James Bond 007 against Dr. No on France 3: look back at the launch of the saga with Sean Connery

The first film opus of the famous agent of Her Majesty’s secret service returns to television this evening.

While we are still waiting to know the identity of the actor who will reprise the role in the 26th film directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Steven Knight, France 3 is rebroadcasting this Monday evening James Bond 007 vs. Dr. Nothe very first film in the saga adapted from the novels by Ian Fleming. A legendary franchise which was therefore born in the cinema in 1962 (in January 1963 in France).

If Casino Royale (the first novel written by Ian Fleming where 007 appears) was only adapted (officially) in 2006 with Daniel Craig, Doctor Nothe sixth James Bond novel written in 1958, was chosen after much procrastination to be the first James Bond in cinema, in 1962. A release which would mark its era. Despite a reduced budget – just over $1 million – the very first film in the James Bond saga would attract more than 4.7 million curious people in France and gross a total of nearly $59.6 million worldwide. A look back at the origin of this phenomenon born more than fifty years ago.

The genius idea

It was Harry Saltzman who smelled the right thing. While James Bond……