Ultimate Bondometer: From Russia With Love

From Russia With Love (1963)
Director: Terence Young
Cast: Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw

From Russia With Love is perhaps the most Fleming-esque of all the Bond franchise. But does that make it the best?

The Ultimate Bondometer will decide...

Gadgets: 3/10

Huzzah, the first appearance of the legend that is Desmond Llewelyn as Q (though he is credited in this as Boothroyd). And along with this seminal character comes the first real gadget of the series:

The Attache case – A ‘nasty little Christmas present’ with a whole arsenal of bad-ass delights, including a tear gas cartridge, a knife, an apparently rather complex locking technique, and, most ingenious of all, a hidden compartment to keep coins!!! Move over, jet-pack-Bond.

Evil mastermind: 5/10

We have three evil SPECTRE characters up for the coveted role here:

Number 5 (Kronsteen) - chess genius, tactical maestro, ultimately inconsequential

Number 3 (Klebb) - Russian mad-woman who prefers to get involved on the field.

Number 1 (Blofeld) (a giggle-worthy Number 2 is conspicuously absent) - Ultimate dastardly credit must go to the most iconic of all the Bond super-villains, despite never actually seeing his face. Though most true Bond aficionados still hold to the theory that it was the cat's idea all along (just look at it's shifty, sinister eyes!).

Henchman: 7/10

Perhaps the most realistic and genuinely threatening villain that Bond must face, Donald ‘Red’ Grant (Robert Shaw) is a match for Bond in physical prowess, intelligence and gentlemanly conduct (even saving Bond's life so he can have a proper pop later on).

Girl: 8/10

Ah Tatiana (Daniela Bianchi)! The girl with a mouth that is just the right size, “for me that is”. My childhood sweetheart - though admittedly she was probably about 50 then. As Bond would put it - "One of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen". AND her surname is Bianchi! Well, clearly talent, looks and general star quality are hereditary! Sadly she does not scream.

One Liner: 2/10

Frustratingly few, as Bond is still a stone cold assassin with little room for witticisms.

After downing a helicopter with a shotgun: “I’d say one of their aircraft is missing.” Showing an uncanny ability to shake off a tense near-death experience with a simple pun.

Awesome Kill: 5/10

The killing of uber-agent “Old Man” Grant. One of most genuine threats to 007 in the whole series, Grant actually manages to mess up Bond’s hair! However, despite a great little contained fight sequence, the strangulation really is a little too quick.

Crazy, mental stunt: 4/10

Fighting a mad, Russian ginger man/woman with a pointy, poisonous shoe, using only a chair.

Opener: 6/10

Pre-credits sequence: Imagine, it you will, that you didn’t know Bond was to live for 21 more films. Imagine, if you can, that Tom Cruise in the M:I films had never attempted the multiple mask technique for avoiding recognition. The opening scene where Grant seemingly kills Bond must have actually been quite shocking! Now, it's pretty rubbish.

Credits: Compared to the shonky silhouette images of Dr No, this is sharper and more slick by a country mile. Plus the now legendary John Barry "007" theme makes it's first appearance, with the "From Russia Wit Love" overture being relegated to end credits.

Mode of Transportation: 3/10

Roughly 63.72% of the film is spent on the Orient Express which, according to the squiggly red line on the map of Europe, travels a really long way.

Sicklist Rating:8/10

While still confined by 60s greenscreen techniques and shocking dubbing, this is a far more recognisably modern Bond, with the key cornerstones of the franchise beginning to find shape. A tight thriller, with more exotic locales, and fantastical set-pieces, all pave the way for Bond's world to almost become fully defined.


Bondometer Total: 53/100
(New 1st Place)