Casino Royale [DVD] [1967] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Released in 1967, Casino Royale started life as a serious Bond film, designed to rival (and capitalise on) the successful Eon series. When these plans came to nothing, the film was instead touted as a spy spoof, to star Peter Sellers in the Bond role, but due to Sellers' unprofessionalism (leaving before his scenes were finished) and various other production nightmares, the film gradually mutated into the overblown tribute to 1960s' pop culture that we all know, but don't necessarily love. However, despite its reputation as an unfunny, overblown disaster of a film, the fact is that Casino Royale is actually quite an enjoyable movie. Holding the whole thing together with his customary charm and good humour, David Niven (playing the `original' James Bond) gives perhaps his most impressive performance of the 1960s; when Niven starts saying lines like `be careful, that's my loose kneecap' and `it's depressing that the words `secret agent' have become synonymous with `sex maniac'', you can't help but buy into the film, and laugh with it, rather than at it. Barbara Bouchet, playing Miss Moneypenny, is one of the most attractive women I have ever seen, and the film features a veritable parade of gorgeous sixties' starlets wearing very little indeed. John Huston, William Holden, and Orson Welles do great cameos (I'll take Welles' Le Chiffre over `Nads' Mikkelsen's any day), and Woody Allen, back when he was funny, has some good lines as Niven's nephew Jimmy Bond. The sets and art design for the film are absolutely astounding, and tons of British comedy actors appear in minor roles, some funny (Geoffrey Bayldon, Ronnie Corbett), some not (Bernard Cribbins). But the best thing about the film is the music; Burt Bacharach's score for Casino Royale must be one of the most underrated in film history, and is annoyingly catchy. All in all, Casino Royale is by no means a great film, but it is a harmless and funny one.

A parody of not only Bond films but on film itself, Casino Royale nods and bows to all sorts of the genre, from sci-fi to westerns and everything between.

Think of this over-budget, swinging '60s design overindulgence as a pre- Austin Powers and you're halfway there. Peter Sellers is more Pink Panther than Sean Connery. David Niven, more like the granddad from UNCLE.

It's seldom outright hilarious but rattles off gag after gag and silly stunt after, well, you know, by now. Add some pretty cool special effects - a spaceship taking off from Trafalgar Square - as well as many cameos as you'd care for. Female beauties who adorn the sets and then turn nasty. Ronnie Corbett as you've never seen him.

I watched this during a spell of wintry illness and it cheered me immensely.
Most of it is pure nonsense, but always in an interesting 'doesn't matter if you don't get it' sort of offbeat way. Yes, it's often crass, sexist and all the things that Bond was renowned for and ultimately criticised for and then some, on top.

The DVD looks good though and plays in widescreen nicely.

You will be pleased to know that this UK release has ALL the extras on it as the american issue, full audio commentary with James Bond historians,plus the gem for me the making of Casino Royale in 5 parts great stuff loads of info about the film from the crew who worked on it!! runs over 40 mins plus the full cinema trailer.None of this is noted on the back of the box unbeliveable!! The film looks brill in hi def, and not forgetting that great Burt Bacharach score and Dusty Springfield singing The Look Of Love the whole thing will whisk you back to the swinging sixties YEH BABY!!!! Mark, Wallasey, Wirral.10/8/12