From Russia With Love - Sean Connery as James Bond

(aka 'Ian Fleming's 'From Russia with Love'')

directed by Terence Young
USA 1963

From Russia with Love, along with its successor, Goldfinger, represents Bond at his best. Although the series has run for more than thirty years with seventeen "official" entries, it has yet to better, or even equal, what it achieved in 1963-1964 with the release of these two films. By combining solid storylines, tightly-paced action sequences, memorable villains, and Sean Connery in top form, Russia and Goldfinger mark the cinematic apex for Ian Fleming's 007.

The elements of From Russia with Love move the movie closer to the recognizable "Bond formula" than was the case for its predecessor, Dr. No. Here, the action scenes are more numerous and generate added tension, the title sequence has a familiar flavor, John Barry's distinctive score replaces the workmanlike music of Monty Norman, Q makes his first appearance, and Connery tones up 007's sophistication while downplaying his cold-bloodedness.

Unlike the megalomaniacs in later Bond films, the villains in From Russia with Love aren't after world domination (at least not immediately). In fact, they want something significantly less ambitious: a Russian decoding device. Two of SPECTRE's top operatives are on the mission: #3, former KGB agent Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya), and #5, Kronsteen (Vladek Sheybal), a chess master who has meticulously plotted every move and weighed all alternatives. The pair reports directly to the mysterious #1, Blofeld, whose face remains hidden until You Only Live Twice.

Connery, who felt his way through parts of Dr. No, has mastered his character by this outing. He acts the role with confidence and familiarity, easily establishing his reputation as the inimitable 007. He is surrounded by an interesting supporting cast that includes Miss Universe 1960, Daniela Bianchi (whose voice was dubbed over), and Lotte Lenya as an especially vicious adversary. Playing his part with the perfect combination of toughness and sly wit, Pedro Armendariz (in his final acting appearance) is delightful as Kerim Bay, Bond's Turkish ally.

From Russia with Love is among the most tightly-plotted of all the Bond films, and, as a result, is one of the shortest. It moves briskly, blending intrigue, romance, and action into an immensely satisfying whole. Russia exudes style, as typified by a fight in a gypsy camp where Bond offhandedly dispatches rogues to the strains of John Barry's "007 theme". This movie has several such memorable moments, including an inventively choreographed fight sequence with Bond and Grant going at it in the confined space of two train compartments. Shortly after that, there's a death-defying chase between Bond and a helicopter.

Standing at the pinnacle of the series, From Russia with Love shows how good a Bond film can be when all the ingredients mesh. This movie isn't just a fun popcorn-munching action adventure flick; it's a good motion picture by any standards.

Excerpt from James Berardinelli's review located HERE .

Theatrical Release: October 10th, 1963

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DVD Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (2-disc Ultimate Edition) - Region 2,4 - PAL

(MGM - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. MGM (2-disc Ultimate Edition) - Region 2,4 - PAL RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover

Distribution

MGM

Region 1 - NTSC

MGM (Ultimate Edition)

Region 2,4 - PAL

Other Bond 2-disc 'Ultimate Editions' from the UK...


Dr. No	Goldfinger	You Only Live Twice	Thunderball	On Her Majesty's Secret Service	Diamonds Are Forever

Or buy all the titles in the James Bond - Limited Edition Attache Case Ultimate Editions Box Set (40 Discs)

Runtime

1:55:04

1:50:12

Video

1.78:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 4.43 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.88 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate : MGM - Region 1

Bitrate: MGM (Ultimate Edition)

Audio

English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0)

English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS)

Subtitles

Spanish, French, None

English HOH, English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hindi, Norwegian and Swedish, None

Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary featuring Director Terrence Young and members of the Cast and Crew
Inside From Russian With Love Documentary
Harry Saltzman - Showman Documentary
Animated Storyboard Sequence
Original Promotional Trailers
Radio Spots

DVD Release Date: April 10th, 2001
Keep case

Chapters 32

Release Information:
Studio: MGM Europe (Ultimate Edition)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1

Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary featuring Director Terrence Young and members of the Cast and Crew
• Ian Fleming: The CBC Interview
• Ian Fleming & Raymond Chandler Featurette
• Ian Fleming on Desert Island Discs
• Storyboards
• Inside From Russia With Love
• Harry Saltzman: Show
• Original Trailers
• Photo Gallery
• Radio Communications

DVD Release Date: July 17th, 2006
Keep Case inside cardboard box

Chapters 32

Comments

Quite a substantial difference between the older MGM NTSC disc and the new PAL 'Ultimate Edition' package. Most notably we have the aspect ratio - the NTSC version has cropped the 1.66 ratio image for 1.78 widescreen system owners (bad move!) - you can see how much is removed - extensive in the top of the frame but there is a loss of information on all 4 sides.

The image has improved dramatically especially in areas of sharpness, color, detail and contrast. The new 'Ultimate Edition' is substantially superior.

The new PAL release has a healthy bump in the audio track with a 5.1 or DTS offering. They sound fantastic but MGM should have included the original (2.0?) as a choice.

The NTSC edition only offers French and Spanish subtitles where the 'Ultimate' has a host of European (and even Hindi) choices as well as English and English close-captioned.

The Terence Young commentary is the same on both releases and while the NTSC offered two featurettes the Ultimate Edition gives us an entire second disc with a strong focus on writer Ian Fleming. There is a bit of filler there (the 'Woman' and 'Propaganda' sections) but overall the supplements are acceptable and appreciated. Many will find them very informative.

The film is my favorite Bond (along with You Only Live Twice) and it although I was impressed (at the time) with the original MGM DVD and its 'ACTIVATION' menu screens, this new Ultimate Edition blows it away in all areas. What a treat to see in in 1.66 with such strong clarity and sound. I think I'm going to have to get all the 'Ultimate Edition' releases now.... sigh.

- Gary Tooze

DVD Menus

(MGM - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. MGM (2-disc Ultimate Edition) - Region 2,4 - PAL RIGHT)

Ultimate Edition Disc 2 Menus

Screen Captures

(MGM - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (2-disc Ultimate Edition) - Region 2,4 - PAL BOTTOM)
Subtitle Sample: Not exact frame - NTSC has only French and Spanish options