JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonFrom Russia With Love (1963) - Trailer Included
December 5th 2006 07:20
From Russia With Love
On the eve of the release of the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale it is appropriate to look back at this first official sequel in the influential spy series.
DVD Cover
Music: John Barry & Monty Norman
Novel: Ian Fleming
Screenplay: Richard Maibaum
Regarded by Bond buffs as the best in the series, this second entry in the ludicrously successful series is an intelligent espionage thriller, gritty and violent, creating a duplicitous world that is both intoxicating and deadly.
The character of 007 in 1963 is rough around the edges, a forboding figure. A womanizing, chain smoking boozer who carried a sense of menace, you would not want to cross him in a dark alley.
Bond has a license to kill and his morality reflected it. Living each day as if it was his last it stands to reason he would embrace vice (booze, broads, Nicotine) and abuse them in the same way he does violence and deception.
In the height of the cold war, From Russia with Love’s now famous opening scene sets the mood. Dark and threatening, a KGB assassin Donovan Grant (Robert Shaw) is sneaking through a court yard at night, obviously stalking a target.
Abruptly in a vicious and skilful attack he murders his prey. Suddenly the lights come on around the grounds and we see the dead body of James Bond lying on the ground. A Russian walks up to the corpse, bends down and removes a mask, the victim was just a training tool.
“Training is useful, but there is no substitute for experience.” - Rosa Klebb
”I agree: we use live targets as well.” - Morzeny
Cue the no less unforgettable opening credits, the first to use the Bond staple of superimposed, suggestive female body parts filling the screen.
After witnessing the classy staging of a world championship chess match, we learn of a plan to kill our hero, using a pining female as bait.
Russian agents force an operative (Daniela Bianchi) to pose as a defector, throwing a tasty decoding device into the mix, ensuring that Bond will take the bait.
“Corporal, I have chosen you for an important assignment. It's purpose is to give false information to the enemy. If you complete it successfully, you will be promoted.” – Rosa Klebb
Leaving his prized Bentley and of course a toey bit of tail behind, James heads to Istanbul where spy games play out daily in the capital and fatalities lurk around every corner.
Armed with his first set of Q branch gadgets, the mission will be completed and along the way Gypsy girls cat fight, a sniper rifle is expertly handled and a benchmark moving train confrontation erupts.
“The first one won't kill you; not the second, not even the third... not till you crawl over here and you KISS MY FOOT!” – Donovan Grant
"And you thought I never worried about this stuff."
John Doe says:
The subsequent films progressed into a comic book universe. From Russia With Love draws the audience in with its smarts and skilful filmmaking. Aware of its exaggerations but still striving to convince this could really happen, Bond maybe a superhero but he can still be hurt.
Director Terence Young (Wait Until Dark, Red Sun, Triple Cross, Valachi Papers) lived the James Bond life style for real. Gambling and carousing, surrounding himself with the finest women, wine and material possessions. he was a sophisticated man who demanded the best and got it.
Credited with helming 3 quintessential 007 films (Dr No, From Russia with Love, Thunderball) he shaped the macho thug Sean Connery into the super spy that defined him.
Edited with precision and shot with an eye for deadly beauty the films action scenes are masterfully staged. The standout is the close quarter’s fight choreography between Robert Shaw and Connery in a cramped train compartment.
Regular Bond scribe Richard Maibaum (Dr No, Thunderball, For Your Eyes Only etc), takes the core of Ian Flemings novel and meshes an intricate plot that keeps you involved and entertains with its taut, frank dialogue.
It’s redundant to praise Sean Connery’s (The Man Who Would be King, The Offence, The Hill, Time Bandits, The Anderson Tapes) mighty portrayal as the secret agent, he made it so much his own that ever since no one has filled his masculine shoes. Confident, charismatic and oozing sexual power few stars have ever maintained such a presence.
The well cast co stars Bernard Lee (M) and Lois Maxwell (Moneypenny) cemented their importance as a crucial component in the chemistry of films with their splendid portrayals.
Hard and seemingly unbreakable Robert Shaw (Jaws, A Man For All Seasons, Battle Of Britian, Taking of Pelham 1,2,3) is a worthy foe who is frighteningly callous and lethal.
According to Empire magazine last month, every James Bond who has auditioned for the role has been handed a scene from this film to prove their metal, testament to its stature as the ultimate example
of the silverscreen hero working for MI6.
The DVD:
Where do I start? The new, digitally restored 2 disc SE redefines the term DVD delight. The sound and picture are faultless and the extra features house an over abundance of information, factoids and anecdotes about making the film. The commentary tracks are equally satisfying, expanding on and filling in pieces of 007 lore that when digested are as tasty as a bucket of Hagen Daaz Rocky Road ice cream.
Enjoy the retro fun of the original trailer below.
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Comment by Bhumika
Political Minds
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I haven't seen the Casino Royale (remake) yet..........(maybe this weeekend)
Im a lifelong Bond fan but, I am one of those that despised the flat, Politically correct Pierce Brosnan Bonds (I havent seen one on the big screen since the disappointing Goldeneye) and thought they gave the series a bad name as truly mindless comic book fluff..
From Russia With Love is my fave of the series. Sean Connery is ofcourse the only Bond for me, but I also liked Timothy Dalton alot.
I grew up in the era of Roger Moore but really only enjoyed two of his entries (Live and Let Die & For Your Eyes Only)
Thanks for dropping by and please come back anytime.