Reviewing 'From Russia With Love': Countdown to Bond 25

CINEMATIC 007 -- "My orders are to kill you and deliver the Lektor... how I do it is my business." The Countdown to Bond 25 kicks off with a review of 'From Russia With Love.'
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[@DavyDredd14]

R.I.P Sean Connery The Greatest Actor to ever play James Bond 007

[@baldwincollins4344]

This is one of Sean Connery's Best Bond Movies ''FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE'' never tired of watching this one, Robert SHAW as HENCH MAN Red Grant, the close-quarters Fight-Scene with Grant and Bond is Probably one of the Best in the Classic cold-war Era films 10 out of 10

[@LeeHutchingsdrumsUK]

If you watch closely, after FRWL's opening title sequence, the woman Bond is with by the river is the same character from the early casino scene in Dr. No - the woman in the red dress who asks for Bond's name. This, and the name checking of Dr. No, makes From Russia With Love one of the few direct sequels to a prior Bond film.

[@CaminoAir]

Found your channel from your team ups with The James Bond Experience, which in turn I found from David's team ups with Calvin Dyson. I almost feel like a spy from tracking down these leads. Very much enjoying your work.

[@Beingjamesbond]

Welcome aboard! Thank you sir!

[@gregmize01]

Check out Dutch Bond Fan too!

[@misswestseattle8534]

Yay! I always love when Scott joins the cast. Thank you for doing these. Been a fan since 2006! Also, Happy birthday Scott!

[@aivarandressoo6721]

At 13.58: Robert Shaw (actor, 1947-1978). I doubt that... He was not 16 years old here!

[@philhellmuth2771]

Thought the same

[@manosxatzidakis4930]

Alongside with Thunderball and Goldfinger one of the top 3 Bond movies of all time. Exceptional spy movie with elements of a film noir. My favorite scene is of course the exceptional fight to death with Grant inside the Orient Express. A perfect 10 for me too. Also a perfect review. Congratulations

[@aivarandressoo6721]

Interesting fact: Daniela Bianchi was one of the youngest Bond girl(21yo.). In the next film, Honor Blackman was one of the oldest Bond girl(39yo.). 18 years difference!

[@johncormier]

My favourite film for sure, and I discovered Bond and grew up with Brosnan. I love these films, but FRWL is seriously something special. Amazing characters.

[@SamnissArandeen]

I'm slightly younger than you, I grew up half between Brosnan and Craig. During the interim, I got the FRWL video game, loved it, sought out the film, it quickly became my boyhood favorite Bond film and got me into the classic films (and some of the books), which prepared me for Casino Royale in theaters.

[@damienristori8376]

FRWL never gets tired or boring and coming from an 80s kid it certainly is probably the best Bond film of the lot. Although my two personal favs again the ones watched and loved as a kid were and still are You Only Live Twice and The Living Daylights.....can't wait to see all your reviews. Hope your kind to my two favs though.lol. I also remember actor Sean Bean stating whilst portraying Trevelyan his fav villain was always Robert Shaw as Grant..

[@gregmize01]

My first Bond film was The Spy Who Lived Me. I wanted that Lotus submarine by Corgi so bad!

[@MarkSchaub]

I'm watching the movies again immediately followed by your reviews and it's like Scott says: we go back to our favorite films because the characters are like friends we can hang out with again and again. I don't mean this in a lonely or creepy way, but I feel the same about your reviews. I love what you both put into these and the editing does not go unnoticed. You guys rock.

[@pegreen1442]

My all time favourite Connery bond film , for me personally the perfect bond film from the score to the cast and the director , big thumbs up guys great show .

[@DennisKochAuthor]

"Welcome To Baku" in The World is Not Enough uses the bond theme when he arrives.

[@CustardMarmiteGaming]

Only started watching the older films about 6 months ago and I really enjoy them. Sean Connery is Bond. Quality review lads 🔥

[@christhornycroft3686]

Daniela Bianchi and Isabella Scorupco are easily the 2 best looking Bond girls. The director can frump them up all he wants.

[@DennisKochAuthor]

Bond theme used when he arrives in the Bahamas ("Blunt Instrument" from the film score).

