PopGap #25: From Russia With Love (1963)

My 2nd favorite James Bond movie out of the five that I've seen within the last decade, after Martin Campbell's 2006 revival Casino Royale.

The entire train sequence in From Russia With Love is great, and Sean Connery gets in a real fight for once. I have a hard time believing that the Robert Shaw in this is the same Robert Shaw in The Sting and Jaws. He's unrecognizable from role to role, as well as exceptional. While I miss the funky island flavor of Dr. No, this second entry in the series is uncommonly lean with just enough fun nonsense, and a Bond girl (Daniela Bianchi) who is both vulnerable and necessary.

From Russia With Love was brought to my Potluck Film Fest by Nigel Druitt, who can be found on Flickchart under the username johnmason. He ranks it on his Flickchart at #409 (75%, out of 1634 movies) and 7th of 12 James Bond movies. On my chart, From Russia With Love ranked at #829/3743 (78%), where it's now my 2nd favorite James Bond movie out of the five that I've seen within the last decade.