"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
Is it too early to contribute? I just watched DN on Blu-Ray a few weeks ago (and FRWL a couple of months before that), including the special features...I was inspired because I had just finished reading the Cinema Retro Magazine special on DN. I don't really have a lot of comments except the nice transfer (or is it a mental suggestion because I was told it was a blu-ray disc?) It just makes me wish a had a large TV and state-of-the-art sound system!
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
Yes, I'm sure we've all seen them by now, So I don't think we have to worry about Spoilers. )
So any time in July please feel free to give any opinions/views on the film/ content of DVD or Bluray.
Including any special features or commentaries, as I'm sure not all of us have watched every single
extra feature ( Although I'm certain some have ), so who knows we might all learn something
hidden in the depths of the menus. )
I was wondering if anyone has a 3D Tv, which can give a 3D effect on non 3D movies, as to what they
think, does it add anything to any scene in the series ?
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I was wondering if anyone has a 3D Tv, which can give a 3D effect on non 3D movies, as to what they
think, does it add anything to any scene in the series ?
Oh Yes , ( to quote Churchill, the insurance dog ) ) I've seen then sold
On the TV shopping channels, and they can give a " Faux" or interpretation
Of a 3d effect on normal 2d films etc.
I'd say it's more a gimmick, but just in case someone has tried it. )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Ah ok! Im behind the times with all things cinema nowadays!! Yeah imagine the result is not too pretty, even standard 3D releases that have been converted from 2D are a bit naff!!!
So whats the score on 4K? I have seen the TVs are now being heavily advertised and available but does any media exist for this super duper resolution format?
Not much, the bbc are showing a few matches from the world cup. Some
New cameras ( panasonic fz1000) shoots 4k video. Cinemas show films
In basically 2k ) . I've only just got some hd channels, so it will be a while
Before I change
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I have not seen anything in 4K yet - I've not heard or bothered reading reviews to see if its mind-blowing lol.
Wonder if we will hit the peak with 4K or it will continue - surely we must be close to the point where its impossible to see improvements. I mean on a really great blu-ray transfer the picture is stunning, e.g. can see the pores on peoples faces etc (maybe thats not a good thing!!)
I did watch a tech show, where they did say that there is so much
Resolution in 4k, that the Hunan eye can't " take it all in ", so they
Will continue to improve but we won't see the benefit. )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Just a reminder for anyone who wants to join in, in July we'll be watching
Dr No and FRWL, to review the films or comment on the special features etc
And to give any views on the transfer to bluray, if you think it's good or any
Oddities you might have noticed.
As the films are so well known, I don't think spoilers will be an issue. )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I hope this is the right thread to post this question to. Why are there no subtitles for non English spoken lines in the older films? Currently binge-ing though the Blu Ray Box set and on 'The Man with the Golden Gun'
Welcome Clody007 -{
I might be wrong here but I think most of it is Bond saying
Thank-you etc, or Frauline Bunt telling guards to keep an eye
On Bond. That sort of thing.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Watched Dr No today and have to say on Bluray it looks fantastic, The only thing that dates the film for me
is the soundtrack, The score is so 50's Thriller, thank God they got J Barry to give Bond his sound. -{
The opening titles are good and very eyecatching, The film starts with a Bang the Killing of Strangways and his
seceratry ( I'd say it was pretty brutal for 1962 ), Bond and is life style are very well introduced. Showing he's
still up gambeling at 3am ( which might be a refrence to the opening line from Casino Royale " The scent and
smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. " ) Although I do think the guy sitting next
to Bond, Looks like a chubby Ed Miliband. )
Looks a little odd these days after all the high Tec offices, and buildings of the modern Bonds, to see that MI6
as Universal Exports, share a floor with a Dentist and a Solicitor.
Loved the little bit of "Trade craft" showing Bond setting a few traps to see if anyone has been in to search his room.
The sets are also fantastic the use of Copper with the rough stone face, is a beautiful colour combination, the set
where Dent is given the spider is so simple yet so effective and creepy ( very comic book ).
Ursula Andress, never looked better :x and you can clearly see Connery's tattoo on his arm , I think it shows
some of the attitude of Bond ( From the novels ) when HE starts giving orders to his captors. )
I haven't actually sat down and watched Dr No in ages, so this was a real treat. The film has a great Nostalgic feel
as it shows the world as it was when Fleming was writing the books and it's funny to see how much they got right
from the start, even the humour is there. All in all Dr No is a fine Start for the Bond series.
The Making of documentary is as always interesting and informative. -{
Now to catch up with From Russia with Love. {[]
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I liked the review TP, can't wait to hear what you have to say about From Russia With Love, and why it's not in your top 5 . I kid of course. Here's my review of Dr. No, minus the sentimental bit.
P.S. Funny to see how you noticed some of the stranger creatures at the casino as well ) {[]
Dr. No
One of the first things that ever really leapt out to me about this film is Sean Connery's performance, and how he plays the role of Bond. From the get-go in the casino, you are looking at a self-confident, suave, quick-witted, and womanizing force on the screen which is hard not to enjoy. He immediately gave off the impression that he can be a very dangerous man when needed. He also looks very fit as well, which allows you to think that he can give anyone who wants it, a scrap. He shows us later on by manhandling the clearly weaker chauffeur (Mr. Jones) who took him to the airport. Even at the end of the film when Bond and Dr. No are shoving on the tiniest of enclosures, I had little doubt that Bond could lose because of what we see saw and an hour earlier. Plus, Dr. No without any hands, was in tough anyway.
Not only did Connery turn in a quality performance, but he was a given a good script for him to work with. He has enough punny one-liners and solid dialogue (dinner with Dr. No), to really show off a Bond as a character that you can really enjoy and root for on the screen.
Ursula Andress' portrayal is one of my favorites in the series. I have always loved, loved, loved Honey. She's stunning, the beautiful blonde hair, the tan body, and gorgeous legs. Whoa! Every time I watch I can't what to see her emerge onto the beach. Ursula plays Honey with a certain sense of naivety or vulnerability that I think helps the character. Honey walks into quite a predicament, and is understandably scared. In the Bond cannon, the Bond girl very rarely just pops up right out of the blue and had no choice but to continue into a dangerous mission. That's what gives Honey a bit uniqueness, and she sets the bar high for her fellow female counterparts to follow.
The plot of the movie is easy enough to follow, and is quite enjoyable. The writers did a good job of using a matter that was quite relevant at that time and it really isn't that difficult to envision.
Dr. No's mystery, is what builds him up to be a great villain. The control he has of Professor Dent, Mr. Jones, and the airport photographer is very interesting and lets your mind fill in the blanks. What does he look like, and what allows him to control and manipulate as well as he does? That's whats I've really come to enjoy about his character. We find out later that he is very cerebral and is well thought out. And when you do get a chance to see him, that eerie music plays, and you soon find out hie much of a maniac he really is.
