Casino Royale (2006)

Last updated:
June 17, 2025

Casino Royale (2006) is the 21st film in the James Bond franchise and serves as a gritty, emotionally charged reboot of the series, introducing Daniel Craig as the new 007. Directed by Martin Campbell, the film re-establishes Bond’s origin story and strips the character down to his brutal, cold-blooded beginnings—before the gadgets and quips.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: Bond Earns His 00-Status

The movie kicks off with a stark black-and-white sequence showing James Bond’s first two kills, earning him the 00-status. This isn’t a suave, tuxedoed Bond, but a raw, violent operative learning what it takes to kill with cold efficiency.

The Bomb Maker Chase in Madagascar

Bond’s first post-promotion mission takes him to Madagascar, where he chases a bomb-maker through a construction site in a heart-pounding parkour sequence. It’s a visceral, physical opening that redefines Bond as more of a street brawler than a gentleman spy.

Uncovering the Network: The Bahamas and Miami

Bond’s trail leads him to The Bahamas, where he uncovers a plot by terrorist financier Le Chiffre. In Miami, Bond prevents a plane explosion, bankrupting Le Chiffre in the process—forcing the villain to organize a high-stakes poker game to recoup his clients’ money.

The Poker Game at Casino Royale

Bond enters the poker tournament at Casino Royale in Montenegro, bankrolled by HM Treasury and accompanied by Treasury agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). The poker scenes are intense psychological battles, filled with suspicion, ego, and double-crosses. Bond eventually wins after a grueling night—though not before surviving poisoning and an attempt on his life.

The Betrayal

After winning, Bond plans to resign from MI6 and run away with Vesper. They fall in love, and for a moment, the hard edges of Bond seem to soften. But things take a dark turn when Vesper betrays Bond, stealing the winnings and transferring them to a secret account in Venice.

Confrontation and Vesper’s Death

Bond tracks Vesper to a Venetian palazzo, only to be caught in a shootout with her handlers. She locks herself in an elevator submerged in water and chooses to drown, believing redemption is impossible. Bond tries to save her, but she dies in front of him—solidifying the emotional coldness that defines the future 007.

Movie Ending

After Vesper’s death, Bond is shattered but discovers a final clue: her phone contains a message revealing the identity of Mr. White, the shadowy figure behind the network that manipulated Le Chiffre and Vesper. In the final scene, Bond tracks Mr. White to a remote estate, shoots him in the leg, and utters the now-iconic line:

“The name’s Bond. James Bond.”

It’s not just a cool closer—it’s a symbolic moment. The entire film has been the forging of Bond’s identity, and this scene is where he fully becomes the Bond we know from the rest of the series.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Casino Royale does not feature any post-credits scenes. True to classic Bond style, however, the film ends with the promise:
“James Bond will return.”

Type of Movie

Spy Thriller
Action
Drama
Reboot/Origin Story

Cast

Daniel Craig as James Bond
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd
Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre
Judi Dench as M
Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter
Giancarlo Giannini as René Mathis
Caterina Murino as Solange
Isaach de Bankolé as Steven Obanno
Jesper Christensen as Mr. White

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by David Arnold, known for his work on previous Bond films. The music blends classical orchestration with a darker, more contemporary edge to reflect Craig’s grittier Bond. The theme song, “You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell, sets the tone with raw vocals and aggressive guitar riffs—eschewing the usual sultry Bond style for something more visceral and bold.

Filming Locations

Bahamas – Bond’s early missions, sunny beaches and high-stakes action
Madagascar (shot in the Bahamas) – Site of the parkour chase
Montenegro (filmed in the Czech Republic) – Casino Royale setting
Venice, Italy – Vesper’s tragic ending
UK – Pinewood Studios – Core interior sets and MI6 headquarters

Each location enhances the emotional and narrative stakes: the glamorous casino, the sun-drenched tropics, and the haunting, waterlogged death scene in Venice all serve symbolic purposes in Bond’s transformation.

Awards and Nominations

BAFTA Nominations: Best Actor (Daniel Craig), Best Adapted Screenplay
Saturn Awards: Won Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
Empire Awards: Won Best Actor (Daniel Craig), Best Newcomer (Eva Green)
Multiple wins for stunt coordination and sound editing across various awards bodies

Behind the Scenes Insights

Daniel Craig was initially met with backlash when cast—but won over critics and fans alike with his performance.
The now-iconic parkour chase was choreographed by Sébastien Foucan, one of the founders of parkour.
Craig lost two teeth filming a fight scene early in production.
Eva Green was cast just a few days before shooting her scenes.
Mads Mikkelsen improvised the blood-tear trick by using a special eye-drop developed just for the role.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on Ian Fleming’s first Bond novel, Casino Royale (1953). It’s one of the most faithful adaptations in the franchise, emphasizing realism over fantasy.

Key influences:

The gritty spy realism of The Bourne Identity (2002)
Classic noir storytelling, especially in Bond and Vesper’s doomed romance
Real-world espionage tensions post-9/11, reflected in the film’s less flamboyant villains and more grounded tone

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No alternate endings were publicly released, but several deleted scenes exist:

An extended torture scene that was toned down for pacing
A longer emotional aftermath after Vesper’s death, where Bond reacts with more vulnerability
A scene where Bond returns to M and explains his resignation more explicitly

Book Adaptations and Differences

In the novel, Bond plays baccarat instead of poker.
Vesper’s death in the book is more understated; she leaves a suicide note rather than drowning.
Le Chiffre’s character is closer to a Cold War villain in the book, while the film modernizes him into a terrorist financier.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Bond chasing the bomb maker through a crane site and embassy
The poisoning sequence during the poker game
The stairwell fight with machete-wielding assassins
Bond cradling Vesper underwater as she drowns
The final “Bond. James Bond.” moment with Mr. White

Iconic Quotes

“The name’s Bond. James Bond.”
“I have no armor left. You’ve stripped it from me.” – Vesper
“Do you want a clean kill or do you want to send a message?” – M
“That last hand… nearly killed me.” – Bond, after surviving poisoning

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The number 007 is hidden on Bond’s license plate during the opening chase.
Le Chiffre’s inhaler is a nod to classic Bond villains who often had some physical quirk.
The line “I understand double-0s have a very short life expectancy” is a meta-commentary on Bond’s vulnerability in this film.
The password Bond uses for the Swiss bank account is “Vesper”—a heartbreaking moment foreshadowing betrayal.

Trivia

Daniel Craig is the first blonde Bond.
Casino Royale (2006) is not the first film adaptation of the book—there was a 1967 spoof and a 1954 TV version.
This film’s poker scenes were taught to the cast by professional poker players.
Craig did most of his own stunts, adding realism to the fight scenes.

Why Watch?

It redefines James Bond for a modern generation without losing the character’s edge.
Offers a grounded, emotionally driven spy thriller with real stakes and consequences.
Features one of the most intense poker games ever filmed.
Arguably the most emotionally impactful Bond film of the franchise.

Director’s Other Movies

GoldenEye (1995)
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
The Foreigner (2017)
Edge of Darkness (2010)

Casino Royale (2006)