From Russia With Love (1963) Review

Title: From Russia With Love
Year: 1963
Director: Terrence Howard
Country: UK
Language: English

In 1962 a reporter asked US President John F. Kennedy what was on his reading list and he responded with Ian Fleming's From Russia With Love. This boosted sales of the book and, after also seeing the public's interest, the Producers decided to adapt the book into the next Bond flick. Interestingly enough; From Russia With Love was the last film Kennedy would watch prior to his assassination. 

James Bond (Sean Connery) willingly falls into an assassination plot involving a naive Russian beauty (Daniela Bianchi)  in order to retrieve a Soviet encryption device that was stolen by the organization Spectre.

From Russia With Love set the formula for the Bond film, creating a standard that is still sought after in modern 007 flicks. The screenplay is pretty good; a smart spy story that is ahead of its time in terms of portraying sexuality onscreen. The editing of the film is also innovative; it set the template for what action choreography would look like in later years. 

Many people, including Connery himself, consider From Russia With Love to be the Best Bond film. I certainly appreciate the film. The score, set design, lighting and on-location shooting fully immerse us in the atmosphere of Bond's world & keep us pulled in throughout the run-time. Its easy to become invested in our characters because we are invested in such an unpredictable story. 

I do think some of the casual racism/sexism dates this film, and some of the picture trudges along too slowly for my liking. However, these are minor issues compared to the impressive story that unfolds onscreen. I would certainly recommend it.