From Russia with Love
From Russia With Love is the second James Bond film and the second to star Sean Connery as British Secret Service agent Commander James Bond. From Russia With Love was released in 1963 based on the Ian Fleming novel of the same name. It was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman and directed by Terrance Young who also directed Dr. No.
From Russia with Love is considered the best of the Bond films by many critics -- and Connery himself. Though its relatively low-key tone contrasts with the outlandishness of Goldfinger, the overall quality of the writing --- and the performances of detective Connery and killer Shaw -- make it a standout 007 film, more than four decades after its premiere.
Plot Summary
From Russia with Love tells of a series of elaborate plots and counterplots between British and Russian intelligence agencies. While this is technically the second James Bond film that involves the evil organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E, in this film we actually see the insides of the organization and the plot has to do with their scheme. S.P.E.C.T.R.E.'s scheme is to make Bond unknowingly steal a Soviet decoding machine called the Lektor and deliver it to them.
Theme Music
From Russia with Love is also the first Bond film with John Barry as the primary soundtrack composer, although the title theme itself was composed by Lionel Bart of Oliver! fame. Barry, who had arranged the "James Bond Theme" for Dr. No composer Monty Norman, would become the dominant Bond series composer for most of its history. In this film, Barry introduced "007", a piece of action music that would come to be considered the "secondary Bond Theme" and be used in a number of future Bond films featuring Connery and Roger Moore.
Vehicles & Gadgets
- Briefcase - This is technically Bond's first gadget. This briefcase given to Bond by Q-Branch constains a folding sniper rifle inside while ammunition, a knife, fifty gold sovereigns are contained in secret comparments accessable on the outside of the case. In addition, there a safety mechanism that will detonate a gas bomb in the briefcase if opened improperly.
- Pager - Even though From Russia With Love was made in the 60's and before one of these was actually invented, Bond had one to notify him if he ever needed to contact MI6. It's worth noting that Bond also had a phone installed in his car as well.
Cast & Characters
- Producers: Albert R. Broccoli , Ian Fleming
- Screenplay: John Barry
The film is notable for the first appearance of Desmond Llewelyn as Q, a character he would play in nearly all of the Bond films until his death in 1999. Q did appear in the previous film, Dr. No, but was played by a different actor and was not referred to as Q. The cast also includes Robert Shaw, perhaps best known as Quint in Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975).
Author and James Bond creator Ian Fleming makes a cameo in the train scene, standing outside on the right of the train. He is wearing grey trousers and a white sweater.
Locations
Parody
- Lenya's character, Rosa Klebb, is often cited as the prototype for the Frau Farbissina character in the Austin Powers series of movies.
