Dr. No may have brought James Bond to the big screen, but I think we can all agree that From Russia With Love put the franchise on the map. Unlike its prequel, it incorporates many of the franchise hallmarks that fans love today, including the pre-title sequence, Desmond Llewelyn’s turn as Q, and the first gadgets. On top of that, this particular story has the distinction of being one of President John F. Kennedy’s favorite books… and the last film that he ever saw.
But does it hold up to the rigors of time? You bet your ass it does!
There’s More Character Development!
The best thing about From Russia With Love is its dedication to detail, particularly when it comes to the characters.
Sean Connery returns as an even more badass Bond than usual, partly because the script gives him more to do. He’s still a master assassin and spy, but this particular film delves into his job in a different way. Bond demonstrates his expertise in spotting the enemy, developing plans, and executing them, but he’s not perfect. In fact, his imperfect approach in the pivotal train sequence adds subtle touches of depth, culminating in a well-crafted fight scene that only heightens the tension.
Of course, there’s also the introduction of Bond’s smarmy sense of humor. Connery’s take is a little bit more subdued than the later iterations of the character, but it adds a dab of comic relief to an otherwise serious film.
The Bond girl is better than before as well, but there’s a weird twist that seems to be a hallmark of the time period. Tatiana Romanova is portrayed by Daniela Bianchi and voiced by Barbara Jefford. Both ladies bring the character to life with aplomb, but I think that the overall performance wouldn’t work without Jefford. You’ll find out why as we explore the later installments!
Lotte Lenya, Pedro Armendáriz, and Robert Shaw round out the main cast as Frau Farbissina Rosa Klebb, Ali Kerim Bey, and Red Grant. Of these new additions, I think that Mr. Armendáriz stands out with a vibrant performance that would have never made audiences guess that the actor had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He’s one of the better allies in the Bond canon, and you’ll love every precious second of his time on the screen.
The Plot Is Practical.
As a continuation of Dr. No, From Russia With Love has the obligation of continuing the story while adding a lot more weight to the events that preceded it. Fortunately, there’s more than enough spying here to sate any viewer’s appetite.
In the aftermath of Dr. No’s death, SPECTRE is howling for blood… and they want Bond to pay the price for his lack of vision. As such, Ernest Stavro Blofeld (Anthony Dawson/Eric Pohlmann) orders his henchmen to use Tatiana Romanova and a Soviet decoding device to lure Bond into a honey trap in Istanbul. Bond and M (Bernard Lee) naturally suspect that something’s up, but they go for the decoder anyway because it’ll give NATO an edge over the Soviets in the Cold War.
The plot is truly engaging and gives viewers a glimpse at Cold War politics without going too over the top.
To make things even better, the gadgets add a little extra something to the plot while keeping it all in the realm of practicality. Q gives Bond a booby-trapped briefcase, a collapsible sniper rifle, some gold coins, and a hidden throwing knife. Of these various additions to Bond’s arsenal, the only one that seems a little implausible is the knockout gas in the briefcase, but it is a decent idea if one doesn’t want people shuffling through their things!
It’s Not Without Its Flaws.
If From Russia With Love has any sort of flaw, it can be attributed to the film-making techniques of the 1960s.
On the smaller side of things, there are a few strange errors that can be easily spotted if one looks close enough. For instance, Daniela Bianchi seems to be mouthing a series of Bond and Bey’s lines on the train, particularly when she receives her passport. It’s not that big of a deal, but it is kind of funny and odd.
On a far more obvious and hilarious note, a production mistake interrupts the otherwise tense helicopter fight. The grenade explosion leaves the chopper relatively intact. However, the front breaks off in the next shot, only to be put back together in the third one. That mistake (and others like it) can be easy to miss, but those with a keen eye may point and laugh.
Conclusion.
From Russia With Love is one of the best spy thrillers of its time and an adventure that is perfectly worthy of 007. The character development is excellent, the cat-and-mouse chase is a lot of fun, and any little flaw can be easily brushed aside. If you love James Bond or need an education in the classics of cinema, put it on your watchlist!
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