Showing posts with label walter gotell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walter gotell. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: The Living Daylights



Based on Ian Fleming’s short story, The Living Daylights is the story of James Bond traveling all over the world to retrieve a defected Soviet general where Bond finds himself being conned in the process. Directed by John Glen and screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Michael G. Wilson, the film marks a new shift in the Bond story as it returns to more grittier territory as it is also the first film to star Timothy Dalton as James Bond. Also starring Maryam d’Abo, Joe Don Baker, Art Malik, John Rhys-Davies, Jeroen Krabbe, Geoffrey Keen, Desmond Llewelyn, Caroline Bliss, and Robert Brown as M. The Living Daylights is a fantastic action-adventure film from John Glen.

In Bratislava, Bond aids fellow agent Saunders (Thomas Wheatley) to handle the defection of Soviet general Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbe) by helping him escape to Austria. After Bond targets the assassin who is revealed the cellist Kara Miloy (Maryam d’Abo), Bond only shoots the gun as he successfully gets Koskov to Austria. Returning to London, Bond and his superiors hear Koskov’s claims about new KGB leader General Pushkin (John Rhys-Davies) reviving an old policy that targets spies including Bond. Yet, a break-in into Koskov’s secret hideout has Koskov captured as Bond is assigned to track down Pushkin and retrieve Koskov though Bond remains suspicious as he and M know Pushkin.

Bond returns to Bratislava to track down Miloy as he notices that she’s being followed by the KGB where he finds her gun in her cello trunk where he makes a discovery. After helping Miloy escape to Austria to avoid the KGB, Bond asks Saunders to figure out where Koskov bought Miloy’s cello as Bond learns that it was paid for by an arms dealer named Whitaker (Joe Don Baker). This adds more suspicions as Bond finally confronts General Pushkin in Tangiers as he would make moves to figure out what is really going on. After confessing to Miloy about what he’s really doing, Bond and Miloy are captured where they learn the truth about really happened to Koskov. With the help of a local Mujahideen leader in Kamran Shah (Art Malik), Bond would stop an illegal transaction from happening and uncover the truth about Koskov.

The film is essentially the story of James Bond trying to uncover a mysterious plot in the re-capturing of a defected Soviet general as he learns that the defection plan was really a ruse for something far more troubling. This would have Bond track down a Czech cello player, who is the girlfriend of the defected general, as she’s revealed to be a pawn in this defection plan where she would aid Bond in uncovering the truth. This plot would also involve illegal arms deals, extortion, and drug trades where Bond would eventually help the Mujahideen in defeating a group of Russians.

The screenplay succeeds in balancing both action and suspense as the screenwriters definitely wanted to do something that is a bit different as James Bond is a bit more ruthless in his pursuits. Even as he maintains an air of professionalism in his role while he’s also willing to take some risks in uncovering the truth. Helping his is Kara Miloy who is essentially this woman that’s been kept in the dark about what is happening as she would eventually become a more resourceful woman who can fight back and get things done. Then there’s General Koskov who is this ambiguous figure that makes all of these claims but there’s something about him that has Bond wondering if he’s really telling the truth. Even as Bond learns what he’s really up to as it would involve this arms dealer profiting from the Soviet-Afghan conflict.

John Glen’s direction is definitely superb for the way the film opens as it involves this training exercise that goes wrong where it would introduce Bond to do what is necessary. With the film largely shot in Vienna and Morocco, Glen does maintain a lot of straightforward shots of the locations while creating some spectacular action sequences in the Alps where it is about the stakes as Glen takes his time to capture its intensity. While there isn’t much humor in this film as it’s mostly restrained, the film’s suspense makes up for it in the way Glen builds it up and create some silent moments where Bond would play investigator to make his discoveries. Overall, Glen creates a marvelous and engaging action-suspense film that does more than what is expected in a Bond film.

Cinematographer Alec Mills does excellent work with the photography from the wonderful look of many of the film‘s locations including the nighttime scenes in Vienna to the array of lights in Bond‘s climatic confrontation with Whitaker. Editors John Grover and Peter Davies do nice work with the editing by creating lots of rhythmic cuts for the film‘s action scenes as well as more methodical ones for the film‘s suspenseful scenes. Production designer Peter Lamont, along with set decorator Michael Ford and art director Terry Ackland-Snow, does superb work with the set pieces from the home base of Whitaker to Q’s gadget room in the secret MI6 base.

Costume designer Emma Porteus does terrific work with the costumes from the dresses that Kara wears to the uniforms that Whitaker wears. Special effects supervisor John Richardson does splendid work with the visual effects in some of the film‘s action scenes. Sound recorder Derek Ball does wonderful work with the sound to capture the intensity of the action scenes as well as the atmosphere of the orchestra concert scenes. The film’s score by John Barry is brilliant for its mixture of orchestral flourishes and electronic rhythms to give the Bond themes a new sense of flair as they add to the film’s action and suspenseful moments. The soundtrack includes some classical pieces by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, and Alexander Borodin as well as a couple of songs by the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde as well as the wonderful mid-tempo title song by A-ha.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams is phenomenal for the ensemble that is created as it features some notable small roles from Virginia Hey as General Pushkin’s mistress, Julie T. Wallace as Bond’s Bratislava contact, John Terry as Bond’s CIA friend Felix Leiter, Thomas Wheatley as Bond’s aide Saunders, and Andreas Wisniewski as the henchman Necros. There’s also some terrific performances from such Bond regulars like Desmond Llewelyn as Q, Robert Brown as M, Caroline Bliss in her first appearance as Miss Moneypenny, and in their final appearances, Geoffrey Keen as defense minister Frederick Gray and Walter Gotell as former KGB head-turned diplomat General Gogol. Art Malik is excellent as local Mujahideen leader Kamran Shah who helps Bond in Afghanistan while John Rhys-Davies is superb as new KGB head Leonid Pushkin.