Bond's two main allies in the picture, are Felix Leiter, and Quarrel the local fisherman. Quarrel is a real fun character and adds a realistic perspective to the film which is greatly appreciated. What gets almost lost about him is, he is only there because he was hired to be there. Quarrel's death is solely the fault of Bond and Leiter, because he had no dog in the fight. He basically foreshadows his doom, by saying how much he was unwilling to go to Crab Key because of the mystery of Dr. No and the dragon. Quarrel is unique because he really is an ally by hire, and not an ally with a government or agenda. With that being said; John Kitzmiller, Connery, and Jack Lord play off of each other well, especially in the nightclub. Every time I watch, I never get sick of Quarrel and Leiter.
For a low budget film, the brains behind the film did a good job of creating action, drama, and suspense in clever ways. The tarantula is a great example. Bond is at the mercy of this spider and there is little he can do to stop it. With that in mind, the staredown between Quarrel and Bond after they first and both begin walking to the bar is intriguing because of how it is directed. There is just an edge to it (excluding the subtle drop of Underneath the Mango Tree). Even Bond's escape from his cell is so interesting because you aren't sure what's going to happen. What could be hiding in that tunnel?
Ken Adam's sets is something that all Bond fans have come to enjoy over the years, and it all started here. I really like M's office as sort of the typical drab and very serious place where all of Britain's secrets are held. Dr. No's buildings are visually stunning as well, the control room is fantastic, plus the dining room are sophisticated and shown off well. But my favorite is the white room where Dent receives the spider. The dome, with a grid for a ceiling just feels sadistic, and the intensity of that scene alone is built up by the eerie room and it's white walls.
***
Little Things I've Grown to Love
The opening is fantastic, I don't get sick of seeing the flashing lights and Jamaican dancers, and there are no complaints about the Bond theme, that's for sure. Plus, the music playing in the tarantula scenes and when Dr. No is first introduced are both immaculate.
When Bond is in the casino playing chemin de fer, there are few weird looking characters st the card table. When Bond receives the card for him to leave, the guy to his right gives him the weirdest glance. Also the man to the right of Sylvia Trench looks like a British Bob Newhart, and when the camera pans out, you can see a lady with these thick sunglasses on at the table next to him. It's like she's trying to be like Phil Hellmuth or a modern poker player...
On the topic of sunglasses, Leiter's glasses could be the most unintentionally hilarious moment of the film. The last time I saw a pair like those, they were resting on the face of an eighty year-old woman.
A point that proves that Connery is just great in this film is this one. While phoning Playdell-Smith at the airport payphone, he discovers that the chauffeur there is really a baddie. As he's about to hang up, Bond says, "Forgive me if I'm a few minutes late." Then delivers the deadliest glare I've seen in a Bond flick. If looks could kill, the chauffeur, all three blind beggars, Miss Taro, and Dr. No all would have perished. It's so scary. That is the official, "You just screwed with the wrong British secret service agent."
While in the nightclub, the great tune "Jump Up" is played all danced to by all the people. If you look close enough, just as Pus-feller is about to arrive at Bond's table there is some guy that looks hilarious as he shakes his face and all muscles as much as he possibly can.
Bond again ascerts his will on others by the way he rather poshly asks for the slip of paper back from Professor Dent at Dent's office. The icyness of the whole conversation is great anyway, but the way James says, "Ohhh Professor, allow me" and snatches back that bill is excellent.
Again, Bond seems like he is really in control of each situation he's in, even when there is no he is.
When originally captured by Dr. No, Honey and James are both being hosed off from the radiation they received on the island, Bond is still handcuffed. The way he orders himself to be uncuffed is hilarious, he basically just points and says "You, How bout we do something about this first" and gets his wish.
Staying in that scene, I swore for a long time there was a slip by the censors when Honey receives her towel from the baddies. The way the camera is angled, it looks like if you just could maybe make out a nipple or something.... but alas try as I might, (and I did), I was never able to see anything out of the ordinary. It wasn't until recently that I found out she's wearing a skin-coloured bathing suit. Oh well...
While Dr. No and Bond are conversing over dinner, Bond conjures the line, "World domination, same old dream." What an amazing line, considering this is only the first Bond picture and 50 years of world domination attempts still haven't been tried.
***
Little Things I Dislike
Bond and Honey are talking while Quarrel's taking first watch for the dragon. Honey talks about how her father was killed, she was raped, and how she killed her rapist, and Bond looks so completely uninterested. Then at the end, gives a look like, "What the hell kind of woman did I just get to know." I wonder if Sean was told to play it that way, or decided himself to it that way. It just has always irked me.
For a seemingly smart villain, and intelligent manipulator of people, Dr. No makes some really really dumb choices. This is a man that seems to have the means to do whatever he needs to eliminate those in his way and he chooses, a one-off assassination attempt from long range (a scene that I always forget about because it's just awful), and the slight chance that if you put a spider in Bind's room it will kill him. That one is destroyed by basic common sense. Aren't there so many more effective ways that could be tied to eliminate him? The fact it takes two ridiculous attempts to realize that you know somebody to actually hunt him down and shoot him, shouldn't happen for a smart guy like Dr. No. Also he gives Bond an escape route from his cell. It's almost like he asked to be killed. (Answered now, thanks Barbel)
After Bond delivers Miss Taro to the authorities, why does he stay at her house? Why does he assume someone will come to kill him? Why would Professor Dent assume Bond is still at her house? If anyone has an answer to that, I would be grateful.
***
Overall, Dr. No is one of the finest films in the Bond cannon. It has always had a special place in my heart for making me the fan I am today. 52 years after the fact, I still think that it holds up today, and provides two hours of entertainment for the average guy. Connery really shows he has the stuff to play Bond, and that's what puts it over others in the series.
10/10
I think Bond overheard miss taro, saying that she'd keep Bond there, so he knew
Someone would be along for a visit. , at least that's how I explain it to myself. )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
A little trivia, much of which I'm sure is know by many, but might add a little
Fun to the mix.
The character Sylvia Trench was to be a recurring character, and Lois Maxwell
Was to have played the role.
When Bond saves Honey at the end, she's strapped at an angle ( apparently to be
Drowned ) the scene was to have her covered in crabs ( loads of jokes here ) )
But the crabs died. )
and I only discovered recently that Max von Sydow was offered the role of Dr No.
( although, this might be a movie myth ? )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
All in all, a pretty good introduction to James Bond. It is quite easy to see how one might get enticed into this man's world - he drinks, he smokes, he gambles and, most of all, he has his way with as many women who will willingly go to bed with him.
Note the way Connery plays it when Bond enters M's office; a little bit of trepidation, like a naughty schoolboy being sent to the headmaster's office. For his part, M hardly seems to bear Bond's presence (Being confined to continual deskwork for 8 hours a day can possibly make one jealous, perhaps? ) ).
What I picked up the most from DN is that it is very much a detective story. It is not quite an espionage thriller, or OTT bubble gum adventure, nor is it an action-filled "caper". Its a story-driven film, with a few action sequences mixed in.
What I liked:
-Sean Connery being absolutely cool
-Ursula Andress looking irresistible in THAT bikini; no further words need be said
-Joseph Wiseman, although getting relatively short screen time, makes quite an impression as Dr. No
-Jack Lord looking classy - giving us a taste of things to come in "Hawaii Five-O" several years later
-Eunice Gayson, looking as equally attractive as Ms. Andress
-The unforgettable score
-Good car chase, good production values for its time, and an awesome "dragon" tank
What I didn't like (or felt could have been improved):
-Bond's assignment could have been expanded upon
-Bond had Dent dead to rights - why didn't he just wait to get ALL the information he seeked, BEFORE killing him?
