once she is introduced. The finale in the island base reminded me so much of an Austin Powers movie, which goes to show what a good job that series did in spoofing the early Bond movies. Classic Bond can be quite an adjustment, if you were weaned on the more exciting and technologically advanced Brosnan movies like I was. However, if you watch Dr. No with an open mind, you will find it too has much of what makes the later movies appealing.
Jeff "

The first James Bond is a terrific start to an incredible series of action thrillers. Here Sean Connery brings Ian Fleming's character to life. Dr No. in a thrilling, action packed film with terrific acting. And as I have read every James Bond work by Fleming, I found that the… More
The first James Bond is a terrific start to an incredible series of action thrillers. Here Sean Connery brings Ian Fleming's character to life. Dr No. in a thrilling, action packed film with terrific acting. And as I have read every James Bond work by Fleming, I found that the film respected the book very well. Bernard Lee is great in the role of M and Ursula Andress is terrific as the first Bond girl ever to grace the screen. For me, she remains one of the most beautiful women of the Sean Connery era of Bond films. Dr No was the start of something great, and it's grandiose plot and locations proves it.
Wahida K

Dr.No truly the Best of James Bond. Sean Connery in his youth.
Randy T

When it comes to James Bond I am most definitely old-school. This is the one that started it all and, for me, there are few better. With surprisingly few effects and gadgets Dr. No delivers major thrills. Not to mention the iconic shots of Ursula Andress emerging… More
When it comes to James Bond I am most definitely old-school. This is the one that started it all and, for me, there are few better. With surprisingly few effects and gadgets Dr. No delivers major thrills. Not to mention the iconic shots of Ursula Andress emerging from the ocean in that white bikini (Wow!)
Bruce B

The first James Bond Film, Staring Sean Connery as 007. This is before all the great James Bond Gismo's. In this film James only had a pistol with a silencer on it. The beautiful Ursula Andress played Honey Ryder. Our villain is Dr No, who has an Island all to his own off the… More
The first James Bond Film, Staring Sean Connery as 007. This is before all the great James Bond Gismo's. In this film James only had a pistol with a silencer on it. The beautiful Ursula Andress played Honey Ryder. Our villain is Dr No, who has an Island all to his own off the coast of Jamaica. James goes there to put a stop to Dr No's Plans and along the way he runs into Our beautiful Lady, Honey Ryder. Not as thrilling as the newer Bond films but still stands out as the one that started it all. 4 Stars 007
Anthony L

Dr. Yes! The first and still one of the best. Ursula Andress coming out of the water is a seminal moment in cinema!
Justin Y

The year is 1962 and the very first James Bond film is brought to us from Terence Young.At just under 1 hour and 50 minutes, this James Bond adventure focuses a lot on Bond himself, and this isn't surprising. After all, this is the 1st of many James Bond films. We need… More
The year is 1962 and the very first James Bond film is brought to us from Terence Young.At just under 1 hour and 50 minutes, this James Bond adventure focuses a lot on Bond himself, and this isn't surprising. After all, this is the 1st of many James Bond films. We need to build him up.The plot is a bit weak in the early going as Dr. No's story is really kept in the dark. Heck, Dr. No doesn't even make an onscreen appearance until way after the halfway point of the film.Still, the first half of this movie is the better half. It is always interesting to watch Bond go through his investigative works to crack the case. The second half of the film may have the introduction of the first major Bond girl, Honey Ryder, but this is where the story drags. Speaking of the beautiful Honey Ryder, her introduction is just phenomenal as she emerges out of the ocean in a sexy white bikini.Sean Connery portrays Bond successfully. He is full of confidence and pithy comebacks. The gorgeous Ursula Andress gets the honor of playing Honey Ryder. Refer back to the statement of her emergence from the ocean.Dr. No may lack the fancy gadgets and a lot of action, but the characters and story are enough to make this a more than decent start to the James Bond series.
Lady D

The first Bond movie and the beginning of my working through all of the Bond films in order of release. Quite enjoyed the first half, I liked Sean Connery as Bond, but the second half really dragged.
Ross C

The first Bond has all the key elements there from the start, only it's just not quite so polished. The witty remarks aren't so witty and the pace not quite so exciting.
Corey W

