However, instead of dwelling on recent controversies and the depressing thought that those who own the original copies of the Bond novels are now in possession of treasure, let’s delve into some facts you may not know about Ian Fleming’s first 007 book. Casino Royale (2006) photos, including production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity. Bond must defeat a private banker funding terrorists in a high-stakes game of poker at Casino Royale, Montenegro.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary, Ian Fleming Publications – the company that administers all of Fleming’s literary works – has had the Bond books edited as part of a sensitivity review to remove words or phrases to accommodate 21st century sensitivities, a move that smacks of historical revisionism and which Ian Fleming’s biographer Andrew Lycett described as “a form of censorship.” After earning 00 status and a licence to kill, secret agent James Bond sets out on his first mission as 007.

We’re of course talking about Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel 'Casino Royale', which hit shelves on 13 April 1953.įleming wrote it at the age of 44 and the novel went on to launch the 007 literary universe – with a further 13 novels, which have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide – as well as kickstart the longest running cinematic franchise. Seventy years ago today, a journalist and naval intelligence officer released “the spy story to end all spy stories.”