64 years ago, audiences first met James Bond on the big screen
On 5 October 1962, Britain saw the premiere of "Dr. No", the first film about secret agent James Bond, launching the career of then little-known actor Sean Connery.
On this day in 1962, cinemas in Britain began showing "Dr. No", the first full-length film built around Ian Fleming's creation – British secret agent James Bond, codenamed 007.
Making of the film
The film was directed by Terence Young, who took on the task of adapting one of Fleming's spy novels into a motion picture, laying the groundwork for what would become a long-running film series.
A star is born
The lead role of James Bond was played by Scottish actor Sean Connery. At the time of filming, Connery was still relatively unknown, and the role marked a turning point in his career, eventually making him one of the most recognizable figures in world cinema.
Its place in film history
"Dr. No" marked the beginning of one of the longest-running and most commercially successful film franchises in cinema history. Although later installments brought in other actors to play Bond, Connery's portrayal became the benchmark against which all subsequent depictions of the spy have been measured.
