Bond Is Back! And Is He!
Throughout 2024 I will be reviewing all of the James Bond films in order of release…which brings us to a poster that screams “James Bond Is Back!”
You see, while the first film “Dr. NO” was a hit, a sequel wasn’t a guaranteed success – so they took no chances – not only were they announcing the secret agent’s return, but what he was bringing with him!
An “Incredible” Second Outing Of 007!
Yes, this poster is filled with “incredible” things for the secret agent’s second time out – and if fact, the second adventure of 007 was bigger, bolder, and brought to us his “tuxedo wearing firearm holding” pose that would remain with us forever!
Here is the trailer, which is still introducing the character to audiences, so a heavy emphasis on who James Bond is permeates the trailer:
My Review Of “From Russia With Love!”
I really enjoyed “Dr. NO”, but it’s very clear that the filmmakers used that successful launch of Secret Agent 007 to make the sequel bigger and better than ever!
You can sense a confidence and swagger from the opening scene, which begins with the now iconic gun barrel walk and pointed shot at the screen, then we see Bond in a tuxedo at night being followed outside a mansion.
As careful as 007 is, he is killed! Yes, James Bond dies in the first few minutes of the film – well, until we see the dead man’s mask peeled off – it was a test to see just how good the ruthless killer Red Grant was!
Robert Shaw is terrific as the trained Assassin, and Lotte Lenya as Rosa Klebb is also great, she one of SPECTRE’s highest ranking officials, and she is part of a plan to lure Bond into a deadly trap.
The legendary Actor Robert Shaw may be best known for his role in “Jaws” eleven years later, but he’s terrific here as the brutal killer who tracks Bond as 007 is lured to Istanbul by a worker at the Russian Embassy there, who is willing to steal a secret Russian decoder machine – but only if she can give it directly to James Bond!
We learn this from a “never seen” figure who gives out order sto his SPECTRE team while stroking a white cat on his lap – yes, it’s Ernst Stavro Blofeld – who we hear but never see!
In fact, in the credits at the end of the film, the actor is listed simply as “?”!
The New “Bond Girl”!
This film tradition continues as we are introduced to Tatiana Romanova, played by newcomer Daniela Bianchi – the Secretary from the Embassy who claims she loves James Bond!
While everyone knows that it’s a trap, Bond goes anyway just in case he can snag one of the machines!
After connecting with a local Spy chief, and the secretary from the Russian embassy, the movie becomes a game of cat-n-mouse, as Bond works to get the decoding machine while his enemies look for ways to kill him.
The second Bond film is more a suspense thriller than an action film – until the end when several set pieces involving helicopters, exploding boats and more end the film with a bang.
We have now seen the signature elements of a Bond film solidified:
He flirts once again – in a very handsy way – with Miss Moneypenny. Bond is clearly a ladies man who has an appetite for women – and the film once again reiterates that he enjoys his Martini shaken, not stirred as well.
Also, the Bond theme shows up throughout the entire film to add energy and excitement to the proceedings. “From Russia With Love” is a big and bold step forward in a number of ways.
The film is quite “adult” in a few scenes, like when we see Shaw’s assassin character getting a massage from a woman who strips down to bra and panties…this is 1964, and scenes like this were still not common in films.
Bond is lured into bed numerous times by Tatiana, and the film makes clear she is using 007 to lure him to his death – as Robert Shaw ruthlessly kills everyone along the way.
We see a number of gadgets given to Bond, the beginning of Desmond Llewelyn’s run as “Q” in the series, and the film takes Bond to Venice and Istanbul as well – giving the film a truly international feel.
One sequence takes Bond to a gypsy camp where he witnesses a catfight between two women fighting over one man – until an explosive attack sequence takes place – a very nicely done set piece – again, with Shaw’s Assassin tailing Bond the entire time.
The film’s signature set piece takes place on a train, a brutal fight between Bond and his Assassin that is rough and raw – and reminded me of the brutal fight in a cruise ship room from the 1970 film “Darker Than Amber.”
“From Russia With Love” is a terrific second installment in the Bond series – played for the most part straight, as opposed to the more outlandish films in the series to come.
Here is some great trivia about the film, thanks to the terrific website IMDB.com
Sean Connery has called “From Russia With Love” his favorite Bond film, and Steven Spielberg cast Actor Robert Shaw in “Jaws” after seeing him in this movie.
Another terrific sequence involves the knife shoe used by Rosa Klebb to attack Bond – it was an actual weapon used by the K.G.B.!
Finally, “From Russia With Love” was the last James Bond movie released during Author Ian Fleming’s lifetime. He died one month before the next Bond film was released – and what a film it was!
Yes, the next film in the review series is “Goldfinger”, and it blew the doors off of movie theaters – the review will look at how!
