
Casino Royale. 2006. Great Britain. Directed by Martin Campbell. 35mm. 145 min.
Welcome to MI6, Daniel Craig! Le Chiffre, banker to terrorists, has organized a very high-stakes poker game at Montenegro’s Casino Royale in order to win back some much-needed capital. James Bond, bankrolled by the British government, joins Le Chiffre and others at the table, ready to thwart any gains by his opponent and, ultimately, drag him back to headquarters for interrogation. Craig’s Bond is dark, moody, taciturn, and more brawler than gentleman. As usual, 007 is irresistible to the ladies, but he improbably falls deeply in love with Vesper Lynd, the treasury agent tasked with keeping him in line. Courtesy Eon Productions, Barbara Broccoli, and Michael G. Wilson.