Hailed as ‘the greatest James Bond movie ever made’ with fans giving it a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

Daniel Craig as 007 (Image: Getty Images)

Bond aficionados are in for a treat as ITV4 airs what’s been dubbed ‘the greatest James Bond movie ever made’ tonight – Casino Royale.

The 2006 blockbuster sees newly minted 007, James Bond, portrayed by Daniel Craig, embarking on his inaugural mission to bankrupt terrorist financier Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen, via a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro.

With the assistance of Treasury agent Vesper Lynd, brought to life by Eva Green, Bond uncovers treachery and a larger criminal syndicate known as Quantum following Le Chiffre’s downfall.

This leads to torture, Vesper’s heartbreaking suicide, and Bond’s relentless quest for justice, marking the beginning of his evolution into a hardened spy.

Casino Royale is notable for being Daniel Craig’s debut as 007, succeeding Pierce Brosnan who had held the iconic role for seven years across four films.

Daniel Craig and Eva Green in Casino Royale (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Under the direction of Martin Campbell, the film smashed box office records with an opening day haul of $1.7 million in the UK alone, and raked in over $616 million globally, reports the Mirror.

The film is also remembered for swapping baccarat for Texas Hold ‘Em poker and setting a world record for the most assisted car barrel rolls in a single stunt scene with seven.

Casino Royale has won over fans and critics alike, boasting a stellar 94 percent rating on film and TV review site Rotten Tomatoes, where it has received numerous five-star reviews.

One reviewer said: “A cast of true talent, a Bond girl that can finally tangle with him in smarts, and action that will please even the harshest critics. If you were going to watch only one Bond film, I’d put Casino Royale above all the rest.”

Daniel Craig made this scene very famous (Image: LLC and United Artists Corporation)

A second added: “Casino Royale, the greatest James Bond movie ever made. This movie’s soundtrack is so brilliant and the visuals are so good. The action sequences are violent and action packed. Daniel Craig does a great job as 007. Bit, overall, I give Casino Royale a 9/10 or a 4/5 stars.

“The best Daniel Craig bond movie in the series, the concept, the interrogation scenes, great directing and acting,” a third wrote.

Another viewer said: “Bond reinvented for sure! Like it was meant to be from the start. This one will always be a benchmark of sorts. Intense dedication from a very capable Daniel Craig, lots of action, suspense, devil may care attitude, get it done, dark and determined with razor sharp focus.”

One fan added: “Masterpiece. Excellent cinematography and visually stunning. Great story, very well written. Whole cast excels in character. riveting to the end. Non stop intrigue and very engaging. Highly recommended.”

A further admirer noted: “I’m a few years late to the 007 craze but this movie is timeless 19 years later. It gave the audience a fresh new take on who Bond is, the flaws he has and a little more in detail about him as a person. The action is phenomenal.”

Casino Royale airs on Wednesday 11 February on ITV4 at 9pm.