Synopsis:

This edit emphasizes Bond’s character arc of learning to see the big picture. He is a new 00, but not a rookie agent or a young man. Action sequences are trimmed and the romance is streamlined in an attempt to focus the story.

Intentions:

The intended result is a more classic Bond film with better pacing and natural character development.

Change List:

Major changes: 01) Film now focuses on Bond’s character arc of learning to see the big picture, rather than on “Bond Begins” gimmickry. 02) Bond is a new 00, but he isn’t a rookie agent or a young man. 03) Bond is never referred to as a thug or hitman. 04) M is less mothering and temperamental. 05) Parkour, airport and sinking house sequences are shorter. 06) Bond isn’t poisoned during the poker game. 07) Bond/Vesper conversation sounds more natural. 08) Vesper doesn't fall head-over-heels for Bond. 09) Mathis gives less poker commentary. 10) Film doesn’t disingenuously hint that Mathis betrayed Bond. 11) Colour correction applied throughout. 12) Product placement removed throughout.

Additional Notes:

- Replaced film version of “You Know My Name” with Pop Mix version. Pop Mix has many virtues: opening is more full-blooded with prominent electric guitar; softer first verse allows horns and strings to be heard; tambourine in chorus is more exciting; drums sound heavier. - Trimmed parkour sequence for length. Ends faster after the crane jump. - Cut guards shooting at embassy. Excessive and unnecessary after the parkour sequence.? - Cut Le Chiffre and Kratt’s conversation on boat. Cut to remove confusing and corny dialogue.? - Cut M ranting in Parliament. Unprofessional of her to shout and swear about the 00 section in public.? - Cut line “I knew it was too early to promote you” (M). In this edit, Bond is not a rookie or a young man. - Cut M lecturing Bond about arrogance and ego. See above.? - Cut Bond driving Ford Mondeo. Not Bond's kind of car. - Cut Bond using M’s name and password on MI6 website in the Bahamas. Bond isn’t so disrespectful as to violate M’s privacy again.? - Trimmed airport sequence for length. Carlos hijacks the fuel truck sooner, and Bond stays on the truck until the sequence’s end. - Trimmed shot of Bond smiling after killing Carlos. Bond takes no pleasure in killing. - Cut line “Do you want a clean kill or do you want to send a message?” (Bond). Bond is not a bloodthirsty hitman.? - Cut line “Trust me, I wish it wasn’t the case” (M). Bond has been promoted to 00, so M should have faith in him.? - Cut several of Vesper’s lines on the train. Conversation sounds more natural. - Cut Bond finding defibrillator in Aston Martin. Not needed, as heart attack later is cut.? - Cut Vesper giving Bond a tailored dinner jacket. Bond knows how to dress himself.? - Cut line “That’s not half bad, I’m gonna have to think of a name for that” (Bond). Not the first time Bond has ordered his signature martini.? - Cut line “Look, it’s the tell, he is bluffing” (Mathis). This is obvious.? - Cut line “Bond will have to go all-in to call his bluff” (Mathis). Also obvious. - Cut Bond’s heart attack. Distracts from the poker game and has almost no consequence on the story.? - Cut Bond and Vesper talking beside poker table after game ends. Contains a reference to Bond’s heart attack.? - Cut line “I’m afraid your friend Mathis is really my friend Mathis” (Le Chiffre). Le Chiffre has no reason to mislead Bond regarding Mathis.? - Cut Mathis walking up to Bond in hospital bed. Cut to remove David Arnold’s ridiculous “sinister” music.? - Cut Bond and Vesper’s conversation after line “If you’d just been born, wouldn’t you be naked?” (Bond). Cut to remove unnatural dialogue and to emphasize Bond and Vesper’s rebirth as lovers.? - Cut Bond shooting guard while following Vesper. Cut for pacing.? - Trimmed sinking house sequence. Sections removed and reordered for coherence and pacing. ?- Cut Bond suggesting Mathis might still be guilty. Bond has no reason to believe this.? - Cut M’s lines about Bond not trusting anyone. Not a core concept of the character, or an idea that emerges naturally from the story.? - Replaced end credits version of “You Know My Name” with “Vesper.” Ends the film on a more sober note. - Colour correction to lessen saturation and tinting throughout. The original colour grading often looks cheap and garish. - Cropped out product placement throughout. Way too many Sony cellphones. - Other minor cuts as needed.

Other Sources:

Casino Royale Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (David Arnold) Carry On (Chris Cornell).

Special Thanks:

My brother, dangermouse, and DominicCobb for reviewing and providing feedback.