Movie Review: From Russia with Love

From Russia with Love (1963, PG): ****

No list of the greatest movies ever made could be complete without a Bond film.  Of all the Bond films, it's arguable to say which one is the best, and in the end, comes down to an opinionical matter of favorability.  In that sense, I prefer From Russia with Love, the second entry in the series.  It's a rare example where the sequel is an improvement over its predecessor and all the other sequels in turn.  From Russia with Love at its core is a genuine Cold War thriller, though on the crust it's a Bond film inside and out.  All the traditional elements that can make a great Bond movie are pieced together in From Russia with Love, mixing those elements with the ingredients makes a good thriller a good thriller.  The result is the only Bond entry in the series thus far that works as good as a Bond film as a real action-thriller.  And as any great film should have, From Russia with Love has its highlight moments scattered throughout its narrative.  Take the opening sequence, the Gypsy camp and the fight aboard the train all as examples.  From Russia with Love isn't just the best Bond film made (on the account of my opinion).  It's one of the best thrillers you're ever likely to see!  Directed by Terence Young.