PART ONE

1. Casino Royale 1954 Dvd Series
2. The First Casino Royale Movie

INTRODUCTION AND TWO

VERSIONS OF CASINO ROYALE

(Note: All timings quoted refer to the PAL releases, unless otherwise stated)

• Sean was the first actor to play bond in a 'theatrical' movie. But in 1954, 8 years before Dr. No hit the screens, 007 was introduced for the first time on Television broadcast. The movie was called Casino Royale, based on the first novel by Ian Fleming.
• Sky Chrome Media did a wonderful job with the restoration (remastered version) of this 1954 Climax. This review is for the 2012 Sky Chrome Media Inc version. There seems to be a mix of reviews on different version of this 1954 Casino Royale. This version is the complete version with the complete ending. Time for a fish fry and a 007.

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To date, there have been an almost-countless number of releases of the James Bond films, on just about every home video format, from VHS to Laserdisc, from VCD to DVD, often with multiple releases in each format. No doubt we will soon see them make their debut in High Definition.

After studying the films’ home video history two things have become apparent. Firstly, some of the films have been treated better than others over the years, and secondly, many of the films have been released in such a variety of cuts, that it is hard to determine which - if any - are the definitive versions.

This guide does not pretend to be the last word on the subject, but it does attempt to provide some information about each film, and how they have been treated over the years. It also provides information about the variant cuts of some of the films which have appeared over the past five decades. Hopefully the Guide will provide answers to some long-standing questions, and even offer some information you never thought you’d need to know! Along the way we shall also be taking in the first ever live-action depiction of James Bond, in the 1954 TV adaptation of Casino Royale, and the two “unofficial” James Bond movies (the 1967 version of Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again).

CASINO ROYALE - 1954

We start with the television adaptation of Casino Royale, first broadcast as part of the Climax Mystery Theater series, on the 21^st October 1954. Barry Nelson starred as James Bond, and Peter Lorre played his nemesis, Le Chiffre.

Although long thought lost, this has since been released all over the world, in a variety of different prints. The version that most people will be familiar with is the one included as an extra on the Region 1 release of the 1967 film version of Casino Royale (see below). This version on this disc, as with most other versions in circulation, is missing the very ending of the show, and cuts to the end credits just as Bond asks Valerie to telephone the police.

The most complete version to date would appear to be an American VHS released by Spy Guise Video in 1998. This version includes the whole of the final scene. Spy Guise announced that they had plans to release the same uncut print on DVD, but it has yet to appear.

It should be noted that none of the versions available in any format are in particularly great shape, but we should be grateful that it exists at all.

CASINO ROYALE - 1967

Upon securing the film rights to the novel Casino Royale (which, because of the 1950s TV adaptation, were still up for grabs, unlike the rest of Fleming’s novels) noted film producer Charles K. Feldman initially tried to interest Harry Saltzman and Cubby Broccoli in co-producing a new version of the tale, this time for the big screen. However, they turned his offer down.

Colombia, however, jumped at the chance, and decided to press ahead with their own version. Initially, the film was to be a very serious adaptation, one very faithful to the source material. Feldman even approached Sean Connery to see if he’d be interested in taking the lead role. Connery also turned him down, however. It was at this point that Feldman decided that the only way to approach the material was to make it a spoof of the “official” Bond series.

In the end, the film, beset with production problems, wound up costing between twelve and thirty-four million dollars to make (depending upon which sources you believe), making it by far the most expensive Bond film produced to that point, and quite some time after, come to that.

In the end, at many as five directors and at least ten writers contributed to the final product, which, perhaps understandably, was more than a little difficult to follow in places, not least because Peter Sellers, finding it impossible to work with Orson Welles, walked off the film before he’d finished shooting all his scenes.

Nevertheless, the film does have a special place in many fans’ hearts.

