Dr. No Production Costs

CmdrAtticus

Caught some of DRNO on the tele from the point where Connery is checking out Strangways place up until he kills Dent. It made me realize how far TV production has developed since the 60's. The production budget for NO was around $1,100,000. The average budget for many primetime and cable dramas are around that or even more. Watching NO, I couldn't help but notice that it had the feeling of a made for tv cable movie. It's why FRWL with it's $2 million budget seems more like a theatrical release in comparison to me.

After seeing NO, I could easily see someone doing a quality production of Bond adventures for cable. However, as long as EON owns the rights and wants to continue the theatrical legacy of the series (and the huge box office it's bringing in), I don't foresee that ever happening.

james362001

Dr. No (1962) had a budget of $1,000,000. Quantum of Solace (2008) had the highest budget ever at $230,000,000 and it was the shortest film. The budget for Skyfall (2012) was $200,000,000 and it is a huge success with the Worldwide Box office gross at $1,108,694,081. I think Javier Bardem and the rumors and word-of-mouth that Judi Dench had filmed "M's death scene" helped.
If Blofeld does return and/or they have a major star in the movie, Bond 24, should be successful too.
Now that the rumor is out that Bond 24 will continue the story from Skyfall and Bond 25 will continue the story as well, people will want to see the next movies.
But having to wait 3 years is the downfall.

CmdrAtticus wrote:

Caught some of DRNO on the tele from the point where Connery is checking out Strangways place up until he kills Dent. It made me realize how far TV production has developed since the 60's. The production budget for NO was around $1,100,000. The average budget for many primetime and cable dramas are around that or even more. Watching NO, I couldn't help but notice that it had the feeling of a made for tv cable movie. It's why FRWL with it's $2 million budget seems more like a theatrical release in comparison to me.

After seeing NO, I could easily see someone doing a quality production of Bond adventures for cable. However, as long as EON owns the rights and wants to continue the theatrical legacy of the series (and the huge box office it's bringing in), I don't foresee that ever happening.

kincade

It is worth noting that technology that did not exist in 1962 has made it a lot easier for producers of TV movies to churn them out like crazy. Also, inflation has ballooned 1962 dollars more than seven-fold. Maybe I am missing something but I just do not see a large difference between DN and FRWL outside of the fact that FRWL had more sets, locations and effects overall. For example, Dr. No's dining area in his liar was elaborate and extravagant just like the chess tournament Kronsteen participated in in FRWL but the former had much more screen time than the latter.