 | Starring: Peter Seller....Evelyn Tremble/James Bond/007, Ursula Andress....Vesper Lynd/007, David Niven....Sir James Bond, Orson Welles....Le Chiffre, Woody Allen....Dr. Noah/Jimmy Bond Directed by: Ken Hughes, John Huston, Joseph McGrath, Robert Parrish, Val Guest
Written by: Wolf Mankowitz, John Law, Michael Sayers
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1967
Country: UK
Language: English
Runtime: 131 min
Media: dvd
Imdb:
Rating: 7
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Sir James Bond, a spy from the old school (a good spy is a pure spy) is called back to service by the death of "M" and the imminent collapse of civilization. The opposition tries to compromise him, but even as nubile young agents are thrown at him, he remains above it all. Going beyond parody to sillyness, every agent is renamed James Bond, 007 to confuse the enemy, including Woody Allen who plays, Little Jimmy Bond.
If ever there was a film that felt like a funny acid trip this would rank right up there with Danger: Diabolik!
Just at the height of Sean Connery's James Bond as a massive film franchise spanning Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice along comes a little film called Casino Royale. Through a strange loophole in ownership of rights the title, story and of course the Bond name was up for grabs and comedic genius Peter Sellers nabbed it.
As a full length narrative feature this film falls apart. BUT if you want to see some of the best/craziest set designs of the 60s. This is it. If you want to see a midget dressed as a Christmas elf following Peter Sellers with a pair of binoculars. This is it. Woody Allen riding an mechanical bull while wearing a sombrero. This is it. A climax that includes cowboys on horseback riding into a casino, parachuting native americans screaming "Geronimo", a couple hundred scantly clad go go dancers, a space ship and a Frankenstein monster. THIS IS IT!
Not enough for you? How about Orson Welles surrounded by a harem of women while doing the cheesiest parlor tricks imaginable. Thats right. Mr. Kane himself pulling handkerchiefs out of thin air and levitating women all while seated at the poker table of Casino Royale.
I really enjoyed this film if you can't tell. Its not for everybody but if you are really up for a film thats in a way the granddaddy to Austin Powers and twisted step brother of Our Man Flint. Again, this is it.