[@garybryant1501]

The perfect blend of the old world and the new age of technology just beginning at the time which Goldfinger embraced whole heartily the following year

[@KRW628]

One of the best Bond films of them all. For 57 years, From Russia has been my favorite of the series. And not only was Lotte Lenya in "Three Penny Opera", but her husband Bertolt Brecht wrote it.

[@str.77]

Actually, Lotte's husband wasn't Bert Brecht, who wrote the story and lyrics, but Kurt Weill, who wrote the music. She herself played a leading role but thanks to some improvising in the US she made it into the English lyrics of Mack The Knife.

[@KRW628]

I stand corrected, sir. Thank you!

[@Destroyer_13]

Theres a typo about Robert Shaw. It says 1947-1978 and it should say 1927-1978. Theres no way he was only 16 in the movie.

[@purplebondsaiyan2987]

Great Review I Have an Emotional Personal Connection to the Film because I Bought it when it was part of the MGM VHS Box Set of the Bond Films Before Die Another Day I only bought the Video of this Movie at a Local Store with my Grandma who long since Passed♥️♥️😢😢 so this Bond Film is that Important to me it's a Damn Shame I don't have it in my Possession since we cleaned out pretty much all of my Grandma's stuff, but after just Watched it I Never get tried of seeing how incredible this Movie Was!!!!! In top the 10 of everyone's Bond Film List for sure!!!! Thanks @Being James Bond

[@spyboy1964]

This is my favorite bond movie period. Every character in this movie is iconic. They are literally the prototypes for many of the James Bond movie type characters to follow. Not only in the Bond series itself but even in other movies. blond henchman - Red Grant sinister old woman - Rosa Klebb peter lorre like evil genius - Kronsteen cool mediterranean ally - Kerim Bey These archetypes are in many of the films that would follow but never better portrayed than they are here. The fight scene on the train is the ULTIMATE James Bond fight scene. The dialogue leading up to it is great Bond: red wine with fish, that should have told me something. Grant: you may know the right wines, but you're the one on your knees. This movie is very faithful to Fleming's novel as well which just happens to be my favorite of his books. To me this is Bond at his Best.

[@jamesgrassia844]

Happy Birthday Scott. Sean Connery and Robert Shaw played golf often.

[@jamesbiggs8187]

Another great job guys and well done for managing to fill 45 mins without a reference to JFK! Can't agree with you about Matt Monro's theme song though which for me never dates. The movie gets a 9 from me. If I had to choose just one favourite moment (there are many) it would have to be the introduction of John Barry's '007'. I wish this had been used more often in the later films than it was.

[@DennisKochAuthor]

Also noted Bond theme uses a score number called "Bond in Haiti" when 007 arrives - with zithers or something? So his "theme" arrivals are still used.

[@leethomas2155]

The earliest film I've seen Connery in was a film called Hell Drivers. He has quite a bit of screen time in this great film from 1957. It's tough and gritty with a load of big names in it. Stanley Baker, (who looks like Connery and would have made a great Bond) Patrick McGoohan (also a great choice for Bond), Sid James, Herbert Lom, David McCallum and William Hartnell. I can't recommend this film enough!

[@Cromwellp]

Connery regards this film as his best Bond.

[@speedracer1945]

Its true to the character as a spy with espionage and action.

[@fanboy2015]

“I agree. We use live targets as well”

[@IdiocyShow]

This movie to me is Connery’s best movie. It’s such a great movie!

[@jhking8542]

Thank you for the fantastic content! Something I love about this movie is the diversity of villains between Blofeld, Klebb and Grant. Grant is demonstrably on Bond’s level, creating an ever present feeling of physical danger to Bond. Unlike the usual contender, you really feel Grant could make Bond suffer. Klebb is the polar opposite: a small older woman, who is incredibly dangerous. This dynamic makes her feel character much darker, it’s unusual and puts you on edge. Blofeld is fantastic. You didn’t discuss the impact of not seeing his face, and the famous cat stroking. It has the same haunting impact as Klebb and leaves the audience asking a number of questions.

[@cataldotraining7735]

100% agree. Donald 'Red' Grant is still my favourite henchman for that very reason. They tried the same thing in Spectre with Hinx and he just became yet another in a long line of bumbling over-muscled buffoons. Robert Shaw's Grant had the physicality and the menace just right.