-Re-watching it again, some of the old magic wore off, and I didn't find it as entertaining this time around
*Interesting Anecdote: One of my previous viewings of this film was on August 5, 2012 - the day before the 50th anniversary of the Jamaican Declaration of Independence from Britain. I had no knowledge of this event (or its significance), and would not know about it until later on.
"Well, he certainly left with his tails between his legs."
Just my opinion but I think Bond killed Dent firstly because he tried
To kill Bond in a very cowardly way, ( I'm sure Bond was ticked off
with that ) and because Bond had made up his mind that Dr No was
Guilty.
It's only a little thing but I love the second bullet he gives Dent ( and very
well " sold " by Anthony Dawson ). -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
The PTS idea was Harry Saltzman's -{ and the start of FRWL is very atmospheric and looks great onBluray.
The titles are eyecatching and very stylish, The introduction of Grant is superb, I'm amazed at how Contemporary
the story is, I could see it being filmed today :007) ( No Remakes please ).
A slow build up, a steady burn with many memorable scenes, I love the expressions on Moneypenny's face as she
and M with some top brass listen to Bond's tape of questions. ) To the WTF look on Bond's face when Nash gives
him his business card.
The highlight has to be the confrontation and fight between Bond and Grant. Very well written, with some good lines for both.
You can tell the actors are gining it 100%. This fight is a masterpiece and IMHO has never been bettered, ( The fight in
Goldeneye- Bond v Trevelyan is very good and the Staircase fight from CR comes very close ) It really looks like Two guys
trying to beat the sh1t out of each other! {[] None of the wrist/arm locks from some of the modern movies, just Brutal
violence, Filled with tension. I could easily see Craig filming something like this for Bond today.
The following Boat chase, is a more fun filled affair, with the final twist of the last attack on Bond. ( Which in the book almost
killed Bond ).
The commentary is fascinating and well worth a listen, even to hear how Bond's arrival at the airport is filmed to match Bond's
arrival in Dr No.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Agree completely that Connery is at his coolest here. The parts where Connery is checking for bugs and setting tracking traps is great fun.
Part of the reason you see why this film was so successful and launched the franchise into the historic frenzy it went, is from the exotic locales. Jamaica is used great and is absolutely stunningly filmed. The bits at the jump up club are great with Quarrel, Leiter, and Puss Feller.
Favorite part is Bond playing cards while waiting for Dent to return. Just great espionage stuff.
If you asked someone to imagine a spy thriller from the 60’s, what they would see in their minds eye, would be From Russia With Love. This is it. This is the big one. It’s the king of the hill. The toppermost of the poppermost. From Russia With Love is the epitome and zenith of the Bond franchise. The one that was never eclipsed.
When I saw it for the first time, it was July 2, and the night before Dr. No had dazzled and delighted my eyeholes. I was now a huge Bond fan of exactly 24 hours, and couldn’t wait until 9:00 that night to watch the next one. But, I wasn’t expecting an experience like this. Then again, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I assumed that maybe they were going to build onto the SPECTRE angle, and try to really delve into aspect of the plot. And sure enough, they did and delivered my favourite Bond adventure, From Russia With Love.
***
If you thought Sean couldn’t improve upon his performance from Dr. No, then you were proved wrong by this film. Connery is even better! His acting just flows throughout the movie, how he can transition from the jokey Bond to serious and deadly one is just like a switch. Take for an example the scene where Bond is entering Moneypenny’s office. He says “And for my next miracle….” with a big grin on his face, he then transitions to the down to work one when he discovers M’s in the room as well. It’s little things like that, that have always convinced that Connery is Bond.
Daniela Bianchi looks gorgeous as Tatiana Romanova, and shows us show pretty good acting chops in the process. She convinces me she’s madly in love with James rather easily. Hey, she even has Bond a little fooled as well. Tatiana has always been one of my favorites, especially when her hair is all done up in the train in the blue dress. Whoa! Connery was blessed with some of the best Bond girls, I tell ya.
Kerim Bey is one of the finest allies Bond has ever had, the once circus freak, turned Station T Turkey leader, he really is one of the more enjoyable associates Bond has had. He’s funny, and there is great on-screen chemistry between Connery and Pedro Armendariz that really makes you believe that there friendship is genuine. When Kerim Bey says “James, life just won’t be the same without you,” I believe him.
The score produced by John Barry is so good as well. The music is played at all the right times, especially at a scene like the gypsy camp fight. Although, I've never been crazy about the title song done by Matt Munro, the opening credits are still entertaining, and not one to skip.
I think a lot of Bond aficionados would agree with me on this, a Bond movie can only be a strong as its villain. And when you discuss From Russia With Love, the villains are just superb. Beginning at the PTS, Red Grant gives the essence of someone that could mangle your still beating heart from your chest, and then bite into it. Maybe a little graphic but still, he’s that scary. His calmness too is what sets him apart. When Bond fires aimlessly into the hedges, they zoom in on Grant and he delivers a wry, sadistic smile that sends chills down your spine. It also helps that Grant is humongous. If calmness and ruthlessness was all you had but you were 5 1”. Then I’m not as worried as someone like Grant who is taller and seemingly stronger than Bond, and can take brass knuckles to the abdomen. Ouch!
The smaller cast of villains impress as well. The vile Rosa Klebb played by Lotte Lenya is excellent. Her character just screams…. Soviet, with the great accent and cold-hearted ruthlessness. Kronsteen is one that I also particularly enjoy. A grandmaster at one of my favorite games (chess), he uses his skills of anticipation, tactics, and strategy to devise the evil scheme that SPECTRE will use. Plus, that look Kronsteen gives to the waiter who delivers the water, that slow composed glare, is purely from the eyes of a psychopath, and is great to watch.
Then there’s Blofeld. A stroke of genius it was to not reveal him to the camera, and shoot the scenes from his perspective. The deep, Polish voice is chilling, and makes you wonder even more what the appearance of our main future antagonist is. It’s moves like these that make you think they really knew what they were doing when it came to on screen intensity, and SPECTRE, (until You Only Live Twice that is.)
One of the best things that this film does, it balances the storyline and action sequences perfectly. And really how entertaining are they? The gypsy camp battle is great, as you watch Bond, not particularly engaging with anyone, but floating to fist fight to fist fight either pushing them into the water, or knocking the tent down over them. It really shows the quick think abilities of Bond under the most pressure. (That’s put to the test in the train as well.)
The helicopter fight is great too. Besides the overly similar references to the Hitchcock classic North by Northwest, it’s entertaining, and the close-up of shots of the baddies chucking the grenades always makes me giggle a little. They’ve always looked a bit silly to me. With the boat chase at the end, there really are some overlooked scenes at the end of From Russia With Love, that maybe don’t get the respect they deserve.
If you had to show one scene to show a buddy who had never seen a Bond film, what scene would you show them? I would choose hands down, the train fight. It’s the best fight scene in any of the Bond’s. What makes it so good is the cunning it takes just so that Bond has a chance. We’ve never seen Bond so helpless, in so much trouble. He’s on his knees, and about to be shot by someone that is his mental and physical equal. And there’s almost nothing he can do about it. He got played, fooled.