Joe Don Baker is wonderful as the scheming arms dealer Whitaker who loves guns and war as he tries to engineer a plot to profit from conflict. Jeroen Krabbe is great as General Georgy Koskov who tries to create things where he makes Bond suspicious and also leave Kara in the dark over his ideas. Maryam d’Abo is very good as Kara Miloy as a woman who has been kept in the dark by her boyfriend as she aspires to play cello all over the world as she would aid Bond in his plans to stop these schemes. Finally, there’s Timothy Dalton in a marvelous performance as James Bond. Dalton brings a real sense of cool to his character as well as restrained aggression in the way he handles his situations as there’s a bit of a dark edge to Bond as Dalton really brings a fresh take on Bond.

The Living Daylights is an incredible film from John Glen that features Timothy Dalton in a top-notch performance as James Bond. The film is definitely a return of sorts to simpler, suspenseful Bond as it strays away from the silly humor of the Roger Moore period. The film is also different for giving Bond more grit as he is more fearless in his pursuits as well as giving some of the sexual interplay a bit of break in the wake of AIDS. In the end, The Living Daylights is an extraordinary film from John Glen.




© thevoid99 2012
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: A View to a Kill



Based on Ian Fleming’s short story From a View to a Kill, A View to a Kill is about James Bond going up against a microchip industrialist who plans to destroy Silicon Valley for financial reasons. Directed by John Glen and screenplay by Michael G. Wilson and Richard Maimbaum, the film marks the seventh and final time Roger Moore played the role of Agent 007. Also starring Christopher Walken, Grace Jones, Tanya Roberts, Patrick Macnee, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, Walter Gotell, Geoffrey Keen, and Robert Brown as M. A View to a Kill is a stellar yet adventurous film from John Glen.

After recovering a microchip in Siberia, James Bond gives the chip to Q (Desmond Llewelyn) who analyzes it as he reveals that it’s a chip that can withstand electromagnetic pulse. Learning that it’s manufactured by an industrialist named Max Zorin (Christopher Walken), Bond joins M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) to the horse racetrack where they meet Sir Godfrey Tibbett (Patrick Macnee) where they make a discovery about Zorin’s horse. After talking to a French investigator at the Eiffel Tower, Bond comes across a mysterious assassin whom he tries to chase as he later goes to Zorin’s French estate with Tibbett pretending to be his driver. After meeting Zorin, Bond notices a beautiful young woman named Stacy Sutton (Tanya Roberts) being given a check for more than five million dollars.

Later that night, Bond and Tibbett break into Zorin’s secret lab where they learn about what Zorin and his henchman Dr. Carl Mortner (Wiloughby Gray) are injecting into the horses. When Tibbett leaves the next day to contact M, Bond goes horse riding with Zorin where things become tense as Bond’s identity was identified by Zorin’s henchwoman May Day (Grace Jones). Though Bond was able to survive Zorin’s attempt to kill him, he later re-appears in San Francisco to meet with CIA agent Chuck Lee (David Yip) who reveals to Bond some information about Zorin. After trying to uncover what Zorin is doing at an oil rig, Bond gets information from Russian agent Pola Ivanova (Fiona Fullerton) who is also going after Zorin since he used to be a KGB agent that’s gone rogue.

Bond then meets Stacy Sutton who reveals about the check Zorin gave her as she helps Bond trying to figure what Zorin is up to. Realizing his plan, Bond once again has to stop another villain from creating chaos.

The film is essentially the story of James Bond trying to stop a psychopathic industrialist from destroying Silicon Valley in order to create a monopoly in the microchip business. Yet, the villain that Bond faces is a man who isn’t just a rogue KGB agent who has grown rich on his own. He’s also a man who is the product of medical experiments performed by the Russians that had gone absolutely mad in his ambitions. It’s an interesting premise that allows Bond to do what he does to stop a madman but not everything about the screenplay works.

Some of the dialogue is a bit cheesy in its attempt to be funny while the Stacy Sutton character is badly written as she is this geologist who despises Zorin for wanting to buy her family’s business. Other issues in the screenplay involves a few ridiculous moments in which a group of police officers try to go after Bond where it feels like it belongs in another movie. Still, the screenplay does play faithfully to the formula as well as creating some interesting characters like May Day who adds some excitement to the story.

John Glen’s direction is definitely engaging for the action sequences, sprawling stunt sequences, and other adventurous moments that is created. Even in the way he builds up suspense as it is still about James Bond trying to uncover a mystery. While there’s moments in the humor that is good, some of it feels forced and off at times where it delves into very silly moments that takes away some of the action. Glen is still able to pull off the moments of thrills and knows when to slow things down in order for Bond to do his job and take his time. Even as he creates scenes to establish more information about Zorin and his plans. Overall, Glen creates a very solid though flawed film that has all of the hallmarks of what is needed in a James Bond film.

