I finally watched the first James Bond movie and the rampant sexism didn’t surprise me – how good it is did

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I first wrote this article for TopMob in 2023 after finally watching the original James Bond films. Here’s my take as both a film enthusiast and entertainment journalist: while Dr. No definitely shows its age with some outdated and problematic views of women, it’s still a really enjoyable movie.

I’ve watched the James Bond films starring Daniel Craig – I do have some taste – but I’ve never seen any of the older ones.

Growing up watching the newer James Bond films, I expect female characters to be complex and well-developed. I also appreciate the emotional growth and more respectful behavior of Daniel Craig’s Bond, and the way the series as a whole has become more sophisticated, moving beyond some of the problematic elements of its earlier years.

Let’s be real, everyone knows the deal with Bond. Even if you’ve only caught bits and pieces, you’ve probably heard the warnings – the old films, especially the Sean Connery ones, haven’t aged well. People talk about the blatant sexism, the clumsy plots, and honestly, the really uncomfortable way consent was handled. It’s something you can’t really ignore when you think back on those early days.

As someone who’s always been passionate about seeing fairer representation in film, things immediately felt…off. Before I even started a recent deep dive into Bond movies, a friend sent me a clip from Goldfinger (1964). It’s the scene where Sean Connery’s Bond casually dismisses the masseuse, Dink (played by Margaret Nolan), with a slap on the bottom and the incredibly dismissive line, ‘Dink, say goodbye to Felix – man talk.’ Honestly, it set a really frustrating tone right from the start.

Honestly, when I first heard about this movie, I was completely taken aback – it was like a joke! But it’s also famous, so I was really curious. I finally sat down to watch the very first James Bond film, and even though I knew of Bond, I was both nervous and thrilled to finally see where it all began.

Look, let’s be real – it’s tough to come at this completely unbiased. James Bond is everywhere in British culture – his style and way of doing things are just so well-known. But I’ll definitely do my best to give a fair take on it.

I’ve never understood the appeal of Sean Connery, but watching him now, everything suddenly makes sense. His strong features – his nose and eyebrows – combined with his smooth style and intense gaze, finally click into place. I think I get it now.

It doesn’t take long for James Bond to objectify Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell), casually referring to her as “property.” Throughout these visually stunning films, women are quickly presented as beautiful objects – perfectly styled and made up – but lack depth and quickly become indistinguishable from one another, blending into a single, generic female character.

And without exception they all throw themselves at our leading man – more than willingly.

  • Read more: How to choose the next James Bond, with casting boss Debbie McWilliams

The character Miss Taro, who is secretly a spy (played by Zena Marshall), is subjected to disturbing behavior from the film’s hero. This includes a forceful kiss where he grabs the towel around her neck and pulls her towards him.

Honey Ryder (played by Ursula Andress) is peacefully collecting shells on a secluded beach – a private area guarded by the villain’s men – when Bond unexpectedly arrives, disrupting her day and putting her in danger.

Despite her efforts to be independent and make her own choices, James Bond dismisses her resistance, forcefully leading her into another perilous situation. Predictably, she ends up falling in love with him.

Leaving the discussion of the female characters aside, I’m actually quite surprised by how much I enjoyed Dr. No. It’s not just entertaining—it’s genuinely excellent.

Despite some outdated and uncomfortable sexism – like Bond’s unwanted attention to Honey – the first James Bond film is still widely considered a classic.

Jamaica provides a stunning backdrop for the film, beautifully captured by the cinematography. The actors deliver captivating performances, and the set design is exceptional – the furniture, in particular, is gorgeous and creates a luxurious, vibrant world perfect for the film’s charismatic lead.

I often find myself openly admiring classic mid-century furniture – things like comfortable armchairs, tables with stylish, angled legs, or low-profile platform beds.

While the set design is impressive, the characters – including James Bond, Honey Ryder, and especially the villain Dr. No – are truly captivating. Joseph Wiseman’s portrayal of Dr. No is a standout, and I think he’s a more memorable villain than any Bond has faced since 2006.

I was surprised, and maybe a bit foolishly so, to find that I actually enjoy Robert Wiseman’s portrayal of Dr. No more than Mads Mikkelsen’s performance as Le Chiffre.

We meet the main villain much like James Bond does – through mysterious hints and with a sense of fear and respect. That immediately makes you curious about them.

We first experience Dr. No through his voice – a chilling presence over the intercom, and a man who doesn’t waste words. And he’s a captivating villain with a wonderfully stylish base of operations – exactly what we want!

Having only seen Daniel Craig’s more intense Bond films, I was surprised to realize, as the credits rolled, that the franchise is actually meant to be a lighthearted adventure! It’s supposed to be enjoyable – who would have guessed?

So, lavish production, sophisticated writing… but only if you ignore all the women. That’s what a Bond film really is, isn’t it? It suddenly makes sense.

If you too want to embark on a journey through James Bond’s checkered history, here’s how to watch all 25 movies in order:

  1. Dr No (1962)
  2. From Russia with Love (1963)
  3. Goldfinger (1964)
  4. Thunderball (1965)
  5. You Only Live Twice (1967)
  6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
  7. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
  8. Live and Let Die (1973)
  9. The Man with the Golden (1974)
  10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
  11. Moonraker (1979)
  12. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
  13. Octopussy (1983)
  14. A View to a Kill (1985)
  15. The Living Daylights (1987)
  16. Licence to Kill (1989)
  17. Goldeneye (1995)
  18. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
  19. The World is Not Enough (1999)
  20. Die Another Day (2002)
  21. Casino Royale (2006)
  22. Quantum of Solace (2008)
  23. Skyfall (2012)
  24. Spectre (2015)
  25. No Time To Die (2021)

Authors

Minnie WrightDigital Growth and Acquisitions Lead

Minnie Wright leads digital growth and acquisitions at TopMob. She previously worked in TV, film, and music for a large national publication, and holds a degree in Popular Music Journalism.

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2026-04-30 09:36