From Russia with Love is one of the best James Bond films. In fact, it is more than just a great James Bond movie. It is a great spy movie with heroes and villains on both sides that are deceiving one another. When you combine all of this with one of the greatest henchman character portrayals in the history of the franchise, you get one of the most thrilling Bond films ever produced.
From Russia with Love is the second film in the James Bond franchise, and is the story of James Bond getting involved in an assassination plot in order for the British to get their hands on a Soviet LEKTOR encryption device. What makes this film so special is the complexity of the narrative. This is not your typical "Bond saves the world, and gets the girl" Bond film. You have to watch and listen carefully in order to know what is going on. Even when you think you know what is going on and what is going to happen, you actually have no idea. This was also the first Bond film to have the now-traditional opening title sequence. With such a rich narrative and great characters to boot, it is no wonder why From Russia with Love is a favorite among fans.
Sean Connery reprises his role as James Bond. In this film, we start to see certain characteristics that will be become the blueprint for the character. He is suave, he keeps his cool and the one-liners start to become commonplace. One of the other reasons I love this film is that we see Bond form friendships with his associates. Bond and Kerim Bay (Pedro Armendariz) form a mutual respect for one another, and the scenes with Connery and Armendariz are some of the best in the film.
Robert Shaw plays Grant. I absolutely love the fact that Grant does not say a word until the climax of the movie. There is a certain mystery and menace that is added to the character because of this. Shaw is thrilling to watch in the role, uttering his lines with coldness and malevolence. This is a terrifying performance if there ever was one.
Terence Young is the director of From Russia with Love. Most of the film takes place in Istanbul, and the sequences that showcase the city, especially the exterior shots, are remarkably beautiful. Most of the action sequences are at the end of the film and, while not over the top, are well done and serve the story quite well. It goes without saying that the fight scene between Bond and Grant on the train is one of the best ever filmed (although it is confusing which briefcase the tear gas is in). This scene has many cuts, which add tension and excitement, and Grant meets a fitting demise. Young grasps ahold of the essence of Bond with this film, and it is no wonder why his Bond films are some of the best.
From Russia with Love is one of my favorites of the Connery Bond films. It is so much more than your typical action flick. Raw emotion is evident in every scene, and as the film progresses you realize that the stakes have never been higher. If you are a Bond fan that needs to brush up on the history of the franchise, or if its simply been a while since you've seen this film, I highly recommend that you watch it.
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