Cinematographer Alan Hume does excellent work with the film‘s photography from the colorful locations set in France, London, and San Francisco to some of the interiors set in Zorin‘s estate. Editor Peter Davies does terrific work with the editing in playing up the energy of the action scenes to more straightforward cuts for the suspense and dramatic scenes. Production designer Peter Lamont, with set decorator Crispian Sallis and art director John Fenner, does superb work with the look of Zorin‘s estate as well as the meeting room in his blimp. Costume designer Emma Porteus does wonderful work with the costumes such as the lavish clothing that May Day wears.

Special effects supervisor John Richardson does fantastic work with some of the action sequences that involves explosions and other big things. Sound editor Colin Miller does nice work with the sound from the way the sound is recorded during the oil rig scene as well as the broad mix in the film‘s action scenes. The film’s music by John Barry is very good for its orchestral-driven score from the bombastic arrangements for the action scenes to more lush-driven pieces for the romantic moments. The title song performed by Duran Duran is definitely one of the best theme songs for its mixture of new wave and orchestral bombast provided by Barry.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams is brilliant for the ensemble that is created as it includes some notable small performances from Patrick Bauchau as Zorin’s henchman Scarpine, Daniel Benzali as Stacy’s boss, Fiona Fullerton as KGB agent Pola Ivanova, Dolph Lundgren as one of General Gogol’s men, Papillon Soo Hoo and Alison Doody as a couple of May Day’s assistants, David Yip as CIA agent Chuck Lee, and Wiloughby Gray as Zorin’s scientist associate Dr. Mortner. Walter Gotell is wonderful as General Gogol while Lois Maxwell is very good in her final appearance as the always charming Miss Moneypenny. Bond regulars like Geoffrey Keen as defense minister Frederick Gray, Desmond Llewelyn as Q, and Robert Brown as M are excellent as always with Llewelyn always being the standout. Patrick Macnee is terrific as Bond’s friend Sir Godfrey Tibbett who gives him access to enter Zorin’s estate and stable.

Tanya Roberts is OK as Stacy Sutton where in less chaotic moments, Roberts can give a good performance but her character is so badly written that she is nothing more than just a damsel in distress. Grace Jones is great as Zorin’s henchwoman May Day as she displays a great sense of bravado as a woman eager to kill Bond and help out Zorin in any way. Christopher Walken is phenomenal as Max Zorin by displaying a dark sense of charm to his role as well as a craziness that is restrained. Although the performance could’ve been more campy and out there, Walken does enough to make Zorin a very memorable villain.

Finally, there’s Roger Moore as James Bond where Moore displays his usual wit in the role of Bond though it’s obvious that there’s a weariness in his performance as Moore definitely looks old for the part. Still, Moore brings all of the elements that makes James Bond one of films’ great characters.

While it may be among one of the weaker films of the James Bond series, A View to a Kill is still a worthwhile film from John Glen thanks to the performances of Roger Moore, Christopher Walken, and Grace Jones. With some amazing action sequences and thrilling moments, it’s a film that has a lot of things Bond fans can enjoy. In the end, A View to a Kill is a pretty good film from John Glen.




© thevoid99 2012
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: Octopussy



Octopussy is the story of James Bond who tails a general stealing jewels from the Soviet Union that leads him to a mysterious Afghan prince who plans to aid the general to disarm Europe with nuclear weapons. Directed by John Glen and screenplay by George MacDonald Fraser, Michael G. Wilson, and Richard Maimbaum, the film is based on a short story by its creator Ian Fleming as Bond once again face off against new foes with Roger Moore playing Bond for the sixth time. Also starring Maud Adams, Louis Jourdan, Steven Berkoff, Kristina Wayborn, Douglas Wilmer, Desmond Llewelyn, Walter Gotell, Lois Maxwell, Geoffrey Keen, and Robert Brown in his first appearance as M. Octopussy is a fun and engaging film from John Glen.

After the death of agent 009 (Andy Bradford) in East Berlin after trying to capture a Faberge Egg from a circus, James Bond is asked by M to investigate the matter where Bond attends an auction over the real Egg. At the auction, an exiled Afghan prince named Kamal Khan (Louis Jourdan) wins the Egg at the auction but unaware that Bond switched the fake one and taking the real for the government as he travels to India to find out what Khan is up to. After some encounters with Khan and his bodyguard Gobinda (Kabir Bedi), Bond learns that Khan is conspiring with mad Soviet general Orlov (Steven Berkoff) who wants to expand the Soviet borders into Europe much to the dismay of his superiors including General Gogol (Walter Gotell).

After escaping Khan’s prison, Bond learns from his contact Vijay (Vijay Amritraj) about an island that only a cult of women live in where Bond meets its leader Octopussy (Maud Adams). Learning that she’s a wealthy smuggler who also likes to have other business ventures including a circus, Bond believes that Khan is trying to set her up in an upcoming deal where Orlov plans to take real diamonds as part of a ruse. Going to East Berlin, Bond sees what Orlov and Khan are up to as he decides to stop them from deactivating an atomic bomb on a U.S. air base.

The film essentially has James Bond tackling an Afghan prince and a Soviet general in a diamond smuggling operation that will help fund a disarming plan against Europe. It’s a film where Bond goes to India and Berlin to stop another attempt at World War III from happening while he meets a wealthy diamond smuggler whose association with this exiled prince has her unaware of the ruse that is around her. It’s a plot that simple but at times is hard to follow because of the actions of Khan and General Orlov where it takes a while for their plan to finally come into fruition. They’re interesting villains although the Khan character isn’t as well-defined since his motivations, other than profit, aren’t clear.

