From Russia with Love is a very ‘real’ feeling movie. This Bond is not the "laugh in the face of danger" superspy we are used to; he makes mistakes, he loses at times, but he never gives up. Instead of relying on gadgets (although there are a few) he relies on his intuition, skills, and intelligence. The story is interesting and fast-paced, From Russia with Love is a great movie and one of the best in the Bond series. I really enjoyed the fact that the plot device of the Lektor cryptograph was a real idea that had great impact in its day as opposed to space stations and pinpoint lasers that future stories employed.
Connery, as described, is perfect as Bond. His cool confidence, rugged build, and sheer force of will make us believe he is the iconic superspy and we want to see him tackle each situation. One of the things that is a hallmark of the character is Bond’s appetite for women; Connery is the embodiment of the Alpha male in this role, with throaty responses and suave confidence he makes Bond all you believe he is.
The Video
I was incredibly surprised when I started From Russia with Love on Blu-ray. Having been filmed in 1963, I was expecting washed-out, overly saturated colors, and poor black levels, but this transfer is amazing.
Presented in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio in 1080p encoded as AVC MPEG-4 this film was revitalized using the Lowry Restoration Process. I am not sure what wizards were involved in restoring this film, but they did an amazing job.
It is not perfect, of course, some of the colors seem off and there is the odd washed-out scene, but by and large this movie looks amazing and could compete with modern films visually. Part of it is due to the environments of the film, the careful shooting and lighting techniques, but the movie pops on screen with deep blacks, generally vibrant colors, and a clean look. Detail levels are extraordinary as well; textures on clothing and buildings stand out and add to feel of this film.
Article comments
1 - Arlo J. Wiley
I am not generally a fan of James Bond, but I've always loved From Russia with Love. An excellent spy flick.