(1963)
 
Producer: Harry Saltzman, Albert R. Broccoli
Director: Terence Young
Screenplay: Richard Maybaum, Johanna Harwood
Titlesong: Lionel Bart, Matt Munro
Actors: Sean Connery (James Bond) - Daniela Bianchi (Tatjana Romanova) - Pedro Armendariz (Kerim Bey) - Lotte Lenya (Rosa Klebb) - Robert Shaw (Red Grant) - Bernard Lee (M) - Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny) - Desmond Llewelyn (Q) - Eunice Gayson - Walter Gotell - Vladek Sheybal

Sean Connery returned the following year to star in a second Bond film with the mission being, to recover a stolen 'Lector' machine from the Soviets. The film briefly introduces Ernst Stavro Blofled, head of crime organization, SPECTRE, but his face is not seen until the fifth Bond film.
From Russia With Love boasts what is probably the most impressive cast to date, with even the lesser roles benefiting from impeccable acting. For Tania, the native Soviet agent who initially deceives Bond only to fall in love with him, the producers cast a virtual unknown - Daniela Bianchi. Ms. Bianchi, a runner-up in the 1960 Miss Universe contest, was an Italian actress with limited experience.

Bond's other key ally is somewhat less glamourous, but even more memorable: kerim Bey, the head of the Secret Service operations in Turkey. Played with wry wit by Pedro Armendariz in larger than life performance, Kerim is a classic character in the Bond canon. The scenes between Armendariz and Connery are what screen chemistry is all about. Sadly, Armendariz was agonized by terminal cancer, and his health was deteriorating daily. Ternece Young arranged the schedule so Armendariz's most demanding scenes would be shot first. Tragically, Armendariz commited suicide shrtly before the film "wrapped". He leaves a legacy as one of the most beloved Bond character's.

From Russia With Love also presents two of the series' most inspried villains: Rosa Klebb, the shrewish SPECTRE murderess, and her soldier Red Grant, a psychotic muscleman with a penchant for stangling adversaries with a nylon cord hidden in his wrist watch.

Unquestionably the highlight of the film is the famous gut-wrenching fight to the death between Bond and Grant aboard the Orient Express. The suspense is riveting as Bond is completely helpless and second away from death. However, he lures Grant into opening "Q"'s attaché case, and the tear gas mechanism explodes in his face. What follows is probably the most exciting fight sequence ever filmed.

The results from the large efforts of the crew, is a Bond film that is a classic in every respect. It is difficult to find an aspect of FRWL that does not approach perfection. The performances, script and direction are all top notch, as is John Barry's marvelous score. Audiences for FRWL surpassed those of Dr. No, and James Bond became an international celebrity.