One last point – “From Russia With Love” ended this way, beginning the trend of always teasing the next Bond film to come in the closing credits!
This was the second Bond film – click here to see my review of “the birth of Bond!”
There will always be arguments over who are the best “Bond Girls” – there have been many, and some clearly stood out:
You can click here to see some of my favorites:
I love this film series, and I’m not a fan of looking back at films from different eras and putting today’s standards against them…but that is happening now – click here to see the story of one theater that put a warning out when showing these films again:
The film series is celebrating the music of 007, and writing the theme song has become a coveted opportunity, with some of the world’s biggest Musical Artists have had the honor:
Adele wowed everyone with her “Skyfall” theme song, but some have been less successful…here is a list of my best and worst 007 themes:
There are those who even want to judge the Bonds themselves!
This documentary looks a the entire Bond phenomenon, and I weighed in on my “best” and “Worst” Bonds, which you can read here:
If you like these stories, why not sign up to receive emails whenever I post? It’s easy to do, I do NOT collect any information about you at all, there are absolutely NO ads of any kind, just stories about movies, music, food, travel and pop culture…
You can sign up by clicking on my blog here and see the note on the right!
I will be reviewing all of the 007 films this year, so let me know your thoughts, and if you like this story please share on social media!
Categories: Action Films, Art, British Cinema, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Great post! Such a fun project for 2024. Can’t wait to read the rest!
http://www.sunshinewithsavannah.com
LikeLike
Thank you! “Goldfinger” posts tomorrow…it’sintersting to see how the films and the character evolves…and yes, I am anticipating some big speed bumps ahead1. Thanks for reading and commenting!
LikeLike
The first one, and still one of the best. It looks great, the story is interesting, and Connery is cool and deliciously mean. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am watching “Thunderbolt” as I type this! “Goldfinger” review goes up in tow days…finding this very interesting to watch one a week and see how they hold up or dont especially as I get into Roger Moore and then the modern era! Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, I meant to respond to the Dr. No post… 😦
LikeLike
What a coincidence! I’m currently revisiting the Bond films in chronological order (one per week — I called it Saturdays with Bond). Today, I’m re-watching Thunderball…
Anyhow, From Russia with Love is one of the best. It has so many great moments, specifically the fight sequence aboard the train. The song is a bit weak, but the rest is top-notch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW what a coincidence! I will make sure to read them all and comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me, Roger Moore is the best of the bonds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for that! I am looking forward to getting to the Moore 007 films as I remember the earlier ones as terrific and then an 80’s slide into a bit of parody…we will see ho why memory holds up to the screening!
LikeLike
Hi John, both Greg and I have read all the Ian Fleming 007 books and they translated really well to movies. These are a product of their time but still so good and entertaining.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Robbie and when Amazon first got into the kindle business they offered a special deal and I got a half dozen of them for a buck each! Thanks for the comment as always!
LikeLike
My pleasure, John.
LikeLike
The ones with Sean Connery are masterpieces – each and every one of them. I am looking forward to your reviews, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you as always for reading and commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, John.
LikeLike
This is one of my favorites!
LikeLike
I think this was the best…..I always wanted to ride the Orient Express. chuq
LikeLike
it was such a good one, and looking over all of the points and pieces, it’s clear to see that it was a big leap, with more women, sexy scenes, women fighting, mysterious nemesis, locations, etc. also makes sense that they’d tease the next one at the end, great marketing plan to keep the audience excited and looking forward to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that tease of the next film was the first time in movie history that was done and was done for every movie since except one I think and there was a reason for that which I will reveal – thanks for all of your comments and insight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ah!
LikeLike
Skyfall is my favourite, and I also have a fridge magnet of Daniel Craig in his little blue swimming trunks, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HA! Well, you have a long time wait for that review – I’m interested in seeing how well some of them have aged…”Skyfall” is widely considered one f the 5 best Bond films!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I loved this post! The trailer really showcased Bond. I’d forgotten that Jaws Robert Shaw was the trained assassin in this movie. And the white cat, the knife in the toe of the shoe….so many great parts to an excellent movie. Thank you for the many details and photos. Keep the Bond movies coming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting, it is much appreciated! I am eager to see how some of them hold up…a few I haven’t seen in years and years and a few I hated so much I want to see if that was fair or not – I figured by watching one a week I’d have a better feel for the evolution of the character!
LikeLike
I always liked Robert Shaw and thought he was very good in this film. But I agree that it was getting ‘bigger and brasher’, a trend that continued in Bond films. In my opinion, less was more. :)
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well Pete, when I watch one per week I hope I get a better sense of why it went that way , especially when you get to the later Roger Moore outings and the embarrassing end of Brosnan’s run!
LikeLiked by 1 person