MEET JAMES BOND, SECRET AGENT 007. HIS NEW INCREDIBLE WOMEN… HIS NEW INCREDIBLE ENEMIES… HIS NEW INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES…

James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to collect a coding machine, but the whole thing is a trap set by the vindictive terror organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E.

The second James Bond flick clarifies certain aspects of his universe; Q, the brilliant inventor of 007’s toys, is properly introduced, and so is Blofeld, Bond’s arch-nemesis. It’s a good-looking, exciting sequel to Dr. No (1962) and some of the action scenes are expertly staged, especially the long fight on a train, even if the story might have benefited from tighter editing.

Robert Shaw is a charming but ruthless killer and Lotte Lenya outstanding as the Russian agent with a knife in her shoe.

1963-U.K.-U.S. 118 min. Color. Directed by Terence Young. Screenplay: Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood. Novel: Ian Fleming. Cinematography: Ted Moore. Music: John Barry. Song: “From Russia With Love” (performed by Matt Monro). Cast: Sean Connery (James Bond), Daniela Bianchi (Tatiana Romanova), Lotte Lenya (Rosa Klebb), Pedro Armendariz, Robert Shaw, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell… Desmond Llewelyn. 

Trivia: After John F. Kennedy declared ”From Russia With Love” his favorite among the Bond novels, it was chosen as the second to be filmed. It also became the last film the President ever saw. Llewelyn made his debut as Q. Armendariz committed suicide shortly after the shooting wrapped. Followed by Goldfinger (1964).

BAFTA: Best Cinematography.