Forget the reviews that harp on about "Casino Royale" - the fact that an important plot point was lifted from that book is IRRELEVANT to the enjoyment to be had from one of Britain's Best Sixties Movies.And don't concern yourself with Warren Beatty either. Only hired to sell the movie Stateside, he sleep-walks through it, while awaiting fame as Clyde Barrow, George Roundy, et al.Instead, delight in the performance of the lovely Susannah York (who sadly passed, earlier this year) who sparkles in this project - the sterling work by the bizarre Murray Melvin - the excellent wallow in Napoleonic evil, delivered with relish by the great Eric Porter - and above all, the outstanding turn from the incomparable Clive Revill (who, at 81, is still with us).After memorable appearances in many British movies, Revill relocated to America in the early Seventies and squandered his talents as one of the great character actors on TV fare (although he did get to shine as Villain Of The Week in a Columbo).But here, he excels as a quirky Scotland Yard detective, in possibly his best outing ever. Truly he was one of those rare actors who always gave more than was on the page.Add to these a slew of Sixties kitsch - and not forgetting a literate script - and you have one of the Great British Sixties Movies. Enjoy!

Robert and Jean Carrington wrote this story and the movie version is directed by Jack Smight. It tells the story of handsome Barney Lincoln (Warren Beatty) a suave and debonair playboy who creates a most ingenious plan to rob the most prestigious European casinos in Europe. He does this by 'marking' the original manufacturing plate design for playing cards. Thus when he plays in the very best casinos, he has an edge. Unbeknown to Mr. Lincoln, British police Inspector 'Manny' McGinnis (Clive Revill) has discovered his secret and convinces him to help bankrupt Harry Dominion (Eric Porter), a dangerous and notorious drug smuggler by playing cards with him. Risking his life and that of Angel McGinnis (Susannah York) his ditsy girlfriend, both play dangerously close to a man quite capable of murdering them. What Lincoln does not anticipate is that Dominion will play with Unmarked cards. This charming and delightful film is one of Beatty's best and one which is certain to become a fun Classic for all audiences. Easilly recommended. ****

People often say that major movie stars are just themselves in one role after another... Certainly many successful leading men and women do maintain a more or less consistent identity from one movie to the next...Beatty's characterization of Barney Lincoln is full of subtle, precise detail... He is a trained professional, whose cheating methods is to mark high value cards...Barney knows how to get the job done, and understands when things are getting a little too tough... But as an up-and-coming poker player facing a long-time master of the game, his cunning is tested through bluff and double bluff... Not only is there a huge fortune at stake, but also his status of being the luckiest gambler of them all...Susannah York seems to have quite a flush of youthful beauty as the spirited blonde in pursue of a handsome young player chasing his win on the Baccarat table...The film is not a complete bore, but you won't think too much about it once it's over...

Though not credited (and probably unauthorized), this film is clearly based on the James Bond novel "Casino Royale" by Ian Fleming. In fact, it's more like the novel than the 1967 film "Casino Royale". The initial set-up of the story is very different - it has nothing to do with spies, and Beatty's character is not based on Bond; but his attempt to out-gamble a villain, and the subsequent events, will be very familiar to anyone who has read the book. Bond fans who have wished for a faithful adaptation of "Casino Royale" should check out this film. *****************************************************ADDENDA: I wrote the above comments in February of 2001. It's now November 2006, and a new "official" version of "Casino Royale" is in theaters. It's one of the best Bond films ever, and very faithful to Fleming's original book. But I still heartily recommend "Kaleidoscope" to Bond fans (and others).