One character who is compelling is the titular character who is revealed to be this woman that wants to create a safe haven for other women while wanting to do business legally other than her usual work in diamond smuggling. She’s also a woman who can handle her business though she’s unaware that she’s being played by Khan in a smuggling operation that she thinks will go her way. It’s one of the screenplay’s highlights although at times, it is uneven in tone as it wants to be a full-on suspense film with humor. It’s just that the humor leads to moments where things feel too ridiculous at times.

John Glen’s direction is engaging from the thrilling opening prologue scene where Bond infiltrates a base as well as many of the film’s action sequences that includes a chase scene through Udaipur, India. Glen’s direction is definitely big in what is expected in terms of action and suspense scenes while he does try to keep the humor subtle. Yet, there’s moments where the humor doesn’t really work such as Bond in a clown suit and a gorilla costume to evade foes where it reaches to the level of silliness. Despite the flaws the film carries, John Glen does manage to succeed in creating a James Bond film that has all of the sense of adventure and suspense that is needed to make it thrilling enough for its audience.

Cinematographer Alan Hume does excellent work with the film‘s photography from the gorgeous nighttime shots in the Indian locations to the more colorful locations in Berlin. Editors Peter Davies and Henry Richardson does superb work with the editing by creating rhythmic cuts to many of the film‘s action sequences as well as more straightforward cuts to the film‘s dramatic and suspenseful moments. Production designer Peter Lamont, with set decorator Jack Stephens and art director John Fenner, does brilliant work with the set pieces such as the homes of Khan and Octopussy that are lavish to complement their personalities.

Costume designer Emma Porteus is terrific for the lavish wardrobe Octopussy and her group of women wear to the Indian garb some of the men wear in the Indian scenes. Special effects supervisor John Richardson does fantastic work with some of the effects created in some of the film‘s action scenes such as the opening prologue with the plane. Sound editor Colin Miller does nice work with the sound to play up the atmosphere of the Indian locations as well as the layered work in the action scenes. The film’s score by John Barry is very good for its orchestral score from the thrilling pieces to play up the action to the lush string arrangements for some of the film’s romantic moments. The original song All Time High by Barry and Tim Rice that is sung by Rita Coolidge is a fine mid-tempo song highlighted by its string arrangements and Coolidge’s calm yet soaring vocals.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams is wonderful for the ensemble cast that is created as it features some memorable small performances from Andy Bradford as Agent 009, Douglas Wilmer as a MI6 operative Bond accompanies to the auction, David and Anthony Meyer as Khan’s knife-throwing henchmen, Kabir Bedi as Khan’s bodyguard Gobinda, and Michaela Clavell as Miss Moneypenny’s assistant. Bond regulars such as Geoffrey Keen as defense minister Frederick Gray, Walter Gotell as General Gogol, and Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny are all very good while Desmond Llewelyn is excellent as usual as the inventive Q as he gets to be involved in the film’s climatic action scene. Robert Brown is terrific as M as Brown brings a very different approach to the character as a more stern version of the character. Kristina Wayborn is very good as Octopussy’s aide Magda while Vijay Amritraj is also good as Bond’s Indian contact Vijay.

Steven Berkoff is amazing as the mad General Orlov who is intent on ensuring the Soviet Union’s power by his desire to start World War III. Louis Jourdan is quite fine as Kamal Khan by displaying a sense of charm to the character although it’s a very un-memorable role in comparison to the other Bond villains of the past. Maud Adams is superb as Octopussy by displaying a sense of grace and determination to a character that just wants to do what is right for herself while being intrigued by Bond. Finally, there’s Roger Moore in a stellar performance as Agent 007 where Moore displays his sense of charm and wit to the role also proving to be very physical in dealing with foes.

While it may be one of the weaker films of the James Bond franchise, Octopussy is still a worthwhile film from John Glen featuring Roger Moore as James Bond. While it’s a flawed film due to its uneven tone, it does have a lot of the elements that makes a Bond film enjoyable to watch. In the end, Octopussy is a very good James Bond film from John Glen.



© thevoid99 2012
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Wednesday, August 08, 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: For Your Eyes Only



Based on Ian Fleming’s novel, For Your Eyes Only is the story of James Bond trying to recover a missile command object from a Greek businessman who is also targeted by a woman seeking revenge for her parents’ death. Directed by John Glen and screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Michael G. Wilson, the film returns to more traditional elements of Bond following a series of genre-bending films as the humor is also more restrained as Roger Moore returns for his fifth of seventh outing as James Bond. Also starring Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, Julian Glover, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, Walter Gotell, and Geoffrey Keen. For Your Eyes Only is a suspenseful yet tremendous film from John Glen.

After the disappearance of a secret spy boat and the assassination of a marine archeologist (Jack Hedley) and his wife, James Bond is asked by the Minister of Defense (Geoffrey Keen) to investigate the matter as Bond travels to Spain to confront the suspected assassin Hector Gonzalez (Stefan Kalipha) and find out who hired him to killed Sir Timothy Havelock. While Bond eventually finds the man who paid Gonzalez, Gonzalez was suddenly assassinated as Bond learns that Havelock’s daughter Melina (Carole Bouquet) who is seeking vengeance for her parents’ murder as she wants to go after the man who hired Gonzalez. With the help of Q (Desmond Llewelyn) and his identi-graph machine, Bond learns that a man named Emile Leopold Locque (Michael Gothard) is the man who paid Gonzalez as Bond travels to Cortino, Italy for more information on Locque.

