19 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

While we read Doctor No for the Blades Reading Club, have you made up your mind on which of the two you prefer more? The movie, or the book?

I find it to be a pretty interesting choice. Doctor No is my all time favorite James Bond novel. The locations and the travelogue in this story are some of the very best that Fleming ever had for one of his Bond novels. The characters as well are some of his most exotic and alluring. The maniacal Dr. No makes for a terrific villain for James Bond and that entrance of Honey Ryder on the beach goes down in history.

The film on the other hand starts the incredible series off on a great foot. Connery delivers a terrific performance with some great lines, and the film just has the feel of being something epic. Not to mention that great supporting cast and the plot that is well crafted.

On the whole, I choose the book. While both versions are standouts in their respected categories, the book just never seems to fail to impress, and seems like you're reading it for the first time with each successive reading.

Which do you choose?

[Atticus17F]

I'd take the book any day. I find there's more suspense and excitement in one chapter - "The Long Scream" - than there is in 40-odd years' worth of films.

While both versions are standouts in their respected categories, the book just never seems to fail to impress, and seems like you're reading it for the first time with each successive reading.

'Zactly! But it's apples and oranges, really. I'd take any book over any film, but that's because I happen to prefer books.

[Bond111]

It's been a while since I've read the book, but I seem to remember liking it a little bit more than the movie. Although I thought the movie did an excellent job as an adaptation. The book pretty much contains everything that was in the movie, but expands by having a bunch of new exciting scenes.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Not going to prefer one over the other. I love Doctor No, which is my favourite Feming (so far), but I also love what they did with the movie.

[Qwerty]

I'd take the book any day. I find there's more suspense and excitement in one chapter - "The Long Scream" - than there is in 40-odd years' worth of films.

While both versions are standouts in their respected categories, the book just never seems to fail to impress, and seems like you're reading it for the first time with each successive reading.

'Zactly! But it's apples and oranges, really. I'd take any book over any film, but that's because I happen to prefer books.

Ah, yes, the action in this book is some of the very best ever! Each new chapter seems to add something, Fleming really went all out with this one IMO.

[Genrewriter]

It's about even for me though I enjoy reading the book more than I enjoy watching the movie. Both the book and film are almost perfect with only some minor flaws taking a bit away.

[Harmsway]

It's about even for me... the book might have the edge just because of the torture course sequence.

[TheSaint]

I prefer Dr.No's death in the movie than in the book. Being buried in bat is almost comical.

[Bond111]

I prefer Dr.No's death in the movie than in the book. Being buried in bat is almost comical.

Ahaha I'd forgotten about that. Comical indeed, but it is quite brutal. Although I'll agree his death in the movie was better.

[Blofeld's Cat]

BAT !!??

[David Schofield]

As adaptations go, the movie is an excellent cinematic interpretation of the book. Obviously, it would have been impossible to start a movie series with the motivation of the book: Bond sent to Jamaica as a punishment on a routine job after the cock-up at the end of FRWL. Professor Dent is probably superfluous but my biggest complaint is the "assault course" omission. EON could very eaily have had Connery go through the trials descibed by Fleming, tackle the squid and then re-enter the reactor room to fight Dr No. The way the escape from the cell is done in the film is very glib and perfunctory. A bit B-movis-ish, anyone??

[007_fclmdb]

EON could very eaily have had Connery go through the trials descibed by Fleming, tackle the squid and then re-enter the reactor room to fight Dr No. The way the escape from the cell is done in the film is very glib and perfunctory. A bit B-movis-ish, anyone??


easily? in 1962 there was no high tech stunts or CGI. How in the world EON could have made a squid?

[Genrewriter]

They could have gotten Ray Harryhausen to do a stop-motion animation squid but I'm not sure how well that would work in the film.

[Qwerty]

As adaptations go, the movie is an excellent cinematic interpretation of the book. Obviously, it would have been impossible to start a movie series with the motivation of the book: Bond sent to Jamaica as a punishment on a routine job after the cock-up at the end of FRWL. Professor Dent is probably superfluous but my biggest complaint is the "assault course" omission. EON could very eaily have had Connery go through the trials descibed by Fleming, tackle the squid and then re-enter the reactor room to fight Dr No. The way the escape from the cell is done in the film is very glib and perfunctory. A bit B-movis-ish, anyone??

It's the idea of that squid being a bit of a problem. How would they have created one that looked credible and worked well?

[Max Zorin]

They could have included the course minus the squid, I think. While it comes off as a very terrifying experience in the novel, I really can't see them pulling it off in film - at least not in those days - without if looking very corny.

I also agree that I'm still not a fan of Dr. No's demise in the book...nor the lack of page time such an intriguing character gets. I would have loved to see Bond and No come face to face once more AFTER Bond has escaped his "unescapable" death traps.

[TheSaint]

BAT !!??

Bat guano. I had typed out bat sh * t but, sometime between last night & today it was converted to bat[censored].

[David Schofield]

See my squid created some opinion.

While allowing that special effects were not great back in 62 by any means, there was never any necessity to "show" a squid in full, bright light. Remember, Bond is pulled down into the water by tentacles and, if I recall correctly, he cannot make out exactly where they are coming from. The water is dark. Therefore, I am sure it would have been possible to suggest something in the water without resorting to Dr Who-type effects. Also, without seeing the squid fully it would have added to the suspense and fear of something in the darkness of the water. Certainly better than Bond's too-easy assult on the reactor room.

[Sam Fisher]

I like the novel and the film the same. I couldn't pick beteween the two.

[Station Domino]

Both are great. I give an edge to the movie since it was the first and had the burden of introducing 007 to the big screen.

Fleming's description of Dr. No and his mountain lair is classic and the movie gets it down perfectly. I wish Fleming had more of a physical battle with Dr. No at the end of the novel but I guess Fleming figured a fight with a giant squid by a physically bruised Bond was more than enough for 007!

I admitt Dr. No meeting his end in the novel by bird dung was totally unexpected and amusing!

[Station Domino]

On the hand I did like the Dr. No novel ending with Bond making love to
Honeychile Rider.