A neglected gem, this film, starring Barbara Bouchet and, er, some other people, presents us with what is, without a doubt, one of the most perplexing mysteries surrounding any of the Bond films.
The theatrical running time of Casino Royale was, according to the BBFC, 142m 29s (at 24fps). The longest video/DVD running time is 125m 38s at (25fps). Even accounting for PAL speed up (which would make the theatrical cut come in at around the 138m mark), that’s still a shortfall of about quarter of an hour. Intriguingly, on the back of the R1 DVD, the length is clearly listed as being around two-and-a-quarter hours (which would almost tally with the BBFC listing of the theatrical cut). The DVD itself is, sadly, the same cut we’ve all been used to for years.

The premiere and press screenings of the film contained a “comedic” gunbarrel sequence at the start of the film, involving a champagne bottle that disappeared by the time the film premiered to the public, but that would hardly account for a fifteen minute discrepancy. So, the question is, what happened to that 142 minute version?

Onto the various DVD releases of this film, and, perhaps not surprisingly, Casino Royale has never really been given the sort of tender, loving care it deserves, with neither the Region 1, nor the Region 2 releases distinguishing themselves.

The anamorphic R1 release contains both the original mono mix, and a new, 5.1 Dolby track and, generally speaking, looks very nice indeed. However, the original Columbia logo is replaced by a modern day MGM one, and moments of (easily repairable) film damage make their presence felt, as if to remind you of the film’s bastard status. One particular sequence, in which Evelyn Tremble is talking to Vesper, whilst performing press-ups, suffers from a gigantic tear during one shot (at 52’ 29”). This tear is not in evidence in the R2, though, interestingly, the footage from some of that sequence on the R2 does look to be slightly faded and pinkish in tone, possibly indicating that they lifted sections of the scene from another, inferior, print to cover similar, or perhaps even the same, damage. It is down to personal taste which is more objectionable; the tear, or the badly colour-timed replacement footage.

The R2 also retains the original Columbia logo at the start, but, unfortunately, is non-anamorphic. It is also missing the 5.1 remix, a Val Guest interview, and the TV edition of Casino Royale, all of which can be found on the R1.

The R2 release does, however, contain two trailers to the R1’s one. The Theatrical Trailer (which urges the audience to “Join the Casino Royale Fun Movement!”) is common to both regions, though whilst the R1 version is in widescreen and taken from a decent source, the R2 is in far rougher condition, and cropped to 4:3, resulting in some painfully bad compositions. For instance, it takes whoever is in charge of the transfer two attempts at getting Barbara Bouchet’s name on screen without cropping it. Perversely, the second, “teaser” trailer on the R2 copy is presented with anamorphic enhancement, unlike the film itself. Both trailers contain footage that didn’t make it to the final cut, which makes them both invaluable to completists.

PART TWO - THE SEAN CONNERY MOVIES

Mission
The very first screen appearance of James Bond 007, made in 1954 for US TV channel CBS. Bond's task is to destroy the evil Le Chiffre, and his plan is to force him to lose a large sum of money at the gambling tables of Casino Royale.

Release Data
US Premiere: October 21, 1954 (CBS)
Part of the 'Climax!' TV Series (1954-1958)
Running Time: 60 minutes

Best Line
US Leiter: 'Are you the fellow that was shot?'
Bond: 'No, I'm the fellow that was missed'

History
Contrary to popular belief, the honour of being the first actor to play James Bond fell not on Sean Connery, but on American Barry Nelson, who starred in this live 1 hour production of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale. The performance on 21st October 1954 (8.30pm EST) was the first in CBS's 'Climax' series of dramas.

CBS brought the rights for Fleming's first book for $1000. Since then the rights have gone via Charles Feldman's spoof of 1967 to Eon Productions, who picked them up in early 2000. The film, which is black and white, was actually lost until 1981, and even then all of the various VHS incarnations (except the Special Edition from Spy Guise Video) lack the climax of the film, stopping with Le Chiffre apparently dying, but having just got the razorblade from his hat.