Bond meets Greek businessman Aristotle Kristatos (Julian Glover) who claims that Locque is a hired killer working for his business rival in Milos Columbo (Chaim Topol) as Bond also meets Bibi Dahl (Lynn-Holly Johnson), an ice-skating prodigy Kristatos is sponsoring. After dealing with some of Locque’s henchman including an assassin named Erich Kriegler (John Wyman), Bond later goes to Greece to meet up with Kristatos and see the scenery with Melina who is still trying to find Locque. After seducing Columbo’s mistress in Countess Lisl von Schlaf (Cassandra Harris), Bond later has an encounter with Locque that goes wrong where Bond finally meets Columbo who reveals some information about who Kristatos really is forcing Bond to realize something isn’t right.

After meeting Melina to recover the ATAC decoding machine from the boat, the two finally realize who wants the machine all along and who really hired Gonzalez and Locque to kill the Havelocks. There, Bond realizes what he must do to stop the sale of the ATAC to the KGB as he and Melina would get some help for the mission.

The film is essentially the story of Bond trying to recover a decoding machine that he hopes won’t get into the wrong hands while being entangled into a web of intrigue and lies as he tries to find out who killed a marine archeologist whose daughter is also seeking vengeance for her parents’ death. It’s a story that is simple but filled with lots of suspense and action as well as bits of humor. Notably as Bond has to figure out who wants this device and for what while wondering if he’s being played by these two rivaling smugglers who despise each other and see who is really telling the truth.

Helping Bond in this mission is Melina Havelock, a Bond girl that may have her own agenda but she aids Bond in trying to find out why her father was killed. While her motive may be for vengeance for her parents’ murder, it’s only because she feels she has to do what is necessary to gain justice for what happened as she cites Greek folklore as inspiration. While she may not a completely physical force, she is deadly with a crossbow as well as very determined that makes her one of the most compelling figures in a Bond movie. Especially since she and James Bond do help each other and eventually team up in the film’s second half where they prove to be a strong team.

The screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Michael G. Wilson is successful for not just creating great characters like Melina, Kristatos, and Columbo but for also raising the stakes of what Bond had to do. There is a MacGuffin in the form of this ATAC decoding device where if it was in the wrong hands, someone could control the enemy submarines to shoot nuclear missiles against the enemy. For Bond, it’s something he has to do as he eventually has to realize that the KGB is involved and its ending has him doing something for the sake of world peace.

In his first outing as director, John Glen succeeds in creating a Bond film that harkens back to its roots. More element of suspense and extended action sequences, it’s a film that manages to be engaging and thrilling through the compositions he creates as well as the locations that he manages to have Bond be in. Yet, the film opens in grand style with a prologue that has Bond at a graveyard and then being trapped in a helicopter that is remote controlled by an old enemy. It’s a prologue that doesn’t have anything to do with the main story but it’s a great opening sequence to emphasize Bond going back to his roots while being witty in the way he defeats this old adversary.

The rest of the film maintains its sense of intrigue where Glen allows the audience to follow Bond in his attempt to uncover the mystery through this web of lies where he wonders who is telling the truth in these two rivaling smugglers. Bond is able to charm his way into getting information while having to fend off foes through any means such as this huge chase sequence where he’s having to ski in a sequence that is quite long but investing in how Bond has to evade these assassins. The climatic battle where Bond has to recover the ATAC before the KGB gets it is also filled with suspense where Bond has to mountain climb this secret base as there’s moments where Bond might not be able to succeed. Overall, Glen creates a film that has all of the tropes of what a Bond film is and should be while playing to its strengths by balancing the film with lots of action and suspense.

Cinematographer Alan Hume does excellent work with the photography from the soft lenses he uses for some of the nighttime close-ups to the colorful exteriors of the locations from the white snow of Cortino, Italy to the beautiful scenery in Greece. Editor John Grover does superb work with the editing by creating dazzling cuts to play up the film‘s action scenes as well as more methodical pacing for some of the film‘s suspenseful moments. Production designer Peter Lamont, along with set decorator Vernon Dixon and art director John Fenner, does amazing work with the set pieces such as the climatic base near the film‘s end as well as the design of the Neptune submarine that Bond and Melina use to find the ship. Costume designer Elizabeth Waller does terrific work with the costumes from the underwater suits Bond and Melina wear to find the ATAC to some of the clothes that Melina wears socially.

Visual effects supervisor Derek Meddings does brilliant work with the minimal visual effects scenes created such as some of the underwater scenes and the action sequences in Cortino. Sound mixer Derek Ball does nice work with the sound to capture the layer of gunshots to the crackling of pistachio nuts that Columbo always eats and uses during missions. The film’s score by Bill Conti is stellar for its electronic-driven score that plays to mixture of rhythmic-based themes for some of the film’s action sequences to more lush themes for some of the film’s romantic scenes. The title song by Conti and lyricist Michael Leeson is among one of the best theme songs as it is sung by Sheena Easton who appears in the film’s stylish opening credits sequence.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams and Maude Spector is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features some small performances from Charles Dance as a henchman of Locque, John Moreno as Bond‘s Italian contact Luigi, Jack Hedley as Melina‘s father Sir Timothy Havelock, James Villers as MI6 Chief of Staff Bill Tanner, Stefan Kalipha as the assassin Hector Gonzalez, Jill Bennett as Bibi‘s coach Brink, Cassandra Harris as Columbo‘s mistress Countess Lisl von Schlaf, and John Hollis as Bond‘s old adversary in the film‘s opening prologue. Bond regulars like Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny, Walter Gotell as KGB head General Gogol, and Desmond Llewelyn as Q are always a joy to watch where Q gets to have a funny scene where he briefs Bond in Greece. Geoffrey Keen is excellent as the Minister of Defense who briefs Bond in what he has to do as Keen does a nice job in taking the place of the M character.

