From Russia with Love (1963)

From Russia with Love
Directed by Terence Young
Written by Richard Malbaum; adapted by Johanna Harwood from a novel by Ian Fleming
1963/UK
Eon Productions
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime

[box] James Bond: So, you’re Tatiana Romanova.

Tatiana: My friends call me Tania.

James Bond: Mine call me James Bond.[/box]

My favorite Bond ever is back in another action-packed romp.

Ernst Blofeld is also back as the head of the international terrorist organization SPECTRE. He has lured Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) from the KGB to steal a Soviet encryption device. This involves an elaborate double cross that will draw James Bond into a plot to steal the device for MI-5.  The bait is unwitting and beautiful Soviet agent Tatiana Romanova who will seduce Bond for her country.  Bond is wise to the Soviet-angle but plays along.

The rest of the story involves lots of humor, sex, and gun-play culminating with Bond’s stand-off against SPECTRE henchman Grant (Robert Shaw).

This sophomore effort is no slump but solidifies the franchise’s formula of wit, sex, and violence.  If Zatoichi is a popcorn series, order a double serving for Bond!

Trailer