09/05/2012: Casino Royale [1967]

Before Daniel Craig steeped up as 007 in 2006, Ian Flemming's novel had already been, shall we say adapted. However as it says in the opening credits of Charles K. Feldman's Casino Royale, the movie is merely suggested by the novel and be that as it may, Casino Royale is undoubtedly "Too much for one James Bond"





The 1967 Casino Royale is truly one of the most outrageous spoofs of the James Bond franchise, and yet it does so with an adaptation of an Ian Flemming novel. It does not just give us some talented ladies-man super-spy in an attempt to mock 007, it instead gives us Bond himself, as well as a few other agents carrying around his codename. 

I think it only takes watching the trailer to get anyone interested in watching the movie. Anyone famous with 60's films will recognize the all star cast Casino Royale has acquired, most of them playing 007 themselves. Combine this with the catchiest soundtrack imaginable, and a style of slapstick comedy rarely seen today and Casino Royale is going to guarantee a great ride for anyone.

As often as we know 007 removed his pants in the line of duty, it was rare we ever saw it.

Of course, as an adaptation of Ian Flemmings novel, Casino Royale does follow some of the storyline. I have never read the book but in comparison to Craig's first outing as Bond, there are some comparable plot points. While Craig may have been Bonds first mission, Casino Royale (1967) has Sir James Bond coming out of retirement to take on SMERSH. SMERSH translates to "Death to Spies" and was a Soviet counter-intelligence agency in the 40's. While SMERSH becomes SPECTRE in the official Bond films is it reference a couple of times. Of course the biggest similarity is of course, Le Chiffre and the poker game that gives the movie it's title.

Mention of Le Chiffre brings me to discuss the cast, which is quite the collection of what I imagine are big names from the 60's. Le Chiffre is played by Orson Welles, who I'll be honest, he rings a bell, but I don't know why. I thought he wrote 1984 but apparently that was George Orwell. You can see where I got confused there. Anyway, we also get Woody Allen, as Jimmy Bond, Joanna Pettet as Mata Bond and David Niven as Sir James Bond.  The other two names I recognized were Peter Sellers who plays who other than James Bond 007, and Ursula Andress as Vesper. Andress of course is the original Bond girl, Honey Ryder, although there are a few other minor characters who appeared in Bond films.

I'm getting a very "Yah Baby" Austin Powers feeling here.

The cast does a spectacular job of bringing Casino Royale to life, make it a hilarious and memorable experience that you will not however remember for the story. The general plot while existent, is nothing extravagant or complex, it is more over-the-top and ridiculous but as a spoof of the James Bond films that is exactly as it should be. There are many different series that spoofed Bond in one way or another, Our Man Flint which I reviewed a while ago, as well as Get Smart (the original T.V. series) but while they mock it in a veiled and more subtle way, Casino Royale does it right out in the open, using one of Flemmings own stories.

I must say though, for a movie with an vaguely memorable plot it is filled with hilarious scenes which one isn't likely to forget. The humour is constant and ranges from the most obvious to the more subtle, never feeling dry or overused. My favourite aspect of the movie however is undoubtedly the soundtrack. Unlike anything you hear today, the bugles and horns and whatever other instruments I could never identify, belt out a couple tunes that perfectly accompany the type of slapstick comedy that erupts so often during the Casino Royale.

This may have been my favourite scene.

While Casino Royale is now past it's 40th anniversary, it still holds up today as one of the best James Bond spoofs. The comedy isn't something you see often today, but it is still as funny or maybe even funnier with age. I think you could recommend this movie to any number of circles from fans of James Bond to spoofs, and from comedy lovers to classic film lovers. If you ever get the chance, don't pass up seeing Casino Royale, it is a great time.

Link:
Casino Royale IMDb