4 out of 5

Director: William H. Brown Jr., Gene Roth

Casino Royale is the low-key version of Ian Flemings Bond novel – re-told once as an odd spoof in the late 60s and again as a more gritty thriller in the 00s. This one, presented, apparently, as an episode of the TV show Climax! features the square-jawed Barry Nelson playing a more serious version of the Bond than the classic string of movies 60s – 90s movies, but a less brutal version than played by Daniel Craig. Because of this, Bond here comes across as very real – a proper blend of the suaveness and coldness of the other incarnations (not counting the Casino Royale spoof, of course.). The plot: Le Chiffre (Peter Lorre) has gambled away monies he was supposed to be saving for Russian spying. Tonight, at the Casino Royale, he plans to win it back. James Bond is sent in (here an American, corresponding with other agencies) to try and foil his plans. The edition of this included as an extra on the re-released 1967 version Casino Royale DVD is of good sound and video quality, with sound dropping out at un-key moments as this original was apparently shot live. So: overall, a more traditional spy yarn, made more clever by the fact that part of its heros success relied on luck and not fighting chops or skill. While perhaps not the recognized version of Bond, the humanistic presentation of all characters gives the story some charm and a realistic level of intrigue.