When Bond brings the case into play we know what’s going to happen and Grant doesn’t. He’s found his ticket out! Bond can’t even believe his luck, when Grant exclaims, “Put your hands back into your pockets.” Bond gives this face which is excellent. He can hardly contain his jubilation. Finally the tear gas cartridge goes off and what ensues is the most brutal fight in the Bond cannon. The window gets smashed, the lights go out, one of them gets thrown onto Romanova. It reaches a critical mass when Grant finally gets him into a full-nelson and begins to choke with the deadly suffocating watch. I’m going to admit it. I yelled at the screen, “USE THE KNIFE IN THE CASE!!!” And surely Bond does it and stabs Grant with that convient dagger. Thanks Q. Then chokes him with his own fancy watch. What a scene! Punctuated by the underrated one-liner, “How’s that, old man!”
After the train fight, the second best scene is the finale with Klebb’s last shot at getting the Lektor. You can see it unfolding before Bond does, and that’s what makes it great. With Bond at the phone saying, “Well, it should be pretty routine from here on in.” To the near end of his life coming seconds later, the drama is just too delicious. Bond getting momentarily double-crossed, Klebb pointing the gun at him ready to fire, Romanova saving his life, the poison-tipped shoe, to the last seconds where Romanova essentially does (eeny-meeny-miny-moe, or however that’s spelled) to decide who to shoot; Bond or Klebb. Just an excellent sequence from beginning to end.
***
Little Things I Love About the Film
The awkwardness of when Morzeny tries to grab Klebb’s elbow when she arrives at SPECTRE island. That’s just too funny haha.
Two Bond films, and two funny looking pairs of glasses. That might be the first pair of Coke bottle glasses that Klebb wears when she’s briefing Romanova.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought that the guy tailing Bond looks like an older, foreign Connery. You can sort of see it in his face, his eyebrows. I’ve always found a resemblance.
How about that faint yelling noise you can hear when in the transition shot of the temple, right before Kerim and his lady-friend are about to go at it. Always thought that was interesting.
When Bond and Kerim Bey are walking down the steps of the underground reservoir, Kerim is telling him the history of it, why it was build and so on. When he finishes the story, all Bond has to say is “Really?” The delivery is what makes it funny.
At the gypsy camp, when Bond is relaying to Kerim about how hospitable the hosts have been to him, the leader replies, “Tank you, Tank you.” In a funny sort of voice. Sometimes I say it in the middle of a conversation, and everyone around me gives we a weird look because no one I’ve ever met gets the joke. I’ll probably never meet someone that will get the reference when I bring it up. But, if I do, and it’s a lady, she’s a keeper.
Me, probably like you, had never really imagined Bond and M traveling abroad with each other before. But when Bond says so, “Once me and M had an interesting experience in Tokyo.” I was intrigued to get the end of that story. Oh well.
***
Little Things I Dislike About the Film
The end scene is kind of cheesy. The way Bond’s hand just kind of flutters up and down when he lets the film go. Weird man.
Why is the original dialogue muted when Grant and Bond first meet. I swear they’re doing their third rendition of Can I Borrow a Match, No I Use a Lighter. And also, most of Morzeny's lines don't seem to much up with his mouth, if his mouth if is moving all.
When Bond enters his hotel room he turns the tap on for a bath. Then it just keeps running. This is an error that has always bugged me a bit.
***
Overall, there is little doubt in my mind that From Russia With Love is the best Bond film. There really isn’t a bad performance to be found, and the villains in particular are just superb. The first film in the SPECTRE miniseries arrives with a bang.
10/10
If you asked someone to imagine a spy thriller from the 60’s, what they would see in their minds eye, would be From Russia With Love. This is it. This is the big one. It’s the king of the hill. The toppermost of the poppermost. From Russia With Love is the epitome and zenith of the Bond franchise. The one that was never eclipsed.
When I saw it for the first time, it was July 2, and the night before Dr. No had dazzled and delighted my eyeholes. I was now a huge Bond fan of exactly 24 hours, and couldn’t wait until 9:00 that night to watch the next one. But, I wasn’t expecting an experience like this. Then again, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I assumed that maybe they were going to build onto the SPECTRE angle, and try to really delve into aspect of the plot. And sure enough, they did and delivered my favourite Bond adventure, From Russia With Love.
***
If you thought Sean couldn’t improve upon his performance from Dr. No, then you were proved wrong by this film. Connery is even better! His acting just flows throughout the movie, how he can transition from the jokey Bond to serious and deadly one is just like a switch. Take for an example the scene where Bond is entering Moneypenny’s office. He says “And for my next miracle….” with a big grin on his face, he then transitions to the down to work one when he discovers M’s in the room as well. It’s little things like that, that have always convinced that Connery is Bond.
Daniela Bianchi looks gorgeous as Tatiana Romanova, and shows us show pretty good acting chops in the process. She convinces me she’s madly in love with James rather easily. Hey, she even has Bond a little fooled as well. Tatiana has always been one of my favorites, especially when her hair is all done up in the train in the blue dress. Whoa! Connery was blessed with some of the best Bond girls, I tell ya.
Kerim Bey is one of the finest allies Bond has ever had, the once circus freak, turned Station T Turkey leader, he really is one of the more enjoyable associates Bond has had. He’s funny, and there is great on-screen chemistry between Connery and Pedro Armendariz that really makes you believe that there friendship is genuine. When Kerim Bey says “James, life just won’t be the same without you,” I believe him.
The score produced by John Barry is so good as well. The music is played at all the right times, especially at a scene like the gypsy camp fight. Although, I've never been crazy about the title song done by Matt Munro, the opening credits are still entertaining, and not one to skip.
I think a lot of Bond aficionados would agree with me on this, a Bond movie can only be a strong as its villain. And when you discuss From Russia With Love, the villains are just superb. Beginning at the PTS, Red Grant gives the essence of someone that could mangle your still beating heart from your chest, and then bite into it. Maybe a little graphic but still, he’s that scary. His calmness too is what sets him apart. When Bond fires aimlessly into the hedges, they zoom in on Grant and he delivers a wry, sadistic smile that sends chills down your spine. It also helps that Grant is humongous. If calmness and ruthlessness was all you had but you were 5 1”. Then I’m not as worried as someone like Grant who is taller and seemingly stronger than Bond, and can take brass knuckles to the abdomen. Ouch!
The smaller cast of villains impress as well. The vile Rosa Klebb played by Lotte Lenya is excellent. Her character just screams…. Soviet, with the great accent and cold-hearted ruthlessness. Kronsteen is one that I also particularly enjoy. A grandmaster at one of my favorite games (chess), he uses his skills of anticipation, tactics, and strategy to devise the evil scheme that SPECTRE will use. Plus, that look Kronsteen gives to the waiter who delivers the water, that slow composed glare, is purely from the eyes of a psychopath, and is great to watch.
Then there’s Blofeld. A stroke of genius it was to not reveal him to the camera, and shoot the scenes from his perspective. The deep, Polish voice is chilling, and makes you wonder even more what the appearance of our main future antagonist is. It’s moves like these that make you think they really knew what they were doing when it came to on screen intensity, and SPECTRE, (until You Only Live Twice that is.)
