The Importance of the “Banned” James Bond Criterion Collection Laserdiscs

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In this video, I discuss the importance and overall history of the famous 1991 Criterion Collection Laserdisc releases of the first three James Bond films. These were the first major special editions the series ever saw on physical media. The first three films were licensed to Criterion in the usual manner that MGMUA would give them titles for LD release. Criterion produced new supplements and transfer materials in their usual style, including audio commentaries with original crew members. This being in the early days of home video, it was still mostly uncharted territory and so as a result, EON productions did not like the contents of the commentaries. In short Criterion was forced to remove the special edition from release with only the subsequent film only CLV edition being in print. Ever since fans have talked about these releases in regards to the now famous commentaries. Urban legends have been shared endlessly over the years that the tracks were “banned “for seemingly salacious content when the actual story is really much simpler.

I’m making this video to detail the overall importance of these releases and to try and set the record straight some on the actual story of the commentary tracks and why they are priceless treasures. But the discs themselves have other materials that are priceless, especially in trying to restore and present the films as best as possible. By looking at these and other MGM releases from the same time period one is able to source the best iterations of the original audio mixes and the isolated music and effects tracks, which can be used to create your own soundtrack for music that has never been released. And sadly in some cases it may be the only version that survives of unreleased music cues.

00:00 Release discussion and history
03:00 The extras and story of the so-called "banned" audio Commentaries
07:14 The movie only CLV standard reissue and how to identify editions
09:45 Criterion's attempt to release the commentaries on mail order cassettes
10:29 The contents of the commentaries are priceless but do contain some non-PC comments. They are not terrible but certainly dated here and there.
11:36 Cubby Broccoli's concern was revealing too much production information. Anyone who claims these are “shocking” is stretching a point.
13:50 The "banned" moniker is incorrect. The CAV versions were merely pulled prematurely.
14:15 These are priceless for open conversations with series legends, some of whom died shortly afterwards
16:05 Dr. No Spine 124 CAV Special Edition
17:51 The all important isolated music and effects track-the ONLY release of Monty Norman's score!
21:03 The importance of this master for its fidelity to dye transfer print sources
22:33 The audio is the best presentation of the original mono mix ANYWHERE. Except one issue requiring to patch with MGM 1992 reissue LD.
24:20 Criterion put extras at the end of sides interrupting the film.
25:22 From Russia With Love Spine 131 CAV Special Edition
27:06 Special Edition Supplements
28:10 The best audio presentation AND isolated M&E track is on the 1992 MGM Letterboxed LD which had a newer video master.
31:40 Goldfinger Spine 132 CAV Special Edition
32:50 Special Edition Supplements
34:45 The isolated M&E track is the only known source of the complete John Barry score!
35:25 These give an opportunity to closely study Norman Wanstall's masterful sound effects work.
36:28 In spite of limitations this is the only source for all of John Barry's soundtrack cues.
37:35 The Criterion video transfer is unique and from a print source
38:16 The best audio of the Oscar winning original mono mix is the 1988 MGM/UA analog video master on LD and VHS.
40:07 Final Summary