John Wyman is very good as the henchman Erich Kriegler who is proven to be a formidable opponent for Bond while Michael Gothard is also good as the mysterious killer Emile Leopold Locque. Lynn-Holly Johnson is terrible as Bibi Dahl where it’s a character who tries to seduce Bond as Johnson’s dramatic moments aren’t very good as she is one of the worst Bond girls out there. Chaim Topol is excellent as Kristatos’ former smuggling partner Columbo who makes some startling revelations to Bond about Kristatos as Topol gives a very low-key performance as a man who has a love for pistachio nuts. Julian Glover is great as the shady Kristatos who tries to manipulate Bond into going after Columbo while trying to maintain his role as a fair but corrupt businessman.

Carole Bouquet is brilliant as Melina Havelock, a woman seeking vengeance for her parents’ death as she aids Bond in trying to retrieve the ATAC decoding device. It’s a performance that ranks up there with some of the best Bond girls as Bouquet also has a beauty that is truly intoxicating to look at while proving to be very strong in some of the film’s dramatic moments. Finally, there’s Roger Moore as James Bond where Moore gives another phenomenal performance as he displays a more restrained humor to Bond while making Bond more cunning in the way he tries to uncover plots and such.

For Your Eyes Only is a marvelous James Bond film from John Glen that features a top-notch performance from Roger Moore as Bond along with notable supporting work from Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, and Julian Glover. The film is among one of the best films of the Roger Moore era as it goes back to its roots by being more of a suspense film rather than trying to mesh with another genre. In the end, For Your Eyes Only is a brilliant film from John Glen.




© thevoid99 2012
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Monday, July 30, 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: Moonraker



Based on Ian Fleming’s novel, Moonraker is the story of James Bond uncovering a space shuttle theft as he meets its manufacturer who plans to create a society in outer space. Directed by Lewis Gilbert and screenplay by Christopher Wood, the film has James Bond traveling all over the world again as well as go to outer space to face off against another megalomaniacal villain. Also starring Michael Lonsdale, Lois Chiles, Richard Kiel, Walter Gotell, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, and in his final appearance as M, Bernard Lee. Moonraker is a spectacular film from Lewis Gilbert.

After the theft of a space shuttle, James Bond is asked by M and the Minister of Defense Frederick Gray (Geoffrey Keen) to investigate as Bond travels to California to meets its manufacturer Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale). After meeting Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles) at Drax’s lab, Bond seduces Drax’s assistant Corrine Dufour (Corrine Clery) to get information about what Drax is planning as he travels to Venice for further investigation. After dealing with some of Drax’s people, Bond discovers glass vials containing nerve gas put into chambers as Bond later learns that Goodhead is a member of the CIA. After reporting the news to Gray and M about the lab, they discover that it’s gone as Gray is forced to apologize to Drax for Bond’s blunder though M knows something is up.

Going to Rio de Janeiro, Bond meets his contact Manuela (Emily Bolton) to find out what Drax is doing in Rio as he suddenly meets up with Drax’s newly-hired henchman in Jaws (Richard Kiel) as he and Goodhead have another encounter with Jaws when they learn that Drax is moving all of his properties away from Rio. Though Bond was able to escape the clutches of Drax’s henchmen, Goodhead was captured as Bond regroups at a secret base where Q (Desmond Llewelyn) discovers the source of the nerve gas from a rare orchid prompting Bond to go to the Amazon where he encounters Jaws and more of Drax’s men leading to Drax’s secret base where Goodhead is held prisoner. After another escape with Goodhead, the two travel to outer space where they learn about Drax’s big plans to hold a society of a new world and destroy the old one. The news would force Bond to save the world with the help of an unexpected ally.

The film is essentially about James Bond stopping another industrialist from destroying the world to create a new one but this time around, it’s in outer space. Yet, it would have Bond doing more investigating and engage into conflict with henchman as he is trying to save the world once again. This time around, he faces off against a man who wants to create a new world that away from all of the decadence and turmoil but also create new species with people who have perfect genes. While there’s nothing wrong with Drax’s ideas, the fact that he wants to destroy Earth just makes him the kind of foe Bond has to defeat. The screenplay succeeds in creating a character as complex as Hugo Drax as well as creating a Bond girl in Dr. Holly Goodhead who is quite intelligent and can kick some ass in order to help Bond.

The direction of Lewis Gilbert is definitely big in terms of the ambition he aims for as much of the film takes place in different locations such as Venice, Rio de Janeiro, California, and parts of Guatemala. Yet, Gilbert ensures that the film has all of the tropes of what is expected in a Bond film through the beautiful locations and thrilling action sequences while taking time to uncover things that is crucial to the film’s plot. While the film does contain humor, at times it goes a little overboard towards silliness where it ends up being a bit of a distraction rather than to help advance the story. Yet, the humor isn’t shown as much as it leads to the climatic scenes in outer space in the third act where Bond takes charge and faces off against Drax and destroy his plans. Despite the flaws the film carries, Lewis Gilbert creates another successful and engaging Bond film that does everything that is expected in a Bond film.

