Beginner’s Bond: From Russia With Love
In case you’re just joining us, Beginner’s Bond is a series about finally closing one of the largest gaps in my cinematic knowledge—the adventures of Britain’s top secret agent, James Bond. I’m watching all the classic films for the first time and sharing my reactions with you, faithful reader. Dr. No turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Can From Russia With Love do the same?
Pretty much everything I said about the previous film also applies to this one. It’s still fairly grounded, with a plot born from period-appropriate Cold War paranoia. James Bond is sent to retrieve and protect Tatiana Romanova, a defector from the Soviet Union. She promises a coveted Lektor code machine in exchange for safe passage to the West. Although M and Mr. Bond both call the scenario an obvious trap (because it is), they also agree that the possibility of acquiring a Lektor is worth the risk. Most of the movie is just watching Bond and Romanova travel through picturesque locations, when they’re not snuggled up in their private room making double entendres at each other. Occasionally someone tries to kill them, but other than that it’s a rather lovely vacation.
There are also some really weird choices being made here. There’s a scene where James simply looks around an unremarkable hotel room while the full orchestral theme blares as if he were in the middle of a climactic gunfight. It is puzzling that the final boss fight pits Bond and Romanova against one old woman in a small room, instead of a big explosive set piece like its predecessor. And its pretty funny that 007’s legendary lady-loving skills play a significant part in the plot this time. Romanova is convinced to abandon her assignment as a double agent and defect from the Soviet Union for real after a long weekend locked in a suite with MI-6’s most reliable stud. She never stood a chance.
From Russia With Love gives us the first proper spy gadgets. Although creative, they’re still quite practical. Fun stuff like a briefcase that conceals a small knife in a spring-loaded holster, and its booby-trapped with tear gas if you don’t open it the right way. You can tell the movie is most proud of the tape recorder hidden within a camera, as if disguising a recording device as a different recording device was a brilliant piece of tradecraft. It’s still the first thing the bad guys are going to confiscate, M!
While I certainly don’t think From Russia With Love is a better movie than Dr. No, it is more fun. This film isn’t afraid to be silly, like during Bond’s epic slap fight against Grant that demolishes the interior decor of the train. Or when Tatiana simply can’t stop begging Bond for more “attention” while he tries to take a work call. The cast isn’t always doing something important, but they are enthralling to watch all the same.
Up next is Goldfinger. I’ve heard it is a weird one. I look forward to the escalating ridiculousness.
