From Russia With Love (1963)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Alexander D

  
  In comparison to the first film (DR. NO), this second 007 film was a huge jump. In fact, as I was watching DR. NO, I kept wondering if it was every going to get more interesting, as well as why Albert R. Broccoli decided to continue the series (and why a surprising number of… More
  In comparison to the first film (DR. NO), this second 007 film was a huge jump. In fact, as I was watching DR. NO, I kept wondering if it was every going to get more interesting, as well as why Albert R. Broccoli decided to continue the series (and why a surprising number of audiences went to see it) when the suspense seemed like that of a 1940s film and every gunshot sounded like an audible skin puncturing. I thought FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE was going to be just about the same, maybe with a year's worth of improvement. It wasn't. It was very thrilling, very well-produced (though not very well-acted, in my opinion, because of Connery), and by the end, I had decided it was one of the best Bond films.

• Lewis C

  
  From Russia with Love is old school Bond fun. Villains carefully explaining their future plans instead of killing Bond while they can, and subsequently allowing him to escape and foil their plots? Check! Hot women, both friend and foe, ready to leap into bed with the super spy?… More
  From Russia with Love is old school Bond fun. Villains carefully explaining their future plans instead of killing Bond while they can, and subsequently allowing him to escape and foil their plots? Check! Hot women, both friend and foe, ready to leap into bed with the super spy? Check! Tricky gadgetry that just happens to be exactly what's needed to get out of a life or death situation? Check! Globe trotting adventures to thwart shadowy organizations and sinister villains? Check! From Russia with Love is a fun, solid Bond movie. The action and fight scenes are entertaining (grenades and helicopters don't mix well, apparently). Daniela Bianchi is a sexy Bond Girl, though her role is basically just plot device/eye candy, as opposed to some of the other women who have had bigger roles in the story and action of their respective Bond films. And those gypsy girls...well, I wouldn't have minded if the entire movie would have been about them. Anyway, good villains, gritty fights, the introduction of many of the trademarks of the series, and Connery in his groove, all make this a Bond film that any fan will enjoy.

• Ross C

  
  A rare Bond film that has lots of action without ever getting too silly.

• AJ V

  
  I liked this Bond movie a bit better than the first, it's a little less confusing story wise, but I'm still not a big fan of the series.

• Mike S

  
  There's something quite special about movies from the 1960's. Especially the James Bond ones, which are always a delight to the eyes. Even if they aren't as exciting action-wise as today's 007 features, they do offer something that's always worth returning to:… More
  There's something quite special about movies from the 1960's. Especially the James Bond ones, which are always a delight to the eyes. Even if they aren't as exciting action-wise as today's 007 features, they do offer something that's always worth returning to: namely stunning cinematography and sophisticated directing. It's quite a rare thing these days, as most contemporary film-makers just wanna cram in as much action as possible, and find it immensely difficult to keep their cameras steady. As if audiences today have such a low attention-span, that we can't enjoy a movie unless there's a thousand things going on at once. That's why it's so nice to have films like this to escape to. Because altough it may not be a favourite of mine in the Bond series, at least it doesn't insult my intelligence. So if you should ever feel the need for a break from 21th century Hollywood, this sure makes for a good alternative. No shaky cams, no cheesy dialogue. Just pure old-fashioned A-grade entertainment.

• Jeff "

  
  Another phenomenal Bond film, the second in the series is just as good as the first one. But with the added fact that the budget is bigger and the story is even bigger. From Russia With Love is an even more exhilarating film than Dr No. In this film the audience is introduced to an… More
  Another phenomenal Bond film, the second in the series is just as good as the first one. But with the added fact that the budget is bigger and the story is even bigger. From Russia With Love is an even more exhilarating film than Dr No. In this film the audience is introduced to an unforgettable Bond Villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld., one of the best and greatest of all Bond villains. From Russian With Love also has some memorable villains besides Blofeld, Red Grant and Rosa Klebb (who actually "killed" James Bond at the end of the book version) With every Bond film, the stories get better, and the villains more deadly, From Russia With Love is a great example of that, and definitely remains a classic of the series.