Cinematographer Jean Tournier does a wonderful job with the film‘s photography from the gorgeous exterior shots of some of the film‘s exotic locations to the interiors in Drax‘s mansion and the space station to maintain a very pristine look. Editor John Glen does excellent work with the editing to play up the element of suspense and action with some stylish cuts for the latter. Production designer Ken Adam, with set decorator Peter Howitt and art directors Charles Bishop and Max Douy, does brilliant work with the set pieces from the look of Drax’s mansion and home bases to the look and interiors of the space station.

Costume designer Jacques Fonteray does superb work with the costumes from the suit that Drax wears at the space station to the look of the space suits worn by the U.S. Marines astronauts and Drax‘s astronauts during the climatic laser battle. Visual effects supervisor Derek Meddings does spectacular work with the visual effects such as the many scenes in outer space that involves zero gravity and anything involving lasers. Sound mixer Daniel Brisseau does nice work with the sound from the way the lasers sound to the array of sound to exemplify the film‘s action sequences. The film’s score by John Barry is terrific for its lush orchestral arrangements and the bombast it has for many of the film’s action sequences. The title song co-written by lyricist Hal David and sung by Shirley Bassey is a wonderful ballad that plays to the tradition of Bond themes while it also has a disco remix played in the film’s final credits.

The casting by Weston Drury Jr. and Margot Capelier is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it includes some notable performances from Corrine Clery as Drax’s assistant Corrine Dufour, Toshiro Suga as Drax’s henchman Chang, Emily Bolton as Bond’s Rio contact Manuela, Michael Marshall as the U.S. Marines commander, and Blanche Ravalec as the girl Dolly that Jaws falls for. Bond regulars such as Walter Gotell as General Gogol. Geoffrey Keen as the Minister of Defense, Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny, and Desmond Llewelyn as Q are fun to watch as they each give memorable performances. Bernard Lee is great as Bond’s superior M who backs Bond up following a blunder as it’s a truly gracious performance from Lee in his final outing as M.

Richard Kiel is excellent as the henchman Jaws where he finally gets something to do other than go after Bond where his character falls in love as he gets to display a more tender side to the character. Lois Chiles is wonderful as Dr. Holly Goodhead by providing a calm yet cool performance as a character who aids Bond in the mission while proving to be a very smart person Bond can count on. Michael Lonsdale is very good as Hugo Drax, an industrialist who has ambitions to create a new world as Lonsdale displays a great sense of restraint and prestige as the film’s antagonist. Finally, there’s Roger Moore as James Bond where Moore displays his sense of humor and charm to the character while proving to be more direct once his character has to do investigating and fighting as it’s one of Moore’s essential performances as Bond.

Despite some of the silliness in the story and the unnecessary humor, Moonraker is still a stellar film from Lewis Gilbert. Thanks in part to Roger Moore and Michael Lonsdale, it’s a film that is worth watching for its sense of adventure as well as being thoroughly entertaining. Notably as it has Bond taking on the sci-fi genre with some success as Bond manages to find ways to remain relevant in the age of the blockbuster. In the end, Moonraker is a marvelous James Bond film from Lewis Gilbert.




© thevoid99 2012
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Thursday, July 26, 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: The Spy Who Loved Me



Based on Ian Fleming’s novel, The Spy Who Loved Me is the story of James Bond teaming up with a Russian agent to stop a reclusive megalomaniac from destroying the world and create a new one under the sea. Directed by Lewis Gilbert and screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Christopher Wood, the film is a return to James Bond going back to basics after spending time dabbling with other genres with its two previous films as Roger Moore plays Agent 007 for the third time. Also starring Barbara Bach, Curd Jurgens, Richard Kiel, Geoffrey Keen, Walter Gotell, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, and Bernard Lee as M. The Spy Who Loved Me is an extraordinary and thrilling film from Lewis Gilbert.

Following the disappearance of two nuclear submarines from Britain and the Soviet Union, James Bond is asked by the Minister of Defense (Geoffrey Keen) to investigate the matter as Bond travels to Cairo. He then meets KGB officer Major Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) who is also there to find a microfilm plans about the tracking system that has captured the submarines where they encounter a metallic-teeth henchman named Jaws (Richard Kiel) as they get the microfilm where Bond later meets Amasova’s superior in General Gogol (Walter Gotell) who has decided to team up with M to investigate the submarines’ disappearance where Bond and Amasova suspect a shipping tycoon named Karl Stromberg (Curd Jurgens).

Traveling to Sardinia, Bond and Amasova meet Stromberg posing as a couple where Bond learns about Stromberg’s plans to create an underwater society away from the decadence and chaos of the modern world. After another tussle with some of Stromberg’s people including Jaws, Bond and Amasova realize that an oil tanker from Stromberg might have something to do with it as the two board a U.S. submarine to uncover more about Stromberg’s base known as Atlantis where they’re captured by Stromberg’s oil tanker along with the U.S. sub crew. Realizing what Stromberg plans to do with the two captured subs, it’s up to Bond to once again save the day.

The film is essentially the story of James Bond teaming up with a KGB agent to defeat an industrialist tycoon who is hell-bent on destroying the world in order to create a new one under the sea. It’s a plot that is simple yet screenwriters Richard Maimbaum and Christopher Wood create a script that is complex in terms of the motivations of Karl Stromberg as well as fleshing out both James Bond and Anya Amasova who team up to stop Stromberg. Especially since Bond is the one who kills Amasova’s lover early in the film during a mission where she would eventually find out that would cause some tension between the two.

