Besides, one can't argue with a version of James Bond that can be enjoyed in only 51 minutes. Since this version does end differently from both the novel and the 2006 version of the film (and the 1967 film is 'Casino Royale' is an even further deviation from the original story), losing the end would be a real tragedy for anyone examining how different cultures and times viewed Ian Fleming's iconic character. The plot, which involves a plan to bankrupt the world's economy through baccarat, takes a backseat to the film's comedic elements. Without this lower quality footage, the ending would not exist. The 1967 'Casino Royale' is known for its zany and irreverent humor, relying on absurd situations, over-the-top characters, and visual gags. The performance on 21st October 1954 (8.30pm EST) was the first in CBSs Climax series of dramas. One has to remember that this was once considered lost and footage was pieced together from two sources. History Contrary to popular belief, the honour of being the first actor to play James Bond fell not on Sean Connery, but on American Barry Nelson, who starred in this live 1 hour production of Ian Flemings Casino Royale.
The only complaint from a viewers perspective is that there is a notable drop in video quality shortly before the end. Overall, the story is truer to the novel and seeing Barry Nelson's American 'Jimmy' Bond is fascinating. There are some major liberties taken in this version of Casino Royale (most notably combining Vesper and Mathis into 'Valerie Mathis,' changing the torture scene, and switching up the nationalities of the characters) but very few of the changes can't be justified based on the format.
