An extremely solid piece of entertainment that marked the beginning of the longest-running spy movie franchise of all time. Boasts a great debut performance by Sean Connery as the legendary 007, the Jamaican scenery is simply gorgeous, there are plenty of palm-sweating intense situations, and the film's charmingly slick but stylish atmosphere is simply irresistible. It's a bit small-scale compared to what future entries would offer, but I personally feel it adds to the charm of the movie. It's modesty allows the story to be more character-driven than some of the larger-scale 007 tales. Offers consistent thrills throughout despite a very rushed anti-climactic ending and the title villain only being introduced within the last 15 minutes, thus robbing the character of development and depriving the story of a compelling hero-villain dynamic.

An Englishman let loose amongst the filthy, ignorant natives, these present of Jamaica, teaching them the right way of class and order. Connery is a fav to Bond fans for his smug condescension to absolutely everyone (no doubt a comfort to the boys at home), his only equal onscreen is an American CIA operative (winningly downplayed by Jack Lord) who is pleased as punch to learn from his betters. Forgetting the political underpinnings, its a decent actioner, but the politics are an essential part of the package, which begins to annoy like a leafblower on a quiet Sunday morning.