From Russia with Love (1963)

After the success of what was deemed “too British”, Broccoli & Saltzman decide to produce another Bond film. Producers are leaning towards Thunderball, but Kennedy has other plans. As per usual, the producers’ relented and produced Bond II….

…Or as we now know it, From Russia with Love.

After defeating the thief of “Duke of Wellington”, Bond is laying in a Trench, when he is called upon to set off a trap. A Russkie offers a decoder to the capitalist pigs in exchange for asylum and a pick up from Bond. Arriving in Istanbul (…not Constantinople), we are cast head first into adventure, intrigue, sex and giant posters of Anita Ekberg in Call me Bwana  throughout the sophomore Bond.

What else can I say about FRWL? All has been said ‘bout this movie, from “God awful” to “classic” and I have to lean towards the latter in this case. Oh boy, it has everything in this film. The usual staples of the Bond film: witty banter, superb espionage and some steamy sex appeal are in full force and backed by a tremendous army.

General Terry Young returns to the sophomore battle, giving it his all in what is arguably his finest Bond film, his finest film, and…. Hell finest spy movie ever made. Sure, there are those who prefer their Flint’s and Bourne’s and Power’s, but serve me up the signature drink and some ladies and I’m as sound as a pound.

Connery is the die cast of Bond, serving us a terrific, burly take on the spy. Daniella Bianchi is easily the sexiest and best Bond girl, with Lotte Lenya and Robert Shaw being among the pinnacle of antagonists in all of cinema. ALL of cinema; just look at future films in the series: OHMSS, TND, TLD, for proof of their influences. Even the supporting cast, with Pedro Armendariz as Kerim Bay, shows its influence almost 50 years after the film was released in ’63.

And what is film without the screenplay by Maibaum which is one of my favorite scripts of all time, and I am including Casablanca, too.  In fact, most of the film is generally perfect as is, but perfection is non-existent, so let’s point out the flaws.

Some, now-dated, process shots, a few pacing issues and a scene too reminiscent of North by Northwest, are the only glaring flaws. Glaring? They are so puny, it’s like nitpicking the statue David. So lean back, enjoy the glowing sex on the silver screen and be amazed.

Just an all out classic!

4 out of 4

reviewed by Jacob Scarberry

© Copyright 2011 John Shatzer