I must admit. I've just seen DR.NO for the first time and to tell the hundred percent truth....I loved it! It was just that perfect movie to watch on a Saturday night. DR. NO is the first 007 movie that started the 22 film saga. There were plenty of bonds since this first… More
I must admit. I've just seen DR.NO for the first time and to tell the hundred percent truth....I loved it! It was just that perfect movie to watch on a Saturday night. DR. NO is the first 007 movie that started the 22 film saga. There were plenty of bonds since this first installment came out. Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore, Pierce Bronsman, Daniel Craig, and one more I cannot think of at the time. If any of you could tell me I'd be thankful. Lol. My favorite BOND In the years is Sean Connery, then, Daniel Craig. I like Sean Connery as 007 because he is the Bond that kisses the girls that don't want to be kissed, and he's the bad-@$$ Bond that does the un-expected. The BOND that delivers I could say. Don't get me wrong though, Daniel Craig and all the others are great too! But in my opinion, Sean Connery is the true James Bond. There has been twenty-two James Bond movies and DR.NO started the saga in which the books were written by Ian Fleming. Sean Connery was BOND in most of the Bond movies. I don't know exactly how many he was in, but I think...I think...he was in nine or ten James Bond movies. If I'm wrong then please correct me. Lol. DR. NO in my opinion is a PERFECT Bond movie because it has a great PLOT, BOND GIRL, ACTION, VILLAIN, and of course a TWIST. That sums up why this is a perfect James Bond/007 movie now doesn't it? I really liked the plot in this movie. I liked the last 53 minutes especially because I liked the adventure that went on, on the island. How James Bond, Honey Rider, and Quill tried to survive on the evil DR. NO'S Island. The movie flows very well and the movie is very very enjoyable. For a movie that came out in the sixties, the few explosions in the movie looked pretty awesome. The movie had some pretty cool visuals. The direction was made very well and the movie was written very well. The acting in the movie was by far amazing, I mean you really cant expect more from the amazing Sean Connery. Am I right? Or not? Lolz. I never once looked at my watch during this movie. NOT ONCE! Why, you might ask? Maybe because I was so into the movie that I didn't want to take my eyes off my TV screen. Yup. That's how great this movie is. It makes time freeze. Lolz. Recently, VAMPIRE2000 wrote reviews for all twenty-two 007 films. I've only seen a couple 007 movies at the time but after reading positive reviews of his, I decided to ask for 007 volumes to see the BOND movies. I got all four volumes for Christmas and I watched most of em' already. I watched this one first [Because it's the first BOND movie] and I really REALLY liked It. And its all thanks to the positive reviews from you Moviewebers that made me want to see all the BOND movies. Thank-you. I don't plan on writing a review for all twenty-two James Bond movies, I just wanted to write one for this first installment that started the famous series. The BOND girl. We'll which one. The Poker Playing Women from the beginning? Or Honey Rider from the island? Which one was the true BOND girl in this movie? I'd say Honey Rider! .lol! Why did I think Honey Rider was the true BOND girl in this movie? Because she shows her sexiness in this movie a lot more than the Poker Playing Lady did [I forgot her name so that's what I'm calling her. Lol]. Honey Rider showed her sexiness by wearing a bikini and walking slowly onto the beach or the way she talked and used her accent in a strong sexy way. Ya, i'd say Honey Rider wins in this BOND movie, the first Bond movie that is. lol. There is TONS AND TONS of BOND girls in the BOND movies. Out of all of the BOND Girls i've seen, the best ones need to be SEXY, USEFUL, and SMART. Not a idiot like some girls in the BOND movies. lol. In this movie, Honey Rider is all three. So she wins the medal for this first BOND movie: "DR. NO." In conclusion, thats all i have to say on the BOND GIRL subject but i do have more to say on the movie... This movie is great. Its got everything a perfect 007 movie needs. EVERYTHING! There is nothing wrong with this BOND adventure at all! There is perfect acting, action, and of course a perfect BOND girl but there is only one little downside. I had a hard time jumping into the plot in the first 30 minutes of the movie. I knew what was going on, but i just didnt understand why. But all my questions were answered toward the end of the movie. But i think all questions need to be answered why they happen or AT LEAST give a clue. But hey, that downside isnt much of a downer. And its no downer towards the movie, its my complaining and maybe i missed something watching the movie, but everything was explained to me, so that was good. So all and all, the downside is actually only a downer for a little bit until its answered. Do you understand what i'm saying? lol. I hope so. lol. We'll i got that out of my chest. SPOILERS: There was this one part in the movie were Bond is being tricked by a chinese assistant who works with DR. NO. She has sex with James to keep him there until one of DR. NO's professers gets there to kill Bond. We'll of course, Bond knows whats going on and still has sex with the assistant. lol. We'll thats Bond. That was a perfect twist. I had NO idea that the lady was working with DR. NO until how weird she acted when James showed up for there "SO CALLED" date. Thats when i knew the twist, the twist of her being one of DR. NO'S puppies. lol. It was a huge twist to me, i mean, i didnt see that coming when James got to her house and knocked on her door. THATS just the perfect twist. ALL movies need a good twist that nobody sees coming. EVERY SINGLE movie, even movies that already suck right when it starts needs a twist to survive my liking for it. All the movies i enjoy completly have amazing twists and THIS movie is one of em'! Great great twist! Thats all the spoiling i'm doing. In Conclusion, every perfect movie needs at least, AT LEAST one good twist that the veiwer of the movie doesnt see coming! This is thee first 007 movie ever! Its also one of my favorite 007 movies ever as we'll. Its got incredible acting, action, and of course its got a great sexy Bond Girl. The movie includes an amazing twist that no veiwer could see coming unless they were pychic. lol. THIS is the BOND movie that any James Bond fan will enjoy because its just amazing and great! This is the James Bond movie that you could watch over and over and over. If you havent seen this first James Bond movie that started it all then please go out and buy this movie, it will not let you down. I promise.
Chris G

