No Time To Die: The Traditional Cut

No Time To Die is a decent thriller, but a pretty lacking Bond film for several obvious reasons. This edit seeks to excise some of the original’s more egregious faux pas, with considerable success.

The two most obvious changes are to the opening and the ending. Using a gun barrel opening that contains blood looks like a small change on paper, but instantly conjures the Bond feel that the artsy fartsy original lacked. So too does the complete re-editing of the pre-credits sequence to a far more traditional action scene, with the moving of the overlong and poorly placed flashback sequence to later in the film lending it a more logical context.

The original ending is indicative of the studio and directors they’re hiring having an abject distaste for the Bond franchise and what it stands for, but the edits here again improve this immensely. Although the edits are somewhat more visible than they are in the opening sequence, the original footage is nevertheless used creatively to effectively construct a far superior ending that’s more befitting of the franchise.

The final package feels considerably more like a traditional Bond film, although there are flaws that can’t be fixed such as the weakness of the villain, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s drum-banging handprints all over the script or the sight of Daniel Craig stomping around with the suaveness of Mr Potato Head.

I feel as though I'll be echoing quite a few of the other reviewers but this was a very fun edit to watch!

I was slightly aware of the editing in the audio arena, largely due to sounds cutting out abruptly (whether this was due to needing to cut dialogue or was just from overlaying scenes, I think stretching these moments will be helpful). Futon has a great list in the review below.

The visual editing was very good! There were one or two instances where I could tell something was missing, either due to character "teleporting" or blood or whatnot but for the majority of it I was unaware.

The narrative changes were welcome, especially moving the opening, which always felt like a horror movie to me instead of a Bond movie. Safin not managing to get a word in at the very end is a bit abrupt but if I recall the dialogue there wasn't much that could be left in really.

Overall I enjoyed watching it, and your ending was great! I wonder if you could erase the missiles coming in and replace them with smoke as the plane flies away? Great work!

I am 58 years old and a lifelong Bond fan! The original "No Time To Die" movie ruined the whole Bond experience for me. The ending was so out of character to the spirit of Bond. The new edit saved my love of Bond. To me the movie was so well done! The editing was beautiful. I love the added parts that made it truly a Bond movie, like the opening. It had all the excitement and thrill that it should have. The very best part for me was the ending. Bond driving off with his love and daughter and the line that Bond says, "We have all the time in the world." Then the cherry on top was the closing credit song by Louis Armstrong, "We Have All the Time in the World." Which was a wonderful tribute to "His Majesty's Secret Service", the 1969 Bond movie. This new "No Time to Die" is a great ending to Daniel Craig's time a James Bond!

A Brilliant Fanedit of "No Time to Die": A True Bond Enthusiast's Masterpiece


"No Time to Die" was an okay addition to the James Bond franchise, but this fanedit takes it to a whole new level. It's evident that the creator behind this project possesses an exceptional understanding of the source material and a deep passion for Bond films.

From the moment the fanedit begins, it becomes apparent that meticulous care has been taken to enhance the overall viewing experience. The pacing has been finely tuned, creating a more engaging and tightly woven narrative. The moments that felt a bit sluggish in the original are now seamlessly edited, resulting in a more dynamic and exciting adventure.

One of the standout aspects of this fanedit is the seamless integration of Madeline's story in the middle rather than the opening and alternate cuts for the ending to allow Bond to live. These additions not only add depth to the story but also provide valuable context to certain character arcs. It's a testament to the editor's skill that these additional scenes feel completely natural and don't disrupt the flow of the film.

The visual and audio enhancements in this fanedit are truly outstanding. The color grading has been adjusted to give the film a more vibrant and cinematic look, elevating the already breathtaking cinematography. The soundtrack has been carefully reworked, effectively enhancing the atmosphere and intensifying the emotional impact of crucial scenes.

Moreover, the faneditor has made judicious trims to certain sequences, eliminating any unnecessary distractions and focusing on what truly matters. This approach allows the story to unfold more smoothly, resulting in a more immersive and captivating experience for the viewer.

One of the most impressive aspects of this fanedit is how it manages to improve upon the original film while still remaining true to the spirit of James Bond. The editor has a keen eye for maintaining the character's charm, wit, and suave demeanor, ensuring that every Bond fan will be thoroughly satisfied.