Plot
The film is quite loyal to Fleming's version, with a few changes of nationality and sides. It starts with Bond being shot at but ducking behind a pillar outside the casino. Leiter (who is English and whose first name is Clarence) approaches 'Card Sense Jimmy Bond' as he is nicknamed, and is met by the first Bond one-liner (see 'Best Line').

Over supper Bond explains Baccarat to Leiter and the audience, and Leiter explains the CIA's Bond (not 007) his mission: Le Chiffre, the Soviet spymaster in France, is in financial difficulty, but intends to save his life and Communist funds by winning it back at the casino. Bond's job is to clean him out.

Matters are complicated when Bond's former lover, Valerie Mathis turns out to be a communist agent with Le Chiffre. They meet in Bond's room, and knowing about Le Chiffre's bug they turn up the music and kiss, before acting their parts for the villain.

The next night at the casino the game takes place. Bond is told if he wins, Valerie will die. Bond is beaten by Le Chiffre, but then gets an extra donation, with which he cleans out the 'toad'-like villain. Valerie disappears, and Bond returns to his room after dealing with a henchmen using a gun disguised as a cane. He hides the cheque just before Valerie comes (she is in fact a French agent, who supplied the extra donation), but Le Chiffre and his men capture them. Bond is tied to a bath and tortured by having his toenails removed with pliers (rather than Fleming's version using a seatless cane chair and carpet beater).

Valerie gives away the location of the cheque, but helps Bond reach the razorblade in Le Chiffre's cigarette case, which he had left on the bath. Bond escapes, and overcomes a henchmen. Le Chiffre enters the bathroom with a gun, and he and Bond shoot each other. Le Chiffre is more seriously hurt, but reaches another razorblade, hidden in his hat. Bond says 'call the police' just as Le Chiffre lunges. Bond fans with bad videos will now be infuriated as they miss the climax. Bond dodges the razor blade and finally overcomes Le Chiffre.

Above: The final scene which is missing in all VHS releases except the 1997 Special Edition by Spy Guise Video.

Review
Peter Lorre is superb as the villain Le Chiffre. His toad-like looks and menacing acting make him a great villain. Michael Pate is annoying but acceptable as Englishman Leiter, and Linda Christian is competent enough as Valerie Mathis, although her looks are taken away from by the black and white.

But what about the first James Bond? Barry Nelson is just about okay. He is handsome and about the right age, and unlike Roger Moore he has at least read the books, although his Americanisation of Bond takes away slightly from Fleming's cold character. Nelson was born in San Francisco, California on 16th April 1920, and was a regular actor in mid-sized roles on Broadway in the '40s. Since Casino Royale he has appeared in 'Airport' (1970) and 'The Shining' (1980). So how did he do? Certainly he is credible as Bond, although he lacks flair. He delivers the one-liners sharply, and his interpretation of the role is not too bad, although being an American he will always look out of place. Nelson's Bond is hard and cold, as 007 should be. He struggles at the fight scenes (hardly surprising considering the production was filmed live) but he does a reasonable job, with a similar quality of acting to Lazenby.

The picture itself, directed by William H Brown Jr. and written by Antony Ellis and Charles Bennet, with music by Jerry Goldsmith is reasonably filmed, and remains tense throughout (an effect slightly spoiled by the needless use of Act intros). Obviously the usual special effects are lacking, but overall this is a credible performance of Fleming's book, with good production values and passable performances.

Casino Royale 1954 Dvd Series

Availability
Spy Guise Video now made this amazing and historic program available back in 1997 - complete with the restored ending missing from previous video versions. The added ending restores the final confrontation between Bond and Le Chiffre in which Bond comes out victorious. There is a traditional Bond ending 'with a kiss' and then the credits appear.

This deluxe collector's edition also featured many extras: an exclusive overview of the life of Ian Fleming and the 'Casino Royale' legacy hosted by Lee Pfeiffer, co-author of the best-selling book 'The Essential Bond: An Authorized Celebration of 007'.

Additionally, this version contained rare promotional advertisements, photographs, and information about James Bond clubs, magazines and officially licensed collectibles.

The First Casino Royale Movie

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