Sean Connery defined the role of James Bond in Dr. No, the first official Bond adventure that takes him from Britain to Jamaica and the mysterious island occupied by Dr. No, scientist for SPECTRE, the evil organization intent on controlling the world. This first attempt at a full… More
Sean Connery defined the role of James Bond in Dr. No, the first official Bond adventure that takes him from Britain to Jamaica and the mysterious island occupied by Dr. No, scientist for SPECTRE, the evil organization intent on controlling the world. This first attempt at a full length Bond film really set the standard for how 007 would be portrayed for close to forty years. This was the prototype film that was added and subtracted from as the series went on. The film is very basic and feels almost low budget by Bond standards, but it stands as one of the best of the series and ushered in a new era and a new icon on the silver screen.
Cassandra M

No matter whether or not you like this film in the end...if you don't get some feeling of joy the first time Sean Connery says "Bond. James Bond." at the card table, I feel sorry for you. This Bond film has a lot less stuff going in it than most, but for what… More
No matter whether or not you like this film in the end...if you don't get some feeling of joy the first time Sean Connery says "Bond. James Bond." at the card table, I feel sorry for you. This Bond film has a lot less stuff going in it than most, but for what it's worth, and what it has inspired, it's a classic. People who can't tolerate and appreciate older cinema from the 60's might laugh at the action scenes, set and costume design of the movie, but if one considers the year in which this was made, it's all rather exquisite. The film is also full of things that would be considered politically incorrect, and the way Bond and Moneypenny flirt in the office would ensue mass sexual harassment lawsuits in this day and age. The film has an underused villain in Dr. No. Joseph Wiseman sets the standard on how Bond villains, and the majority of how other movie villains, act. One of the things that I love about Bond films is that you will see things that you will never see in other movies. I mean where else but a Bond film would a half Chinese, half German man with metal hands and a compulsive paranoia about radiation, with metal hands live on an island with a "dragon-mobile"? Dr. No is a definite good start to the Bond series. Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder may only be there for eye candy...but she's great eye candy. Sean Connery is Bond, and pure enjoyment while in this role. So if you are looking for a classic enjoyable movie, this is just what the doctor ordered.
Dean !

The first James Bond and still one of the best.
danny d

the first bond film and a great kick off to the classic franchise. bond has sort of become a genre all its own, and a great first film to anchor the series was necessary, this film did what was needed to make bond a milestone film character.
Matthew C

This is what started the franchise! Overall it's pretty decent, not the best of the bunch...but it's interesting to see how they lay the foundation for recurring themes in later films. Ursula Andress is also still one of the hottest Bond girls. Worth checking out or… More
This is what started the franchise! Overall it's pretty decent, not the best of the bunch...but it's interesting to see how they lay the foundation for recurring themes in later films. Ursula Andress is also still one of the hottest Bond girls. Worth checking out or adding to your collection.