One of the best things that this film does, it balances the storyline and action sequences perfectly. And really how entertaining are they? The gypsy camp battle is great, as you watch Bond, not particularly engaging with anyone, but floating to fist fight to fist fight either pushing them into the water, or knocking the tent down over them. It really shows the quick think abilities of Bond under the most pressure. (That’s put to the test in the train as well.)
The helicopter fight is great too. Besides the overly similar references to the Hitchcock classic North by Northwest, it’s entertaining, and the close-up of shots of the baddies chucking the grenades always makes me giggle a little. They’ve always looked a bit silly to me. With the boat chase at the end, there really are some overlooked scenes at the end of From Russia With Love, that maybe don’t get the respect they deserve.
If you had to show one scene to show a buddy who had never seen a Bond film, what scene would you show them? I would choose hands down, the train fight. It’s the best fight scene in any of the Bond’s. What makes it so good is the cunning it takes just so that Bond has a chance. We’ve never seen Bond so helpless, in so much trouble. He’s on his knees, and about to be shot by someone that is his mental and physical equal. And there’s almost nothing he can do about it. He got played, fooled.
When Bond brings the case into play we know what’s going to happen and Grant doesn’t. He’s found his ticket out! Bond can’t even believe his luck, when Grant exclaims, “Put your hands back into your pockets.” Bond gives this face which is excellent. He can hardly contain his jubilation. Finally the tear gas cartridge goes off and what ensues is the most brutal fight in the Bond cannon. The window gets smashed, the lights go out, one of them gets thrown onto Romanova. It reaches a critical mass when Grant finally gets him into a full-nelson and begins to choke with the deadly suffocating watch. I’m going to admit it. I yelled at the screen, “USE THE KNIFE IN THE CASE!!!” And surely Bond does it and stabs Grant with that convient dagger. Thanks Q. Then chokes him with his own fancy watch. What a scene! Punctuated by the underrated one-liner, “How’s that, old man!”
After the train fight, the second best scene is the finale with Klebb’s last shot at getting the Lektor. You can see it unfolding before Bond does, and that’s what makes it great. With Bond at the phone saying, “Well, it should be pretty routine from here on in.” To the near end of his life coming seconds later, the drama is just too delicious. Bond getting momentarily double-crossed, Klebb pointing the gun at him ready to fire, Romanova saving his life, the poison-tipped shoe, to the last seconds where Romanova essentially does (eeny-meeny-miny-moe, or however that’s spelled) to decide who to shoot; Bond or Klebb. Just an excellent sequence from beginning to end.
***
Little Things I Love About the Film
The awkwardness of when Morzeny tries to grab Klebb’s elbow when she arrives at SPECTRE island. That’s just too funny haha.
Two Bond films, and two funny looking pairs of glasses. That might be the first pair of Coke bottle glasses that Klebb wears when she’s briefing Romanova.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought that the guy tailing Bond looks like an older, foreign Connery. You can sort of see it in his face, his eyebrows. I’ve always found a resemblance.
How about that faint yelling noise you can hear when in the transition shot of the temple, right before Kerim and his lady-friend are about to go at it. Always thought that was interesting.
When Bond and Kerim Bey are walking down the steps of the underground reservoir, Kerim is telling him the history of it, why it was build and so on. When he finishes the story, all Bond has to say is “Really?” The delivery is what makes it funny.
At the gypsy camp, when Bond is relaying to Kerim about how hospitable the hosts have been to him, the leader replies, “Tank you, Tank you.” In a funny sort of voice. Sometimes I say it in the middle of a conversation, and everyone around me gives we a weird look because no one I’ve ever met gets the joke. I’ll probably never meet someone that will get the reference when I bring it up. But, if I do, and it’s a lady, she’s a keeper.
Me, probably like you, had never really imagined Bond and M traveling abroad with each other before. But when Bond says so, “Once me and M had an interesting experience in Tokyo.” I was intrigued to get the end of that story. Oh well.
***
Little Things I Dislike About the Film
The end scene is kind of cheesy. The way Bond’s hand just kind of flutters up and down when he lets the film go. Weird man.
Why is the original dialogue muted when Grant and Bond first meet. I swear they’re doing their third rendition of Can I Borrow a Match, No I Use a Lighter. And also, most of Morzeny's lines don't seem to much up with his mouth, if his mouth if is moving all.
When Bond enters his hotel room he turns the tap on for a bath. Then it just keeps running. This is an error that has always bugged me a bit.
***
Overall, there is little doubt in my mind that From Russia With Love is the best Bond film. There really isn’t a bad performance to be found, and the villains in particular are just superb. The first film in the SPECTRE miniseries arrives with a bang.
10/10
Excellent review of an outstanding Bond film. Well done! -{
"Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,912Chief of Staff
Little Things I Dislike About the Film
The end scene is kind of cheesy. The way Bond’s hand just kind of flutters up and down when he lets the film go. Weird man.
He's waving goodbye to the canister of film he's just thrown in the water.
Why is the original dialogue muted when Grant and Bond first meet. I swear they’re doing their third rendition of Can I Borrow a Match, No I Use a Lighter.
They are using that coded greeting and by not hearing Grant's voice yet it's just another way to ramp up the tension....
Comments
Are you out of your mind?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
People have such faith in me !
But you can still notice the better quality of bluray. -{
So any time in July please feel free to give any opinions/views on the film/ content of DVD or Bluray.
Including any special features or commentaries, as I'm sure not all of us have watched every single
extra feature ( Although I'm certain some have
hidden in the depths of the menus.
I was wondering if anyone has a 3D Tv, which can give a 3D effect on non 3D movies, as to what they
think, does it add anything to any scene in the series ?
Do they even exist?
On the TV shopping channels, and they can give a " Faux" or interpretation
Of a 3d effect on normal 2d films etc.
I'd say it's more a gimmick, but just in case someone has tried it.
So whats the score on 4K? I have seen the TVs are now being heavily advertised and available but does any media exist for this super duper resolution format?
New cameras ( panasonic fz1000) shoots 4k video. Cinemas show films
In basically 2k
Before I change
Wonder if we will hit the peak with 4K or it will continue - surely we must be close to the point where its impossible to see improvements. I mean on a really great blu-ray transfer the picture is stunning, e.g. can see the pores on peoples faces etc (maybe thats not a good thing!!)
Resolution in 4k, that the Hunan eye can't " take it all in ", so they
Will continue to improve but we won't see the benefit.
Time to buy some more HDDs
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Cant see 4K films being downloaded or streamed for a while then
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Dr No and FRWL, to review the films or comment on the special features etc
And to give any views on the transfer to bluray, if you think it's good or any
Oddities you might have noticed.
As the films are so well known, I don't think spoilers will be an issue.
I might be wrong here but I think most of it is Bond saying
Thank-you etc, or Frauline Bunt telling guards to keep an eye
On Bond. That sort of thing.
is the soundtrack, The score is so 50's Thriller, thank God they got J Barry to give Bond his sound. -{
The opening titles are good and very eyecatching, The film starts with a Bang the Killing of Strangways and his
seceratry ( I'd say it was pretty brutal for 1962 ), Bond and is life style are very well introduced. Showing he's
still up gambeling at 3am ( which might be a refrence to the opening line from Casino Royale " The scent and
smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. " ) Although I do think the guy sitting next
to Bond, Looks like a chubby Ed Miliband.