[@iammwh936]

Great video guys! For years From Russia With Love was my all time favorite Bond film and still is my favorite Connery film. Alas it comes in a close second to Casino Royale. That internal debate for my self took years and was torturous as I went back and forth. But for me my love for this film is all the odd characters. I especially enjoy Kerim Bey. I would have enjoyed this character in a few more films. Thanks!

[@BrozzaBond4007]

Love these Reviews big fan of the page I been a bond fan since I was 7 and I am 29, big fan of these page love these reviews

[@TheAdam159]

I like the theme song. Takes you back to a different era.

[@stuartie6000]

Great review of greatest Bond film. Trivia point, only time Connery filmed in Scotland before Highlander.

[@meram4086]

Well, people are really diffent from each other, I like the ending song by Matt Monro, yes, it dates the movie but not too much, I like the era anyway & I like the part where the flock of birds started to fly and the song started, like it says, everything is okay, mission accomplished, time to relax, enjoy Venice, I find this ending the most satisfying, beautiful final segment in all of the 007 movies.

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Ken Adam's with the first two film's had a very small budget for set's, a case in point. "M.s" office, the wall's are timber pattened wallpaper glued to cardboard wall's. With Goldfinger he could build a proper office with real timber panelling. Cheers, Chris Perry.

[@karlosh9286]

This is my favourite Bond Movie. The plot is almost plausible as a spy thriller, unlike some of the extreme silliness in other Bonds (see space lasers, invisible cars, and hollowed out volcanoes amongst other things)

[@speedracer1945]

For starters the soundtrack to Binders images was slick . Another first is Q and the first gadget and liked how Connery walks though the airport with the theme playing and then meets Pedro and then we meet Red Grant at the training grounds and the gypsy fight and shootout , the sniper shot and the Orient Express . The boat scene was meh but Klebb was naughty.

[@tylerjsmithers8385]

Pedro Armendariz, the guy who played Kerim Bey, was sick with cancer during shooting, forcing the production to shoot his scenes first. He committed suicide later. He was in a 1956 John Wayne film called THE CONQUEROR, where shooting took place in Utah near US Military nuclear testing. 91% of the cast and crew got cancer from it. It's quite tragic

[@westfield90]

Such an awesome movie from start to finish. Well crafted.

[@huskerjpg]

Robert Shaw was born in 1927, not 1947. Great actor in his own right. Also a successful author.

[@redlightmax]

24:22 My favorite James Bond fight scene. No contest. It makes the 13:13 From Russia With Love fight scene look tame.

[@jerrycalderon7930]

Have to disagree on the From Russia with Love title song. It is Smooth..Cool...and Hip. To me it is in the top three of best Bond theme songs. Goldfinger and You only Live Twice being the other two. It is a perfect fit for a film made in 1963. And not dissimilar from vocal tracks of that era. The instrumental version is just as good. Thank you John Barry. All three of these film theme songs have been inserted in my 50's 60's playlist on Spotify. Never get tired of these classic tracks. Ever!

[@renekauts8323]

28.25: That masseuse girl was great! Especially in 1963! She was more beautiful than any other lady in this film, even Tatiana. Funny thing is that Red Grant was totally immune to women. He was a killer, not a lover. So, very different from James Bond.

[@tylerjsmithers8385]

Nikki Van Der Zyl's involvement with James Bond: James Bond films Dr. No (1962; dubbed Ursula Andress and all other female voices except Lois Maxwell, Eunice Gayson, Zena Marshall, Yvonne Shima and Michel Mok) From Russia with Love (1963; dubbed female hotel clerk in Istanbul) Goldfinger (1964; dubbed Shirley Eaton and Nadja Regin, was also on-set English-language vocal coach to Gert Fröbe) Thunderball (1965; dubbed Claudine Auger) You Only Live Twice (1967; dubbed Mie Hama) Diamonds Are Forever (1971; dubbed Denise Perrier) Live and Let Die (1973; partially dubbed Jane Seymour) The Man with the Golden Gun (1974; dubbed Francoise Therry) Moonraker (1979; dubbed Corinne Cléry and Leila Shenna)

[@JesseBrown-qf6zp]

"From Russia with love" sung by Monro sets the mood of the film fantastically; how anyone could find something this classy "corny" is incomprehensible.

