Classic Film Friday – Casino Royale (1966)

So from the title I expect you’re thinking of the bond movie with Daniel Craig in his first role as James Bond 007, well no, I’m talking about the 1966 film with Peter Sellers and David Niven.

Being a fan of Peter Sellers this is a must DVD to have in my collection, it’s a rather bizarre, but hysterical film and one which does go completely mad and psychedelic as the film plays.

Believe it or not, the film had five directors, one of which was the great John Huston, this complete spoof on Ian Fleming’s 007 is probably one of those films that you are going to either love or hate, for me, I love it. I think it’s the complete craziness of the film and that fact that the soundtrack is by “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Burt Bacharach” (couldn’t resist throwing in a bit of Austin Powers there)

But for anyone that loves spoofs and special other films such as “The Great Race” and “Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines” then this movie just has to be in your collection. It’s certainly full of laughs and will have you rolling around the floor in giggles.

Although the sound on the DVD is only in mono, an unusually concept to those used to DD5.1 etc these days, also the movie isn’t anamorphic, but it’s still in a widescreen presentation, it’s all an enjoyable part of watching a “classic” movie, personally I would love to see the film fully remastered with a DD5.1 soundtrack and an anamorphic widescreen, I think it deserves it.

The film does have its flaws, such as those when Peter Sellers walked off set and refused to finish filming sections and this can be seen in some of the strange psychedelic moments, but it all adds to the charm and madness of the movie.

So for me the film gets a 3.5 out of 5.

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