Dr. No: 12 Behind-the-Scenes Images from the Original James Bond 007 Movie

      Dr. No, the inaugural James Bond movie featuring Sean Connery as Agent 007, premiered on May 8, 1963. Below are some memorable images.

      Welcome to Jamaica

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      While Dr. No was not Ian Fleming’s first novel about James Bond—that honor goes to 1953's Casino Royale—it was the first to be adapted into a feature film.

      The film was shot on location in Jamaica during 1962 and is set in London, Jamaica, and the fictional Crab Key island.

      The storyline revolves around Agent 007's journey to Jamaica to investigate the murder of MI6 station chief John Strangways. However, this serves primarily as a plot device to unite Bond (Sean Connery) with Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), seen above.

      Take 007

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      Sean Connery (above) was cast as 007 partly due to his distinctive walk, as noted in Nicholas Shakespeare’s book Ian Fleming: The Complete Man.

      Producer Albert Broccoli remarked about Connery, “He walked like the most arrogant son of a gun you’ve ever seen,” which made Broccoli realize, “That’s our Bond.”

      Shakespeare’s book chronicles Fleming's life, who inspired the series of 27 Bond films that began with Dr. No.

      Ursula Andress and Ian Fleming

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      Above: Ursula Andress on set with Bond's creator, Ian Fleming. Nicholas Shakespeare’s book explains that Bond was partly inspired by Fleming himself, who dramatized and exaggerated his own experiences with love and espionage.

      Andress portrays Honey Ryder, often regarded as the first “Bond girl,” although she doesn't make her famous bikini entrance until nearly halfway through Dr. No.

      She is preceded by characters Sylvia Trench and Miss Taro.

      Also Read: All 007 James Bond Actors, Ranked

      Enter Bearing Shells

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Honey Ryder’s occupation is shell diving, and fittingly, she enters Dr. No carrying shells. If her initial outfit—a white swimsuit and belt—seems a bit revealing, it’s worth noting that in the original novel, she wears only the belt.

      The shell scene changed the film's prospects, according to Ian Fleming: The Complete Man.

      “‘It was going to be a low-budget flop,’” said Chris Blackwell, son of Ian Fleming’s muse, in the book. “Everything shifted once we saw the rushes of Ursula Andress coming out of the water.”

      He added: “It was electrifying. We suddenly thought, ‘Wow, we have a movie.’”

      Bad Boys

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      According to Shakespeare’s book, Fleming nearly interrupted the iconic beach scene. He was on a stroll with two friends along Laughing Waters beach—the filming location—when he almost walked into the shot.

      Director Terence Young yelled for them to “Lie down!” which they did. Shakespeare recounts: “Composer Monty Norman had just arrived in Jamaica to work on the score and watched as Young got after them—‘They were shooed off like little boys.’”

      “Ian and his companions were left lying behind a dune, forgotten, until someone finally remembered to let them go an hour later.”

      That’s Fleming, on the right, with Andress and Connery.

      Chemistry, Raw Chemistry

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      The publicity images for Dr. No capture the vibrant chemistry between Connery and Andress, which was likely the intended effect.

      “He was very protective of me; he was adorable, fantastic,” Andress reflected in a 2020 interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera after Connery's passing at 90. “He adored women and was undoubtedly very much a man.”

      She continued: “We shared many evenings together, and he would take me everywhere—Monte Carlo, London, New York. From the moment we met, we always remained friends. Friends, friends.”

      At Sea

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Andress and Connery share smiles while relaxing on a boat offshore.

      Before taking on his most recognized role, Connery held various jobs, including naval boxer, lifeguard, and art class model, as stated in Shakespeare’s Ian Fleming: The Complete Man.

      Director Terence Young at Work

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Filming wasn’t just a carefree experience; here, Connery and Andress are seen discussing a scene with director Terence Young.

      Young not only introduced Bond to the big screen with Dr. No but also directed the sequel, From Russia With Love, released a year later in 1963.

      Guy Hamilton directed the third film, Goldfinger, but Young returned for his third and final Bond film, Thunderball, in 1965. Few directors shaped the early franchise’s aesthetic as much as he did.

      Keep Your Friends Close

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