• Martin S

  
  Too complicated story...why not just say "the baguy's in there!" And I can't remember...did they ever solve the problem? I just remember the movie ending. But Bond is such a bully. That saved this movie from a 2 ½ star rating

• Lady D

  
  The second of the instalments of the James Bond Series. Another mission and the introduction of the secret agent gadges, another love interest and of course not forgetting the trademark cheesy one liners. Not a particularly exciting film, but if like me you are working your way… More
  The second of the instalments of the James Bond Series. Another mission and the introduction of the secret agent gadges, another love interest and of course not forgetting the trademark cheesy one liners. Not a particularly exciting film, but if like me you are working your way through the list in order then of course it?s a film that must be seen.

• Bruce B

  
  The second in the series of James Bond Movies. And finally we get to see some neat secret agent gear, a brief case with a talcum powder can that explodes if case is open wrong, the explosion is tear gas. Also case contains 50 Gold Solverns (Wish I had Them). And it holds a knife, ohh… More
  The second in the series of James Bond Movies. And finally we get to see some neat secret agent gear, a brief case with a talcum powder can that explodes if case is open wrong, the explosion is tear gas. Also case contains 50 Gold Solverns (Wish I had Them). And it holds a knife, ohh wow secret agent gear of the sixties, would interest anyone today. But James works with a female Russian agent who he falls in love with and is simply beautiful. The object is to get a code machine back to England. Far better then Dr No, have to give it 4 stars.

• Wahida K

  
  James Bond Movies are just Awesome.

• Anthony L

  
  Could be the best Bond film ever, it?s neck and neck with Goldfinger for me. It does have the best song though!

• xGary X

  
  Shadowy criminal organisation SPECTRE plan to play the Russians and British secret service off against each other to obtain a strategically important decoding machine. The recent "reinvention" of Bond was really more of a process of going back to the roots of the franchise.… More
  Shadowy criminal organisation SPECTRE plan to play the Russians and British secret service off against each other to obtain a strategically important decoding machine. The recent "reinvention" of Bond was really more of a process of going back to the roots of the franchise. The gritty, no-nonsense almost amoral tone of Bond was already in place at a very early stage and this is one of the best examples. Connery had eased nicely into the part and here shows the easy charm and tough guy charisma that enabled him to make the part his own and he shares a charming relationship with the lovely Daniela Bianchi rather than the cynical misogyny of the later films. There are also great turns from Pedro Armendariz as his Turkish sidekick and especially Robert Shaw as a sociopathic hired killer; he occupies all the best scenes, in particular the brutal showdown between he and Bond on a train. It does have its weaknesses; SPECTRE's head honchos with their clumsy exposition, silly accents and insistence on telling their entire plan to the audience are straight out of Austin Powers, the final scene is corny as hell and the cinematography is quite poor. But if you can get past the awkward opening scenes, Bond's (eventual) appearance is well worth waiting for. One of the best of the original Bond series.

• Chris G

  
  This is what a perfect Bond film is. The sequel to Dr. No finds Bond in Turkey at the behest of a Soviet stenographer (Daniela Bianachi) who is offering the superspy a decoding device. What is actually happening is a well planned operation by SPECTRE to get the east and the west in a… More
  This is what a perfect Bond film is. The sequel to Dr. No finds Bond in Turkey at the behest of a Soviet stenographer (Daniela Bianachi) who is offering the superspy a decoding device. What is actually happening is a well planned operation by SPECTRE to get the east and the west in a conflict that will allow them to take over. Robert Shaw also stars as SPECTE's secret weapon.<br/><br/>From Russia with Love further developed the Bond film. Dr. No was the foundation and this film was built upon the basic scenario of Bond having a mission to save the world. Connery further develops the Bond role that would be the standard for the next forty years.

• Aaron N

  
  Tatiana: The mechanism is... Oh James, James... Will you make love to me all the time in England? James Bond: Day and night. Go on about the mechanism. James Bond's second outing. One of the best Bond stories of them all. One of the best Bond villains of them all. And one of the… More
  Tatiana: The mechanism is... Oh James, James... Will you make love to me all the time in England? James Bond: Day and night. Go on about the mechanism. James Bond's second outing. One of the best Bond stories of them all. One of the best Bond villains of them all. And one of the best Bond fights of them all. The best Bond movie in terms of providing a solid spy thriller story structure, mixed with Bond style charm and action. And you have Robert Shaw in ultra cool mode as a SPECTRE assassin who is Bond's match. Red Grant: The first one won't kill you; not the second, not even the third... not till you crawl over here and you KISS MY FOOT! Sean Connery as James Bond still plays things very cool, even with all the danger he gets surrounded in, and there is even time for a hot gypsy woman fight. The plot surrounds Bond attempting to find a secret decoder that could upset world order while the evil organization known as SPECTRE does their best to stop him. Bond has to travel to various places including Istanbul, make some sexy contacts, and stay alive through various boat and helicopter chases, while keeping himself looking cool throughout. The movie is very well made, a ton of fun, and full of memorable moments and the wonderful Bond score by John Barry. James Bond: Pardon me, do you have a match? Kerim's Chauffeur: I use a lighter. James Bond: Better still. Kerim's Chauffeur: Until they go wrong. James Bond: Exactly.

