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

      Dr. No, the inaugural James Bond film featuring Sean Connery as Agent 007, premiered on May 8, 1963.

      The next installment in this iconic series will be helmed by Denis Villeneuve, who is also engaged with the forthcoming Dune: Part Three.

      As we anticipate his direction for the franchise — and the identity of the next Bond — let’s revisit some memorable images from the original James Bond movie.

      Welcome to Jamaica

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Dr. No was not the first novel written by Ian Fleming about James Bond — that distinction belongs to Casino Royale, published in 1953 — but it was the first to be adapted into a feature film.

      Filming took place in 1962 across locations in London, Jamaica, and the fictional island of Crab Cay.

      The story follows Agent 007 as he travels to Jamaica to probe the murder of MI6 station chief John Strangways. This serves as a plot device to unite Bond (Sean Connery) with Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), seen above.

      Take 007

      United Artists

      According to Nicholas Shakespeare's book, Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, Sean Connery secured the role of 007 partly because of his distinctive walk.

      Producer Albert Broccoli remarked on Connery, saying, “He walked like the most arrogant son of a gun you’ve ever seen,” leading him to conclude, “That’s our Bond.”

      Shakespeare's book chronicles Fleming's life, whose novels inspired a series of 27 Bond films that began with Dr. No.

      Ursula Andress and Ian Fleming

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Above: Ursula Andress on set with James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming. Nicholas Shakespeare's account details how Bond was partly inspired by Fleming, who dramatized and heightened his personal experiences with romance and espionage.

      Honey Ryder, portrayed by Andress, is often considered the first “Bond girl,” although her iconic entrance in a bikini occurs roughly midway through Dr. No.

      Sylvia Trench and Miss Taro appear on screen before her.

      Also Read: All 007 James Bond Actors, Ranked

      Enter Bearing Shells

      United Artists

      Honey Ryder’s role involves shell diving, and fittingly, she first appears in Dr. No with shells in hand. If her initial outfit — a white swimsuit and belt — appears a bit revealing, it’s worth noting that in the original novel, her attire consists solely of the belt.

      The shells scene altered the film's expectations, as noted in Ian Fleming: The Complete Man.

      “‘It was going to be a low-budget flop,’” recalls Chris Blackwell, the son of Ian Fleming’s muse, Blanche Blackwell, in the book. “‘Everything changed when we saw the rushes of Ursula Andress coming out of the sea.’”

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

      Bad Boys

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Shakespeare’s book also states that Fleming nearly disrupted a take of the iconic beach scene. While walking with two friends along Laughing Waters — the location of the beach scene — he almost walked into the shot.

      Director Terence Young shouted for them to “Lie down!” which they complied with. Shakespeare notes, “Composer Monty Norman was in Jamaica to write the music and witnessed Young yelling at them — ‘They were shooed off like little boys.’”

      “Ian and his friends were left behind a dune, forgotten, until someone remembered them an hour later.”

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

      Chemistry, Raw Chemistry

      United Artists – Credit: C/O United Artists

      The publicity photos for Dr. No vividly capture the sparkling chemistry between Connery and Andress, which was clearly the intention.

      “He was very protective of me, he was charming, incredible,” Andress reflected in a 2020 interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, following Connery’s passing at 90. “He adored women; he was undoubtedly very much a man.”

      She continued: “We shared many evenings together, and he would invite me everywhere — Monte Carlo, London, New York. From the time we met until now, we've remained friends. Friends, friends.”

      At Sea

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Andress and Connery are all smiles while relaxing on a boat offshore.

      Prior to embracing his famous role, Connery had experiences as a naval boxer, lifeguard, and art model, according to Shakespeare’s Ian Fleming: The Complete Man.

      Director Terence Young at Work

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Creating the film wasn't purely a pleasant experience — here are Connery and Andress discussing a scene with director Terence Young.

      Young was not only responsible for bringing Bond to life with Dr. No, but he also directed the second 007 film,