Casino Royale

Title: Casino Royale
Release Year: 2006
Genre: Action, Spy, Thriller
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring:

• Daniel Craig as James Bond

• Eva Green as Vesper Lynd

• Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre

• Judi Dench as M

• Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter

Plot Summary:

Casino Royale marks the origin story of James Bond as 007, showing his first mission after earning his license to kill. The film begins with Bond earning his double-0 status by executing two targets — shown in a raw and black-and-white cold open that sets the tone for this grittier reboot of the series.

His first official mission takes him to Madagascar, where he tracks down a terrorist bomb-maker. The pursuit leads Bond into an international web of terrorism, which ultimately connects to Le Chiffre, a secretive banker to the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. Le Chiffre, known for his mathematical genius and a telltale eye that weeps blood, finances terror plots and manipulates global markets.

Bond follows the trail to Montenegro, where Le Chiffre is participating in a high-stakes Texas Hold'em poker game at the Casino Royale to recoup his clients' lost money. Bond’s objective: defeat Le Chiffre and force him into protective custody with British Intelligence, thereby dismantling his network.

To assist in the mission, Bond is paired with Vesper Lynd, a smart and mysterious Treasury agent assigned to manage the funds. Their initial relationship is combative, but as the game progresses and they face life-threatening situations together, a romance blossoms. Bond also receives support from CIA agent Felix Leiter, who agrees to back Bond during the game if needed.

The poker game is tense and psychological, with Bond suffering a near-fatal poisoning and brutal physical violence. Ultimately, he wins the tournament and breaks Le Chiffre’s financial hold — but that’s when the story takes a darker turn. Le Chiffre is killed by an unknown figure working for a larger, hidden organization, and the money Bond won vanishes.

Bond soon learns that Vesper was hiding secrets all along — she had been coerced into working against him to save her former lover. Despite her betrayal, Bond still loves her. In a heartbreaking finale, Vesper sacrifices herself in a sinking Venetian building, drowning while protecting Bond from further harm.

Themes and Impact:

• Origin of Bond: This film strips away the gadgets and over-the-top humor of earlier entries, reintroducing Bond as a raw, emotionally vulnerable agent.

• Love and betrayal: Vesper Lynd’s tragic role as Bond’s first true love adds emotional depth to his character and explains his future coldness toward relationships.

• The birth of 007’s personality: After Vesper’s death, Bond is emotionally hardened. The final line — “The name’s Bond. James Bond.” — marks the transformation into the classic figure we know.

Legacy:

Casino Royale was a massive critical and commercial success. It redefined James Bond for a modern audience, introduced Daniel Craig as a more grounded, physical 007, and revived the franchise with a sense of realism, danger, and emotional stakes. Many consider it one of the best James Bond films ever made.