[@redlightmax]

Jesse Brown 39:50 It's cornier than a grain field.🤦‍♂️

[@greatwuta]

I will admit, at first showing I didn't like From Russia With Love but then on the second watch, I started to enjoy this film. So much so that I got it ranked the middle of the pack on my Bond Film list. Some people got this film in their Top 5. I disagree but I'm not going to debate about it. Also I am glad that they added the helicopter and boat scene into the film because Im such an action junkie. I just find it sad that Fandom Events didn't release a 60th anniversary edition of FRWL on the big screen because I would have watched it for sure.

[@leethomas2155]

l could be wrong but l'm sure the train conductor is Telly Savalas' brother.

[@Dfturcott]

I have a vague memory that this was ether one of the last books read or movies watched by jfk.

[@the00files78]

Great review guys, really enjoyed listening to this one as well. Next up, Goldfinger! -Tyler

[@niels25chr1]

Probably still the best film in the series.

[@diogocatalano9557]

IN my opinion FRWL is the best of all. Pure James Bond thriller with the perfect James Bond, Sean Connery in his prime.

[@Neon-Puritan]

Ah yes, Robert Shaw acted in this movie when he was 16.

[@RightNowMan]

Great review guys, very enjoyable!

[@TheAdam159]

Just saw it on the big screen. Still a great Bond movie. The whole formula isn't there yet, it feels more like a Hitchcock film, but it's so great

[@MGEX8206]

First saw this on TV some point in the 90s and have to say was a bit underwhelmed initially...seen it at least once more since then and like it more but still not not one of my all time favourites in the series but still...Connery didn't really do a bad Bond film. 7/10.

[@greatwuta]

I feel exactly the same way as you. Heck I even give FRWL a 7 out of 10 too.

[@danielscott8180]

I share the love for the film, but disagree with your appraisal of the last 18 minutes of the film after Bond dispatches Red Grant on the train. The novel just cuts to Bond's encounter with Klebb in the hotel room, and it feels rushed especially after the slow build-up at the beginning in which SMERSH's plan is discussed in detail. The film fixes this. The helicopter attack and subsequent boat chase show SPECTRE on the backfoot, desperate to get the Lektor. Bond has been on the backfoot throughout the film, manipulated by SPECTRE, and without these last sequences, we would never have got that real sense that he turned the tables on SPECTRE. It works extremely well for me.

[@ivorbacon3825]

Love a remake, film the actual book on adult rating no PG. Novel is absolutely brilliant.

[@knightterror2826]

Definitely the best Connery Bond movie

[@markoantonio1422]

enjoyed the review

[@rhettredelings7482]

Weren’t the helicopter and boat scenes shoehorned in to lengthen the film? It’s been a long time since I read the novel, but I don’t think either of those set pieces were in the source material. Which, if true, might be why they feel wrong to you.

[@nihits]

that is why frwl does not rate high in my ranking.. those scenes make it feel like unnecessary TWINE skiing sequence.

[@JOEMORRISSEY70]

My first Bond movie - saw it in 1963 and it was the sexist thing I'd ever seen.

[@locutusdborg126]

My mother took me to see it in 63, I was already hooked.

[@garybryant1501]

The guy pretending to be Bond in the pre credits murdered by Grant was probably breaking the SPECTRE rules so was slyly executed

[@nihits]

I dont rate FRWL so high because of editing, the gypsy fight scene, the helicopter and boat chase were tacked on.

[@mercuryrising2424]

FRWL is a great cold war, espionage movie that you don't even have to be a Bond fan to appreciate.

[@gregmize01]

ADR saves $$$

[@jebiniv]

It's hard watching this one for me. I like Dr. No, but not this one so much, and the Book version better. The movie idk why just never did it for me.

[@dynamobahamas]

From Russia with love was sung by the late great Nat King Cole one of the greatest singing voices of all time.You guys are way out of bounds on that the song made the movie a classic

[@1947airman]

I didn’t know what GLOW was and looked it up. Sorry I did.

[@rokradosavljevic5879]

8 for this film?? What??? Are you kidding me....

[@aivarandressoo6721]

How much do you want? I think it's the perfect score!

[@CustardMarmiteGaming]

Aivar Andressoo I agree