Casino Royale

Helmed by no less than five (!) directors (including the estimable John Huston), this so-called psychedelic spoof of James Bond movies from 1967 is--not surprisingly--a scattershot affair. Suave David Niven plays the now-retired super spy who enjoys life at his country estate, tending to his garden and playing piano in the afternoon--until an international coalition of spy bosses presses him into service to save the world. Peter Sellers is typically goofy as a “stand-in" Bond, Ursula Andress makes a very sexy villain, and the cast includes Orson Welles and Woody Allen, plus many other big name cameo pop-ups. While there are lots of clever in-jokes and double-entendres, Casino Royale too often degenerates into rampant silliness--never more evident than in the finale when the U.S. Cavalry (?!) rides in to the rescue. The inspired set design, art direction, costumes and other visual elements are handsomely rendered in this sparkling disc, which includes a pair of notable extras: the 1954 TV version of Casino Royale, starring Barry Nelson as Bond; and a revealing interview with 1967 co-director Val Guest. A strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)[DVD Review—Nov. 11, 2008—Fox, 131 min., not rated, $19.98—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1967's Casino Royale (Collector's Edition) boasts a fine transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. DVD extras include audio commentary by film historians Steven Jay Rubin and John Cork, a 42-minute five-part “making-of” featurette, a photo gallery, a set of bookmarks, and trailers. Bottom line: although it lacks the 1954 TV version of Casino Royale featured on the 2002 DVD release, this collector's edition features an excellent extras package.]