Looks a little odd these days after all the high Tec offices, and buildings of the modern Bonds, to see that MI6
as Universal Exports, share a floor with a Dentist and a Solicitor.
Loved the little bit of "Trade craft" showing Bond setting a few traps to see if anyone has been in to search his room.
The sets are also fantastic the use of Copper with the rough stone face, is a beautiful colour combination, the set
where Dent is given the spider is so simple yet so effective and creepy ( very comic book ).
Ursula Andress, never looked better :x and you can clearly see Connery's tattoo on his arm
some of the attitude of Bond ( From the novels ) when HE starts giving orders to his captors.
I haven't actually sat down and watched Dr No in ages, so this was a real treat. The film has a great Nostalgic feel
as it shows the world as it was when Fleming was writing the books and it's funny to see how much they got right
from the start, even the humour is there. All in all Dr No is a fine Start for the Bond series.
The Making of documentary is as always interesting and informative. -{
Now to catch up with From Russia with Love. {[]
P.S. Funny to see how you noticed some of the stranger creatures at the casino as well
Dr. No
One of the first things that ever really leapt out to me about this film is Sean Connery's performance, and how he plays the role of Bond. From the get-go in the casino, you are looking at a self-confident, suave, quick-witted, and womanizing force on the screen which is hard not to enjoy. He immediately gave off the impression that he can be a very dangerous man when needed. He also looks very fit as well, which allows you to think that he can give anyone who wants it, a scrap. He shows us later on by manhandling the clearly weaker chauffeur (Mr. Jones) who took him to the airport. Even at the end of the film when Bond and Dr. No are shoving on the tiniest of enclosures, I had little doubt that Bond could lose because of what we see saw and an hour earlier. Plus, Dr. No without any hands, was in tough anyway.
Not only did Connery turn in a quality performance, but he was a given a good script for him to work with. He has enough punny one-liners and solid dialogue (dinner with Dr. No), to really show off a Bond as a character that you can really enjoy and root for on the screen.
Ursula Andress' portrayal is one of my favorites in the series. I have always loved, loved, loved Honey. She's stunning, the beautiful blonde hair, the tan body, and gorgeous legs. Whoa! Every time I watch I can't what to see her emerge onto the beach. Ursula plays Honey with a certain sense of naivety or vulnerability that I think helps the character. Honey walks into quite a predicament, and is understandably scared. In the Bond cannon, the Bond girl very rarely just pops up right out of the blue and had no choice but to continue into a dangerous mission. That's what gives Honey a bit uniqueness, and she sets the bar high for her fellow female counterparts to follow.
The plot of the movie is easy enough to follow, and is quite enjoyable. The writers did a good job of using a matter that was quite relevant at that time and it really isn't that difficult to envision.
Dr. No's mystery, is what builds him up to be a great villain. The control he has of Professor Dent, Mr. Jones, and the airport photographer is very interesting and lets your mind fill in the blanks. What does he look like, and what allows him to control and manipulate as well as he does? That's whats I've really come to enjoy about his character. We find out later that he is very cerebral and is well thought out. And when you do get a chance to see him, that eerie music plays, and you soon find out hie much of a maniac he really is.
Bond's two main allies in the picture, are Felix Leiter, and Quarrel the local fisherman. Quarrel is a real fun character and adds a realistic perspective to the film which is greatly appreciated. What gets almost lost about him is, he is only there because he was hired to be there. Quarrel's death is solely the fault of Bond and Leiter, because he had no dog in the fight. He basically foreshadows his doom, by saying how much he was unwilling to go to Crab Key because of the mystery of Dr. No and the dragon. Quarrel is unique because he really is an ally by hire, and not an ally with a government or agenda. With that being said; John Kitzmiller, Connery, and Jack Lord play off of each other well, especially in the nightclub. Every time I watch, I never get sick of Quarrel and Leiter.
For a low budget film, the brains behind the film did a good job of creating action, drama, and suspense in clever ways. The tarantula is a great example. Bond is at the mercy of this spider and there is little he can do to stop it. With that in mind, the staredown between Quarrel and Bond after they first and both begin walking to the bar is intriguing because of how it is directed. There is just an edge to it (excluding the subtle drop of Underneath the Mango Tree). Even Bond's escape from his cell is so interesting because you aren't sure what's going to happen. What could be hiding in that tunnel?
Ken Adam's sets is something that all Bond fans have come to enjoy over the years, and it all started here. I really like M's office as sort of the typical drab and very serious place where all of Britain's secrets are held. Dr. No's buildings are visually stunning as well, the control room is fantastic, plus the dining room are sophisticated and shown off well. But my favorite is the white room where Dent receives the spider. The dome, with a grid for a ceiling just feels sadistic, and the intensity of that scene alone is built up by the eerie room and it's white walls.
***
Little Things I've Grown to Love
The opening is fantastic, I don't get sick of seeing the flashing lights and Jamaican dancers, and there are no complaints about the Bond theme, that's for sure. Plus, the music playing in the tarantula scenes and when Dr. No is first introduced are both immaculate.
When Bond is in the casino playing chemin de fer, there are few weird looking characters st the card table. When Bond receives the card for him to leave, the guy to his right gives him the weirdest glance. Also the man to the right of Sylvia Trench looks like a British Bob Newhart, and when the camera pans out, you can see a lady with these thick sunglasses on at the table next to him. It's like she's trying to be like Phil Hellmuth or a modern poker player...
On the topic of sunglasses, Leiter's glasses could be the most unintentionally hilarious moment of the film. The last time I saw a pair like those, they were resting on the face of an eighty year-old woman.
A point that proves that Connery is just great in this film is this one. While phoning Playdell-Smith at the airport payphone, he discovers that the chauffeur there is really a baddie. As he's about to hang up, Bond says, "Forgive me if I'm a few minutes late." Then delivers the deadliest glare I've seen in a Bond flick. If looks could kill, the chauffeur, all three blind beggars, Miss Taro, and Dr. No all would have perished. It's so scary. That is the official, "You just screwed with the wrong British secret service agent."
While in the nightclub, the great tune "Jump Up" is played all danced to by all the people. If you look close enough, just as Pus-feller is about to arrive at Bond's table there is some guy that looks hilarious as he shakes his face and all muscles as much as he possibly can.
Bond again ascerts his will on others by the way he rather poshly asks for the slip of paper back from Professor Dent at Dent's office. The icyness of the whole conversation is great anyway, but the way James says, "Ohhh Professor, allow me" and snatches back that bill is excellent.
Again, Bond seems like he is really in control of each situation he's in, even when there is no he is.
When originally captured by Dr. No, Honey and James are both being hosed off from the radiation they received on the island, Bond is still handcuffed. The way he orders himself to be uncuffed is hilarious, he basically just points and says "You, How bout we do something about this first" and gets his wish.
Staying in that scene, I swore for a long time there was a slip by the censors when Honey receives her towel from the baddies. The way the camera is angled, it looks like if you just could maybe make out a nipple or something.... but alas try as I might, (and I did), I was never able to see anything out of the ordinary. It wasn't until recently that I found out she's wearing a skin-coloured bathing suit. Oh well...
While Dr. No and Bond are conversing over dinner, Bond conjures the line, "World domination, same old dream." What an amazing line, considering this is only the first Bond picture and 50 years of world domination attempts still haven't been tried.
***
Little Things I Dislike
Bond and Honey are talking while Quarrel's taking first watch for the dragon. Honey talks about how her father was killed, she was raped, and how she killed her rapist, and Bond looks so completely uninterested. Then at the end, gives a look like, "What the hell kind of woman did I just get to know." I wonder if Sean was told to play it that way, or decided himself to it that way. It just has always irked me.
For a seemingly smart villain, and intelligent manipulator of people, Dr. No makes some really really dumb choices. This is a man that seems to have the means to do whatever he needs to eliminate those in his way and he chooses, a one-off assassination attempt from long range (a scene that I always forget about because it's just awful), and the slight chance that if you put a spider in Bind's room it will kill him. That one is destroyed by basic common sense. Aren't there so many more effective ways that could be tied to eliminate him? The fact it takes two ridiculous attempts to realize that you know somebody to actually hunt him down and shoot him, shouldn't happen for a smart guy like Dr. No. Also he gives Bond an escape route from his cell. It's almost like he asked to be killed. (Answered now, thanks Barbel)
After Bond delivers Miss Taro to the authorities, why does he stay at her house? Why does he assume someone will come to kill him? Why would Professor Dent assume Bond is still at her house? If anyone has an answer to that, I would be grateful.
***
Overall, Dr. No is one of the finest films in the Bond cannon. It has always had a special place in my heart for making me the fan I am today. 52 years after the fact, I still think that it holds up today, and provides two hours of entertainment for the average guy. Connery really shows he has the stuff to play Bond, and that's what puts it over others in the series.
10/10
Someone would be along for a visit.
Fun to the mix.
The character Sylvia Trench was to be a recurring character, and Lois Maxwell
Was to have played the role.
When Bond saves Honey at the end, she's strapped at an angle ( apparently to be
Drowned ) the scene was to have her covered in crabs ( loads of jokes here
But the crabs died.
and I only discovered recently that Max von Sydow was offered the role of Dr No.
( although, this might be a movie myth ? )
All in all, a pretty good introduction to James Bond. It is quite easy to see how one might get enticed into this man's world - he drinks, he smokes, he gambles and, most of all, he has his way with as many women who will willingly go to bed with him.
Note the way Connery plays it when Bond enters M's office; a little bit of trepidation, like a naughty schoolboy being sent to the headmaster's office. For his part, M hardly seems to bear Bond's presence (Being confined to continual deskwork for 8 hours a day can possibly make one jealous, perhaps?
What I picked up the most from DN is that it is very much a detective story. It is not quite an espionage thriller, or OTT bubble gum adventure, nor is it an action-filled "caper". Its a story-driven film, with a few action sequences mixed in.
What I liked:
-Sean Connery being absolutely cool
-Ursula Andress looking irresistible in THAT bikini; no further words need be said
-Joseph Wiseman, although getting relatively short screen time, makes quite an impression as Dr. No
-Jack Lord looking classy - giving us a taste of things to come in "Hawaii Five-O" several years later
-Eunice Gayson, looking as equally attractive as Ms. Andress
-The unforgettable score
-Good car chase, good production values for its time, and an awesome "dragon" tank
What I didn't like (or felt could have been improved):
-Bond's assignment could have been expanded upon
-Bond had Dent dead to rights - why didn't he just wait to get ALL the information he seeked, BEFORE killing him?
-Re-watching it again, some of the old magic wore off, and I didn't find it as entertaining this time around
*Interesting Anecdote: One of my previous viewings of this film was on August 5, 2012 - the day before the 50th anniversary of the Jamaican Declaration of Independence from Britain. I had no knowledge of this event (or its significance), and would not know about it until later on.
To kill Bond in a very cowardly way, ( I'm sure Bond was ticked off
with that ) and because Bond had made up his mind that Dr No was
Guilty.
It's only a little thing but I love the second bullet he gives Dent ( and very
well " sold " by Anthony Dawson ). -{
The PTS idea was Harry Saltzman's -{ and the start of FRWL is very atmospheric and looks great onBluray.
The titles are eyecatching and very stylish, The introduction of Grant is superb, I'm amazed at how Contemporary
the story is, I could see it being filmed today :007) ( No Remakes please ).
A slow build up, a steady burn with many memorable scenes, I love the expressions on Moneypenny's face as she
and M with some top brass listen to Bond's tape of questions.
him his business card.
The highlight has to be the confrontation and fight between Bond and Grant. Very well written, with some good lines for both.
You can tell the actors are gining it 100%. This fight is a masterpiece and IMHO has never been bettered, ( The fight in
Goldeneye- Bond v Trevelyan is very good and the Staircase fight from CR comes very close ) It really looks like Two guys
trying to beat the sh1t out of each other! {[] None of the wrist/arm locks from some of the modern movies, just Brutal
violence, Filled with tension. I could easily see Craig filming something like this for Bond today.
The following Boat chase, is a more fun filled affair, with the final twist of the last attack on Bond. ( Which in the book almost
killed Bond ).
The commentary is fascinating and well worth a listen, even to hear how Bond's arrival at the airport is filmed to match Bond's
arrival in Dr No.
Part of the reason you see why this film was so successful and launched the franchise into the historic frenzy it went, is from the exotic locales. Jamaica is used great and is absolutely stunningly filmed. The bits at the jump up club are great with Quarrel, Leiter, and Puss Feller.
Favorite part is Bond playing cards while waiting for Dent to return. Just great espionage stuff.
If you asked someone to imagine a spy thriller from the 60’s, what they would see in their minds eye, would be From Russia With Love. This is it. This is the big one. It’s the king of the hill. The toppermost of the poppermost. From Russia With Love is the epitome and zenith of the Bond franchise. The one that was never eclipsed.
When I saw it for the first time, it was July 2, and the night before Dr. No had dazzled and delighted my eyeholes. I was now a huge Bond fan of exactly 24 hours, and couldn’t wait until 9:00 that night to watch the next one. But, I wasn’t expecting an experience like this. Then again, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I assumed that maybe they were going to build onto the SPECTRE angle, and try to really delve into aspect of the plot. And sure enough, they did and delivered my favourite Bond adventure, From Russia With Love.
***
If you thought Sean couldn’t improve upon his performance from Dr. No, then you were proved wrong by this film. Connery is even better! His acting just flows throughout the movie, how he can transition from the jokey Bond to serious and deadly one is just like a switch. Take for an example the scene where Bond is entering Moneypenny’s office. He says “And for my next miracle….” with a big grin on his face, he then transitions to the down to work one when he discovers M’s in the room as well. It’s little things like that, that have always convinced that Connery is Bond.
