From Russia with Love (1963)

Director: Terence Young
Writer: Novel: Ian Fleming Adaptation: Johanna Harwood Screenplay: Richard Maibaum
Cast: Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Lotte Lenya, Robert Shaw, Pedro Armendariz, Bernard Lee
Genre: 007 James Bond, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Romance

From Russia with Love is the 2nd installment in the popular 007 James Bond franchise, and the first one, Dr. No, is obviously reviewed here at Motion Pictures on the Fly earlier. Sean Connery is again taking on the role as 007, Young is again directing and both Harwood and Maibaum are again writer credited, and I feel that ensemble here have made some progress from their first attempt. we're still far away from the legendary status the franchise have got, but overall it's quite the entertaining tale from the glory days of spy-stories.

The characters are getting more interesting, the plot better balanced and the Bond-babe might not have Andress' stunning step out of the ocean beauty, but she sure makes for a more interesting side kick. Sadly the final confrontations of the movie is amateur hour, but up until then it's quite a ride well worth taking.