In conclusion, this fanedit of "No Time to Die" is a true labor of love. It showcases the skills, creativity, and dedication of a fan who wanted to enhance an already fantastic film. The meticulous editing, seamless integration of pre existing scenes, and careful audiovisual enhancements make it a must-watch for any Bond enthusiast. This fanedit stands as a testament to the power of fan creativity and the impact it can have on beloved franchises.

It's been a long time since I watched No Time To Die properly. I only saw it once when I went to the cinema, which is rare for me as a Bond fan. When a new film is out, I go to see it as many times as I can. This was different. I felt like I watched my childhood getting thrown into a bonfire and Daniel Craig smirking back with glee as he did it.

I was angry, disappointed but most of all, depressed. After two years of lockdowns and social distancing, I for one was looking forward to going back to the cinema. I wanted fun, entertainment but most of all, an escape from the real world. That's what cinema should do, provide a sweet distraction for an hour or two. Even back in the 1930's, the film industry got that. Shame, they don't get that now.

While my biggest issue with the film was the ending, I did feel that the film was disappointing in other areas. Firstly, the opening sequence was far too long and dumb moments like, release the sheep or you'll die and Vesper's (conveniently located and impressively sized) mausoleum. Bond screaming, how did they know he was there. Really?

After escaping SPECTRE, why does Bond put Madeline on a train and part ways with her (doesn't that make her more vulnerable to getting caught, like in the previous film??). Why was there little to no security in a building developing a biological weapon signed off by MI6? Why would someone like Mallory (M) go against his morals as seen in previous films to sign off on such a project in the first place. Because, a twist. Lazy and inconsistent writing. I'm sick of this trope in films these days, unintentional villains.

Some of the dialogue was a bit off too, like Bond's rant at Blofeld, too flippant, even for Bond. The juvenile dialogue back and forth between Bond and Nomi at MI6. Be professional, guys. Please? You're grown adults, talk like it. Then there's, Safin. Safin.... Ugh.... Another missed opportunity there. A villain blander than a rice cake. Even Kamal Khan (one of the most pointless villains in the Bond series) had more presence than Safin. Even if he was a jewel smuggling dandy, better that than Mr Whispers in No Time To Die.

Things I did like, Bond and Felix's friendship. I really loved this. Shame this too was wasted in part, too short a reunion. But I did cry in the cinema as I did when I watched the fanedit during Felix's death.

Paloma. Ah, Paloma. You firecracker, you! So bubbly, warm and energetic. Nice to have these kind of characters back in the series. Again, too short. More Paloma, less Nomi. If you had Paloma's character replace all of Nomi's bits, you have a better movie and tighter narrative. Another missed opportunity.

The score is stunning. One of the better scores during Craig's era. Especially after the bland score for Spectre. Not so fond of the title track by Billie Ellish. Then again, I'm not a fan of Ms Ellish's work or of contemporary pop music in general. Too mumbly, like the poor lass needs a throat lozenge or something. Oh dear.

Bond and Madeline's relationship does come across much stronger here than in the previous film which is a little jarring at first but gradually improves. The action sequences are as always still impressive.

While No Time To Die will never be a strong favourite for me, this fanedit however has made it a film worth re-watching. The new opening is tighter and straight to the point. Some minor cuts here and there, much better pacing than the original. The prologue edited into a flashback during the appointment with Madeline was beautifully cut in, improves the narrative and milks the mystery for a rewarding reveal.

The late Alfred Hitchcock once said, "The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder." He was right.

The original theatrical version was too long and as I recall, my bladder was beginning to hurt two thirds of the way into the film. This is where the overall pace of the new edit is, again, much better. This is a Bond film, not Tolstoy. A Bond film should be streamlined and not overly complicated. Scott Crane understands this.

The whole reason this fanedit was worth the wait was the new ending. A nice little coda to end this era of Bond. With all the loose ends finally tied up. Bond and co. can finally live in peace without looking over their shoulders. Had the original film ended this way, it would have felt less contrived and cliched. Another reason I detest most films these days, killing off the hero is getting increasingly dull and predictable. More than that, it's unnecessary and depressing. Remember when films used to be fun?

Scott Crane, you saved James Bond and cured my depression. When's my next appointment, Doctor Crane?