From Russia with Love (1963)

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Director: Terence Young

Writers: Richard Maibaum and Berkley Mather, adapted by Johanna Harwood, based on the novel by Ian Fleming

Stars: Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya, Pedro Armendariz, Bernard Lee, Eunice Gayson, Walter Gotell



James Bond's (Sean Connery) assignment is to make contact with a beautiful Russian defector (Daniela Bianchi) who has promised to help the British obtain a top-secret Soviet encryption device, even though it is almost sure to be a trap. 



This excellent film shows the budding franchise still searching for its tone.



Such campy elements as Dr. No's secret island stronghold are gone, and director Terence Young presents a gritty spy drama that one could imagine happening in the real world.

 


For better or worse, the more cartoonish Bond would win out. 



Robert Shaw and Lotte Lenya make memorable Bond villains, but Bianchi is not very impressive as the second Bond girl, especially coming on the heels of Ursula Andress. 



Connery plays Bond as more of the wise-cracking, cheerfully smooth chauvinist he would ultimately become.
























































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