• Cassandra M

  
  After the success of Dr. No, it was only a matter of time before James Bond returned for his second installment of espionage and adventure. Of course, it wasn't until the phenomenal success of Goldfinger that the Bond series really took off, and established the formula soon to be… More
  After the success of Dr. No, it was only a matter of time before James Bond returned for his second installment of espionage and adventure. Of course, it wasn't until the phenomenal success of Goldfinger that the Bond series really took off, and established the formula soon to be followed by every subsequent 007 movie and virtually every other action movie. But 'From Russia with Love' proved to be an equally effective, if slightly quieter little film, with more focus on the undercover espionage portion of James Bond's occupation, and less of the glamorous saving the world which would later become daily routine for him. In fact, one of the things that makes 'From Russia with Love' interesting is that it is a 007 movie made before the "Bond movie" formula was established, and noticeable differences in the storyline can be seen. 'Russia' is more of a slower film, with fewer action sequences and more focus on Bond actually being a spy rather than an action hero. This leisurely, tension-building storytelling likely would have garnered terrible reaction in the 90s, but 'From Russia with Love' is still a very strong, if less formulaic addition to the Bond series. Another noticeable difference is that Bond himself is much less the star of the show than is usually the case. Much more focus is placed on the supporting characters of the story, including minor characters such as chess master Kronsteen (Vladek Sheybal) who likely would simply have been eliminated from the story had 'Russia' followed the standard formula more closely. And for once, Bond isn't completely all knowing, capable of solving any problem independently - he teams up with the wise Kerim Bey (the charming Pedro Armendariz, his last film role) who shows Bond the ropes of Istanbul. But more standard story elements from the Bond formula are still present, such as menacing villains Rosa Klebb (the terrifying Lotte Lenya) and hit-man Red Grant. (an utterly intimidating and menacing Robert Shaw, the film's standout) And of course, there is still a slew of beautiful women for Bond to seduce, especially Russian decoding clerk Tatiana Romanova, played by the immensely gorgeous Daniela Bianchi. Also watch for a tense boat chase near the film's climax, the kind of stunt frequented by future Bond films. So 'From Russia with Love' is really a quieter, more suspenseful addition to the Bond series, with more focus on Bond doing some actual spying rather than explosions every five minutes and Bond saving the world from some elaborate scheme. It may drag at times, and may not prove quite as exciting as today's audiences might hope, but Connery is at the top of his game here as 007, and his opposers are genuinely menacing and intimidating. For those wishing the Bond franchise would place more emphasis of the espionage portion of Bond's occupation, 'From Russia with Love' should prove the perfect film for them.

• danny d

  
  the second bond is one of the best. a complex but followable story with great elements to give this a very bond feel. this film gives spectre its teeth and establishes it as a force to be dealt with.

• Ken S

  
  This used to be my favorite Bond film, but I think Goldfinger may have taken over that spot. FRWL is certainly one of the stranger Bond films. Bond doesn't show up for the first 20 minutes of the movie. There is no plot to take over the world. Bond only fights henchman rather… More
  This used to be my favorite Bond film, but I think Goldfinger may have taken over that spot. FRWL is certainly one of the stranger Bond films. Bond doesn't show up for the first 20 minutes of the movie. There is no plot to take over the world. Bond only fights henchman rather than the top baddies. However FRWL also provides times where Bond really seems to be in Danger. There is a reality to the story that goes on that makes FRWL very visceral.

• Lenny M

  
  Along with Dr. No, definitive Connery as Bond.

• Curtis L

  
  Frau Forbisna makes he appearance in this bond film as a creepy old lesbian with a venomous knife shoe. The train car fight with bond and robert shaw was pretty good.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Best Bond film of all time!!! Sean Connery played the greatest character in film history around the best mission he has had so far. superb train fight and gorgeous leading lady.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings