From Russia With Love (PG)

Film

Action and adventure

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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Time Out says

Tue Apr 21 2009

Despite being recognised as one of the better 007 films (and one laudably devoid of what would later become the formulaic Bond ending), number two in the series actually proves marginally less memorable than many of the others. Maybe we’ve become too accustomed to the big finales, the fast cars, the gadgets, the striking locations and the caricature villains – the very tics that have defined every Bond film over the years. For this fan, the most evocative moment turns out to be Matt Monroe’s honeyed larynx over the closing-credits sequence. The elaborate spy-caper story boils down to Connery’s MI6 agent getting embroiled in an Istanbul-set plot to steal a decoding device from the Russians. Lotte Lenya’s leery lesbian, Robert Shaw’s Aryan-esque assassin and Daniela Bianchi’s ditzy double agent are gratifying side shows but the film lacks the exotic, colourful flamboyance of the best of its successors. So shoot me.

Author: Derek Adams

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Release details

Rated:

PG

UK release:

Fri Apr 24 2009

Duration:

116 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Terence Young

Cast:

Bernard Lee, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya, Pedro Armendariz, Daniela Bianchi, Sean Connery, Eunice Gayson

Music:

John Barry

Art Director:

Syd Cain

Editor:

Peter Hunt

Cinematography:

Ted Moore

Screenwriter:

Johanna Harwood, Richard Maibaum

Producer:

Albert R Broccoli, Harry Saltzman

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (4 ratings)

  • Finally, someone had the balls to say it. Bond movies shouldn't be second-rate North by Northwest rip-offs.

    Taylor S Tue Sep 7 2010
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • I would indeed like to shoot Derek Adams,as this is the only Bond film i would ever care to watch again! Its got the greatest Bond pre credits sequence,the greatest fight scene(as Technoguy pointed out),Robert Shaw & a genuinely solid supporting cast(i didn`t find anything ditzy about Daniela Bianchi! She was great!). If you only get time to watch one Bond movie in your lifetime,ignore DA`s review & make it From Russia With Love!!!

    E A Dobson Sat Jan 2 2010
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • The reviewer is a daft fellow who has had a bit of a Brosnan overdose. Clearly he is not familiar with Ian Fleming's Bond.

    Bey Sun May 10 2009
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  • This is by far the best Bond film. Connery is at his best, the film is not swamped in bad SFX and the storyline is refreshingly credible. While I like the campy Roger Moore films and the more modern action-packed films, nothing beats From Russia With Love. It is cool. The Time Out reviewer is a muppet!

    Marsellus Tue Apr 21 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • The best ever Bond film.The greatest fight scene ever with Shaw's blond assassin on the train.The Russian Kleb with the knife in her shoe.The scenes in Turkey and Venice.Connery at his peak.The series should have ended when Connery left.The heroine was a real woman and was so charming.

    Technoguy Tue Aug 12 2008
    Rated as: 5/5
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