It’s nothing but cold here
In May of 1964 there was little to smile about in the world. Physical wars had ended and mental wars and had shifted over to an extensive Cold War. 1964 seemed to be right in the middle of it all. So with such a perfect villain set up in real life, it was too tempting to see such a villain onscreen (sorta).
Bond is back, this time he’s on the hunt for a cypher machine known as Lektor for Russia. Why Russia? Because SPECTRE is worse. Trying to get to the Lektor before SPECTRE he has to deal with an ex-KGB agent named Rosa Kleb (who sports rather interesting shoes) and a very determined assassin named Red Grant. Along the way, he bumps/grinds into the lovely Tatiana Romanova. Will he avoid getting killed? Will he get the girl? Only the ending will tell.
Most people, while honoring Dr. No for starting the franchise, truly believe that this second Bond film brought a truer image to the character and the concept. Sean Connery seemed a lot more comfortable as the super-secret agent and brought a lot more suave to the screen. He also showed his action skills, which were pretty much absent through the first film.
Surprisingly, at least for today’s standards, Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli brought back nearly everyone from the original. Since Dr. No was a success, which was a bit unexpected for some, they probably figured it wasn’t wise messing with a good formula; how right they were. Everyone except the original composer of the first film made it back and brought together the beginning of one of the most powerful characters in film history.
Action, romance and very nasty characters truly make up what this reviewer considers the true start for the Bond franchise. Plus, Robert Shaw is a badass villain.
So cold it’s Blu
I adore the fact that most movie studios are going back, getting their franchise movies and converting them over to Blu-ray. Some might believe that this is some ploy for studios to make millions of dollars for much of nothing. I can see that, but for movies that people truly give a damn about (such as the Bond films), having them upgraded to a very pretty/high-quality HD, that’s just worth its weight in gold. You’ll love how much crisper, more alive From Russia with Love is on the Blu-ray format. Hearing a wonderful lossless 5.1 soundtrack and unreal 1080p visuals, combines for a perfect Bond experience. Excellent choice of Blu-ray.
As for the features, there aren’t a large abundance in terms of what I’ve seen on other Blu-rays (like the recently re-released Casino Royale Two-disc), but these features are fantastic for what they are. There are some that are refinished in HD and others that are brought back from the film-dead. Regardless, it might be a short stack, but it’s worth your time because it pays off at the end. Here’s what you’re getting:
– “The Complete Special Features Library: Mission Dossier” – Audio Commentary Featuring Director Terence Young and Members of the Cast and Crew
– “Declassified: MI6 Vault”
o Ian Fleming: The CBC Interview
o Ian Fleming and Raymond Chandler
o Ian Fleming on Desert Island Discs
o Animated Storyboard Sequence
– SEARCH CONTENT EXPANDED “007 Mission Control” Interactive Guide Into the World of From Russia With Love – REFINISHED IN HD Exotic Locations Featurette
– “Mission Dossier”
o REFINISHED IN HD Inside From Russia With Love
o REFINISHED IN HD Harry Saltzman: Showman
– “Ministry of Propaganda” – Original Trailers, TV Spots, Photo Gallery and Radio Communications