From Russia With Love (1963) - Originally Written July 30, 2012

 The Run Up To SkyFall: From Russia With Love (1963) 

Author's Note

In 2012; I set out to watch all the official "Everything or Nothing" (EON) studios James Bond films in preparation for what was the 23rd film in the series; Skyfall (2012). For the sake of  brevity; these are being posted here as originally written, though my opinion in some cases may have changed. I've been tinkering with screening them again under different circumstances. However, as of right now, these are my official thoughts on all the James Bond series.
 
Due to the repeated themes and messaging that appears in series films; especially ones spanning five decades at the time; I chose to use a "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" format. I also ranked all the pressing "lists" that Bond fans tend to on occasion. 

The Numbers

Bond: Connery (2 of 6)
M: Bernard Lee (2 of 11)
Q: Desmond Llewelyn (1 of 17)
Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell (2 of 14)
Director: Terence Young (2 of 3)
Theme Song(s): "James Bond Theme - From Russia With Love Mix" Lionel Bart and John Barry, "From Russia With Love" - Matt Monro*
*- The only Bond Film to feature the "theme song" exclusively for closing credits
The Villain(s): Donald Grant (Robert Shaw), Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) Morenzy (Walter Gotell)
The Girl* - Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi)
The Evil Scheme: S.P.E.C.T.R.E. will steal a codebreaking machine from the Russians; framing the British and heating up the cold war. In the process, they will also assassinate James Bond in retribution for the death of Dr. No.
* - only the girl Bond ends the film with will be considered for the sake of brevity. This is especially important in more recent films.

The Good: 

Rescreening these films has really made me re-evaluate my stance on Connery as Bond. He really is absolutely incredible; you really almost take for granted his greatness the first time through. Tatiana really is unlike any other "Bond Girl" I can think of right now; she really is almost like a child who is completely codependent on him in nearly every way. She's very much the exact opposite of what is coming next... On a personal note, I really like Kerim as Bond's sidekick, he's a lot of fun.

The Bad: 

While it's good that we're going to bring S.P.E.C.T.R.E into the equation, Do we really need 4 villains? Especially considering that 3 have limited screen time, the other is just kind of creeping around the shadows most of the film. And while I'm sure it's quite the interesting commentary of the times; Rosa Klebb hitting on Tatiana is just plain uncomfortable to watch.

Final Thoughts: 

When people talk about how the Daniel Craig Bond Movies are a throwback to the "Good old days" of Bond, this is what they are talking about. Bond's a super spy who has enemies and doesn't know who to trust. He sometimes does bad things, but overall, serves a greater purpose for queen and country. The gadget involvement is minimal, and when they are used, make perfect sense. Finally, the overwhelming message is clear: A master strategist who can conceive of every possible outcome is thwarted just because James Bond is that effing awesome; and that would come in handy for what comes next. . .

4 out of 5

The Rankings:

The Villains:

1. Grant/Klebb/Morzeny (FRWL)
2. Dr. No

The Girls

1. Tatiana (From Russia With Love)
2. Honey Ryder (Dr. No)

The Songs:

1. James Bond Theme/"From Russia with Love" (FRWL)
2. James Bond Theme (Dr. No)

The Movies:

1. From Russia with Love (1963)
2. Dr. No (1962)

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