When MI6 learns that a Soviet decoding machine known as the Lektor is up for grabs, James Bond is sent to Istanbul to steal it. He makes contact with a beautiful Russian woman known as Tatiana Ramanova who has fallen in love with him and wishes to defect. She is also willing to aid 007 in his theft of the Lektor in return for sanctuary in Britain. However, both are being used as unwitting pawns in an insidious scheme masterminded by SPECTRE. The evil crime syndicate has organised the ploy in order to bring about the death of 007 in revenge for his killing of fellow SPECTRE operative Dr.No. Once Bond has met his demise at the hands of hired assassin Red Grant, SPECTRE plans to humiliate the British further by taking the Lektor and selling it back to the Russians...
Having not been at all enthralled by the first Bond adventure, Dr.No, it is my belief that From Russia With Love should really have been the outing to kick off the brilliant franchise. In my opinion this movie is far superior and dare I say it, personally found Dr.No overtly dull. Although in terms of plot, FRWL is a direct follow-on from Dr.No(but that doesn't mean that the first movie is required viewing). It must also be said that this movie is probably the only Bond film which is completely faithful to Ian Fleming's novels. The OTT gadgets and surreal plots which would be staples of the later films are wholly absent here and believe me, this isn't as bad as it sounds. FRWL is nothing but a straightforward espionage thriller with superb action sequences and terrific performances. We have a rousing shootout in a gypsy camp as well as Bond downing a SPECTRE helicopter with a Sniper rifle, with explosive results!(no pun intended). The fiery destruction of a fleet of SPECTRE speedboats also looked amazing. Still I think the best action scene in the movie is the chaotic fight between Bond and SPECTRE assassin Red Grant in the confines of cramped train compartment. One of the most awesome fistfights ever committed to film, the tight close-ups and medium shots of the violent struggle as well as the abrupt cuts convey spectacularly the claustrophobic, as well as brutal tone of the entire sequence.
Again Sean Connery brings an impressive air of professionalism to the role of Bond and thus his performance is all the more excellent for it. Personally, I think that Robert Shaw steals the show as hired assassin Red Grant, the conversation between his character and Bond just prior to the aforementioned fight is a truly sublime scene. John Ford stock company veteran Pedro Armendariz also had a great turn as Bond's ally Kerim Bey, as did Lottie Lenya as the sinister Rosa Klebb. Lionel Bart's instrumental title piece was pretty fine, although it's one of the series' lesser compositions. However it is accompanied by a vibrant and gorgeous title sequence, where the credits are projected onto the body of a belly dancer.
As I said, FRWL is a huge improvement on Dr.No. As the decade progressed, the Bond movies would just get better and better. A rollicking effort from beginning to end. 9/10
Having not been at all enthralled by the first Bond adventure, Dr.No, it is my belief that From Russia With Love should really have been the outing to kick off the brilliant franchise. In my opinion this movie is far superior and dare I say it, personally found Dr.No overtly dull. Although in terms of plot, FRWL is a direct follow-on from Dr.No(but that doesn't mean that the first movie is required viewing). It must also be said that this movie is probably the only Bond film which is completely faithful to Ian Fleming's novels. The OTT gadgets and surreal plots which would be staples of the later films are wholly absent here and believe me, this isn't as bad as it sounds. FRWL is nothing but a straightforward espionage thriller with superb action sequences and terrific performances. We have a rousing shootout in a gypsy camp as well as Bond downing a SPECTRE helicopter with a Sniper rifle, with explosive results!(no pun intended). The fiery destruction of a fleet of SPECTRE speedboats also looked amazing. Still I think the best action scene in the movie is the chaotic fight between Bond and SPECTRE assassin Red Grant in the confines of cramped train compartment. One of the most awesome fistfights ever committed to film, the tight close-ups and medium shots of the violent struggle as well as the abrupt cuts convey spectacularly the claustrophobic, as well as brutal tone of the entire sequence.
Again Sean Connery brings an impressive air of professionalism to the role of Bond and thus his performance is all the more excellent for it. Personally, I think that Robert Shaw steals the show as hired assassin Red Grant, the conversation between his character and Bond just prior to the aforementioned fight is a truly sublime scene. John Ford stock company veteran Pedro Armendariz also had a great turn as Bond's ally Kerim Bey, as did Lottie Lenya as the sinister Rosa Klebb. Lionel Bart's instrumental title piece was pretty fine, although it's one of the series' lesser compositions. However it is accompanied by a vibrant and gorgeous title sequence, where the credits are projected onto the body of a belly dancer.
As I said, FRWL is a huge improvement on Dr.No. As the decade progressed, the Bond movies would just get better and better. A rollicking effort from beginning to end. 9/10
