Baccarat in James Bond 007 Movies: Casino Royale Facts

The last James Bond 007 movies show him as a great fan of poker that is not actually true: yes, Casino Royale of 2006 has a scene where James Bond (Daniel Craig) plays Texas Hold’em but this replacement had been made by film creators because of this game big popularity. Other James Bond 007 movies make it understandable and clear that Agent 007 was a big baccarat admirer.

It is possible to notice Bond playing baccarat in such films as Dr. No, Thunderball, Golden Eye, For Your Eyes Only, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and many others. But the film which perfectly shows James Bond and baccarat together is Casino Royale of 1967.

James Bond: What are you going to do to me?
Le Chiffre: Physically, nothing, Mr. Bond.
James Bond: Ah, so you're going to nothing me to death.

This film is actually a comedy which had been made to show a satire of James Bond movies; it had almost nothing in common with original novel of Ian Fleming.

The producer of this film, Charles K. Feldman, wanted to receive all the rights to make his Casino Royale to be the official James Bond 007 movie but these attempts failed. This version of Casino Royale was accepted by critics very differently: some of them gave completely negative rating, other ones found something positive and interesting there.

"Casino Royale is too much ... for one James Bond!"

It was the slogan of Casino Royale where Agent 007 did not work alone: he had 6 people to help him to battle SMERSH and Dr. Noah. All of them were also called as “James Bond”: 2 British agents, Bond’s secretary, Bond’s daughter, a millionaire spy and a baccarat master.

The role of James Bond had been played by popular British actor and novelist David Niven who was known by his roles at The Pink Panter.

Casino Royale (2006)

This modern version of Casino Royale is not a comedy film anymore: it is based on Ian Fleming’s novel though it is possible to notice some big differences between the novel itself and the movie. Casino Royale shows us James Bond before he has become JAMES BOND we know – Agent 007: his life before he has become a spy.

The role of James Bond here had been played by Daniel Craig who made his best to make audience accept him as a real James Bond: some critics did not see this actor as a one who could play the role of Agent 007; anyway, a nice car, a gun, an elegant suit and a nice appearance were enough for Craig to be accepted and loved by all women who watched this film at least once.