A United Artists Picture, Written by Johanna Harwood, Richard Maibaum, Directed by Terence Young.
Following on from James Bond’s major motion picture launch just a year prior, ‘From Russia With Love’ establishes many of the trademark elements of a Bond film that we have come to expect, as well as standing up on its own as a truly great spy movie.
Obviously there are parts of these movies that are problematic now, and they deservedly have been written about in great detail by many people, but if you take the film as a product of its time, it’s really impressive.
The film is packed full of action, intrigue, is one of the sexiest films you could imagine without having an R-rating, and features Sean Connery at his swaggering best as 007, whilst also properly introducing the now iconic Blofeld and Spectre.
Connery himself was good in his first outing but his characterisation was a bit all over the place and his accent kept slipping. However, that isn’t the case here and he really carries the film on his back and makes it tough to look away when he’s on screen.
His ably backed up by the stunning Daniela Bianchi as the ‘Bond Girl’ and also a young Robert Shaw in very dashing mode himself.
Before Daniel Craig come play re-invented the character, this is what you thought of when you heard classic Bond.
Rating = 4/5
