The picture itself, directed by William H Brown Jr. He struggles at the fight scenes (hardly surprising considering the production was filmed live) but he does a reasonable job, with a similar quality of acting to Lazenby. Nelson's Bond is hard and cold, as 007 should be. He delivers the one-liners sharply, and his interpretation of the role is not too bad, although being an American he will always look out of place. So how did he do? Certainly he is credible as Bond, although he lacks flair.

Since Casino Royale he has appeared in 'Airport' (1970) and 'The Shining' (1980). Nelson was born in San Francisco, California on 16th April 1920, and was a regular actor in mid-sized roles on Broadway in the '40s. He is handsome and about the right age, and unlike Roger Moore he has at least read the books, although his Americanisation of Bond takes away slightly from Fleming's cold character. Michael Pate is annoying but acceptable as Englishman Leiter, and Linda Christian is competent enough as Valerie Mathis, although her looks are taken away from by the black and white.īut what about the first James Bond? Barry Nelson is just about okay. His toad-like looks and menacing acting make him a great villain. Review Peter Lorre is superb as the villain Le Chiffre. Bond dodges the razor blade and finally overcomes Le Chiffre.Ībove: The final scene which is missing in all VHS releases except the 1997 Special Edition by Spy Guise Video.

Bond fans with bad videos will now be infuriated as they miss the climax. Bond says 'call the police' just as Le Chiffre lunges. Le Chiffre is more seriously hurt, but reaches another razorblade, hidden in his hat.

Le Chiffre enters the bathroom with a gun, and he and Bond shoot each other. Valerie gives away the location of the cheque, but helps Bond reach the razorblade in Le Chiffre's cigarette case, which he had left on the bath. Bond is tied to a bath and tortured by having his toenails removed with pliers (rather than Fleming's version using a seatless cane chair and carpet beater). He hides the cheque just before Valerie comes (she is in fact a French agent, who supplied the extra donation), but Le Chiffre and his men capture them. Valerie disappears, and Bond returns to his room after dealing with a henchmen using a gun disguised as a cane. Bond is beaten by Le Chiffre, but then gets an extra donation, with which he cleans out the 'toad'-like villain. Bond is told if he wins, Valerie will die. The next night at the casino the game takes place.

Original casino royale 1954 cast