From Russia With Love (1963)

Directed by Terence Young
Starring Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Pedro Armendariz, Robert Shaw.

From Russia With Love is only the second film in the James Bond series, coming a year after Dr No. But already the classic formula was there before it became tired and repetitive. The film has an international thrilling premise that few Bond films have matched since, and effectively builds on the atmosphere of the time, at the height of the Cold War.

As such, it is a cracking Cold War thriller as well as ticking the boxes for a classic Bond movie. Exotic locale (Turkey and the Orient Express) - check. Gadgets (a non too subtle briefcase) - check. A silent henchman of an evil organisation - check. The greatness of the film is in its balance of the outrageous Bond hallmarks and the low-key subtlety of any great spy thriller.

The direction, by Terence Young (who also oversaw Dr No and Thunderball) is possibly the best in the series, keeping the pace of the film short and snappy, with only brief hints of the drama. This is complemented by Connery's role, perfected after his relatively clipped, impassive performance of Dr No. His Bond shows brief moments of comedy and suavity but is lethal in others - his callous attitude after he murders Red Grant (Shaw), the burst of emotion kept in check by the British stiff upper lip after the death of his friend, Kerim Bey (Armendariz). His Bond gives the impression of a man who would kill without hesitation, and those who think the franchise was founded on slapstick comedy, overblown gadgets and Bond's effortless charm are greatly mistaken. He was the cold, silent assassin forty years before Daniel Craig.

Connery is assisted by a shining supporting cast, particularly Robert Shaw. Shaw, who would go on to worldwide fame as the half-mad Quint in Jaws, is a believeable opponent for Bond as Red Grant, a Russian spy who could easily be stated as Bond's equal. He is similarly professional and detached, but without Bond's glint of humour and sophistication. The entire opening sequence is built to enhance his reputation as a killer who could conceivably beat 007 himself. Pedro Armendariz, meanwhile, is one of Bond's most memorable allies as the friendly, welcoming Kerim Bey. It is remarkable and saddening to think that this charismatic performance is overshadowed by the fact that the actor himself was suffering from cancer during filming - this in turn makes his performance all the more impressive.

Not much more to say about this film - I feel the rating speaks for itself. It is one of the few thrillers that has genuinely found a balance between action and espionage, with one of the most wonderfully staged fight scenes in the entire series (the famous battle between Bond and Grant on the train). It also contains a surprisingly human portrayal of Bond with a subtle performance by Connery, before he changed into the all-invincible superhero he would become in future films. If only all the Bond movies had been this good.

Rating: 9/10.