Daniela Bianchi looks gorgeous as Tatiana Romanova, and shows us show pretty good acting chops in the process. She convinces me she’s madly in love with James rather easily. Hey, she even has Bond a little fooled as well. Tatiana has always been one of my favorites, especially when her hair is all done up in the train in the blue dress. Whoa! Connery was blessed with some of the best Bond girls, I tell ya.
Kerim Bey is one of the finest allies Bond has ever had, the once circus freak, turned Station T Turkey leader, he really is one of the more enjoyable associates Bond has had. He’s funny, and there is great on-screen chemistry between Connery and Pedro Armendariz that really makes you believe that there friendship is genuine. When Kerim Bey says “James, life just won’t be the same without you,” I believe him.
The score produced by John Barry is so good as well. The music is played at all the right times, especially at a scene like the gypsy camp fight. Although, I've never been crazy about the title song done by Matt Munro, the opening credits are still entertaining, and not one to skip.
I think a lot of Bond aficionados would agree with me on this, a Bond movie can only be a strong as its villain. And when you discuss From Russia With Love, the villains are just superb. Beginning at the PTS, Red Grant gives the essence of someone that could mangle your still beating heart from your chest, and then bite into it. Maybe a little graphic but still, he’s that scary. His calmness too is what sets him apart. When Bond fires aimlessly into the hedges, they zoom in on Grant and he delivers a wry, sadistic smile that sends chills down your spine. It also helps that Grant is humongous. If calmness and ruthlessness was all you had but you were 5 1”. Then I’m not as worried as someone like Grant who is taller and seemingly stronger than Bond, and can take brass knuckles to the abdomen. Ouch!
The smaller cast of villains impress as well. The vile Rosa Klebb played by Lotte Lenya is excellent. Her character just screams…. Soviet, with the great accent and cold-hearted ruthlessness. Kronsteen is one that I also particularly enjoy. A grandmaster at one of my favorite games (chess), he uses his skills of anticipation, tactics, and strategy to devise the evil scheme that SPECTRE will use. Plus, that look Kronsteen gives to the waiter who delivers the water, that slow composed glare, is purely from the eyes of a psychopath, and is great to watch.
Then there’s Blofeld. A stroke of genius it was to not reveal him to the camera, and shoot the scenes from his perspective. The deep, Polish voice is chilling, and makes you wonder even more what the appearance of our main future antagonist is. It’s moves like these that make you think they really knew what they were doing when it came to on screen intensity, and SPECTRE, (until You Only Live Twice that is.)
One of the best things that this film does, it balances the storyline and action sequences perfectly. And really how entertaining are they? The gypsy camp battle is great, as you watch Bond, not particularly engaging with anyone, but floating to fist fight to fist fight either pushing them into the water, or knocking the tent down over them. It really shows the quick think abilities of Bond under the most pressure. (That’s put to the test in the train as well.)
The helicopter fight is great too. Besides the overly similar references to the Hitchcock classic North by Northwest, it’s entertaining, and the close-up of shots of the baddies chucking the grenades always makes me giggle a little. They’ve always looked a bit silly to me. With the boat chase at the end, there really are some overlooked scenes at the end of From Russia With Love, that maybe don’t get the respect they deserve.
If you had to show one scene to show a buddy who had never seen a Bond film, what scene would you show them? I would choose hands down, the train fight. It’s the best fight scene in any of the Bond’s. What makes it so good is the cunning it takes just so that Bond has a chance. We’ve never seen Bond so helpless, in so much trouble. He’s on his knees, and about to be shot by someone that is his mental and physical equal. And there’s almost nothing he can do about it. He got played, fooled.
When Bond brings the case into play we know what’s going to happen and Grant doesn’t. He’s found his ticket out! Bond can’t even believe his luck, when Grant exclaims, “Put your hands back into your pockets.” Bond gives this face which is excellent. He can hardly contain his jubilation. Finally the tear gas cartridge goes off and what ensues is the most brutal fight in the Bond cannon. The window gets smashed, the lights go out, one of them gets thrown onto Romanova. It reaches a critical mass when Grant finally gets him into a full-nelson and begins to choke with the deadly suffocating watch. I’m going to admit it. I yelled at the screen, “USE THE KNIFE IN THE CASE!!!” And surely Bond does it and stabs Grant with that convient dagger. Thanks Q. Then chokes him with his own fancy watch. What a scene! Punctuated by the underrated one-liner, “How’s that, old man!”
After the train fight, the second best scene is the finale with Klebb’s last shot at getting the Lektor. You can see it unfolding before Bond does, and that’s what makes it great. With Bond at the phone saying, “Well, it should be pretty routine from here on in.” To the near end of his life coming seconds later, the drama is just too delicious. Bond getting momentarily double-crossed, Klebb pointing the gun at him ready to fire, Romanova saving his life, the poison-tipped shoe, to the last seconds where Romanova essentially does (eeny-meeny-miny-moe, or however that’s spelled) to decide who to shoot; Bond or Klebb. Just an excellent sequence from beginning to end.
***
Little Things I Love About the Film
The awkwardness of when Morzeny tries to grab Klebb’s elbow when she arrives at SPECTRE island. That’s just too funny haha.
Two Bond films, and two funny looking pairs of glasses. That might be the first pair of Coke bottle glasses that Klebb wears when she’s briefing Romanova.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought that the guy tailing Bond looks like an older, foreign Connery. You can sort of see it in his face, his eyebrows. I’ve always found a resemblance.
How about that faint yelling noise you can hear when in the transition shot of the temple, right before Kerim and his lady-friend are about to go at it. Always thought that was interesting.
When Bond and Kerim Bey are walking down the steps of the underground reservoir, Kerim is telling him the history of it, why it was build and so on. When he finishes the story, all Bond has to say is “Really?” The delivery is what makes it funny.
At the gypsy camp, when Bond is relaying to Kerim about how hospitable the hosts have been to him, the leader replies, “Tank you, Tank you.” In a funny sort of voice. Sometimes I say it in the middle of a conversation, and everyone around me gives we a weird look because no one I’ve ever met gets the joke. I’ll probably never meet someone that will get the reference when I bring it up. But, if I do, and it’s a lady, she’s a keeper.
Me, probably like you, had never really imagined Bond and M traveling abroad with each other before. But when Bond says so, “Once me and M had an interesting experience in Tokyo.” I was intrigued to get the end of that story. Oh well.
***
Little Things I Dislike About the Film
The end scene is kind of cheesy. The way Bond’s hand just kind of flutters up and down when he lets the film go. Weird man.
Why is the original dialogue muted when Grant and Bond first meet. I swear they’re doing their third rendition of Can I Borrow a Match, No I Use a Lighter. And also, most of Morzeny's lines don't seem to much up with his mouth, if his mouth if is moving all.
When Bond enters his hotel room he turns the tap on for a bath. Then it just keeps running. This is an error that has always bugged me a bit.
***
Overall, there is little doubt in my mind that From Russia With Love is the best Bond film. There really isn’t a bad performance to be found, and the villains in particular are just superb. The first film in the SPECTRE miniseries arrives with a bang.
10/10
Excellent review of an outstanding Bond film. Well done! -{
He's waving goodbye to the canister of film he's just thrown in the water.
They are using that coded greeting and by not hearing Grant's voice yet it's just another way to ramp up the tension....
Great review though -{