Anya Amasova in some ways is Bond’s equal as she is a spy who is just as cunning, intelligent, and is able to get the job done though she may not be as physically superior as Bond. Still, she is someone who understands Bond as well as the fact that she is someone who is loyal to the KGB and wants to ensure that she gets the job done. Then there’s Karl Stromberg who is an interesting villain that stands out from the rest. All he wants is to create a new world under the sea where things are simpler as there’s no politics and decadence that he feels is ruining the modern world. While he may not be a villain who can match Bond physically, his ambition and willingness to face anyone who will get in his way does make him a compelling antagonist.

Lewis Gilbert’s direction is definitely big in terms of the set pieces that are created as well as the locations as the film is shot in Egypt, Canada, Switzerland, and Sardinia, Italy. Yet, it’s also intimate for the way it explores the relationship between Bond and Amasova where they have to work together despite being part of different factions as they’re away of the bigger picture in order to maintain a good British-Soviet relationship. Through some amazing compositions, close-ups, and tracking shots, Gilbert’s direction is always engaging for the way the suspense is built and the payoff that comes in afterwards. Notably in the climatic action scenes involving submarines and possible nuclear Armageddon where Bond would have to use his own intelligence to save the world. Overall, Gilbert creates a truly magnificent and engrossing film that stands up there with some of the great Bond films.

Cinematographer Claude Renoir does spectacular work with the film‘s photography from the beauty of the exteriors in its locations to some of the interiors with some amazing light schemes that features un-credited work from Stanley Kubrick. Editor John Glen does excellent work with the film‘s editing by playing up to the film‘s suspense and action with methodical and rhythmic cuts to maintain its leisured pace. Production designer Ken Adam, with set decorator Hugh Scaifie and art director Peter Lamont, does superb work with the set pieces such as the Atlantis home base as well as the secret meeting rooms Bond and Amasova meet to pull their sources together.

Visual effects supervisor Derek Meddings does amazing work with the miniatures created such as the exterior of the Atlantis base as well a few key visual effects shots. Sound recorder Gordon Everett does terrific work with the sound to play up some of the action scenes with heightened sound as well as the way the narrator speaks during the Egyptian pyramids sequence.

The film’s score by Marvin Hamlisch is brilliant for its lush orchestral pieces mixed in with a bit of funk and disco for the some of the film’s action sequences. With a soundtrack that includes classical pieces from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, Camille Saint-Saens, and Frederic Chopin along with Maurice Jarre’s theme from Lawrence of Arabia. The film’s theme song Nobody Does It Better by Hamlisch and lyricist Carole Bayer Sager and sung by Carly Simon is among one of the best Bond theme songs ever recorded.

The casting by Weston Drury Jr. and Maude Spector is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features notable appearances from Michael Billington as Amasova’s lover Sergei Barsov, Shane Rimmer as the U.S. sub commander, Edward de Souza as Bond’s Egyptian contact Sheikh Hosein, Robert Brown as Admiral Hagreaves, Milton Reid as Stomberg henchman Sandor, and Caroline Munro as Stromberg’s assistant/assassin Naomi. Bond regulars such as Lois Maxwell as the witty secretary Miss Moneypenny and Desmond Llewelyn as the inventive but unappreciated Q are a joy to watch. New Bond regulars in Geoffrey Keen as British defense minister and Walter Gotell as General Gogol are also great to watch as the latter is a great character who serves as an authority figure Bond can trust. Bernard Lee is superb as Bond’s superior M who always keeps Bond in check while ensuring that he does his job.

Richard Kiel is excellent as the silent but deadly Jaws where his tall figure and big metallic teeth makes a great impression as one of the most memorable henchman of the Bond franchise. Curd Jurgens is great as the villainous Karl Stromberg who displays a low-key sense of intimidation to his character as well as devilish charm to a man who likes to show off his ideas. Barbara Bach is wonderful as Major Anya Amasova aka Agent Triple X as she displays an intoxicating beauty but also determination as a woman keen on doing her job as well as deal with someone as charming as Bond. Finally there’s Roger Moore in a phenomenal performance as James Bond where Moore maintains his low-key sense of humor for the role while bringing a wit to the way he handles business as it’s one of Moore’s best performances as Agent 007.

The Spy Who Loved Me is a remarkable film from Lewis Gilbert as it stands as one of the best films of the James Bond franchise. Thanks to an ensemble cast led by Roger Moore as James Bond, the film is highlighted by high production values, amazing visual effects, and a compelling story. It’s a film that does everything that is expected in a Bond film and more. In the end, The Spy Who Loved Me is an outstanding film from Lewis Gilbert.




© thevoid99 2012
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Monday, June 11, 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: From Russia with Love



Based on the novel by Ian Fleming, From Russia with Love is about James Bond protecting a Soviet defector where they team up to retrieve an encryption device from SPECTRE as they’re also seeking to kill Bond. Directed by Terence Young and screenplay by Richard Maibaum (with additional contributions from Johanna Harwood), the film has James Bond becoming a target just as he also steps up his game to fight against the organization he discovered about in the previous film Dr. No as Sean Connery returns to play the role of Agent 007. Also starring Daniela Bianchi, Lotte Lenya, Pedro Armendariz, Robert Shaw, Desmond Llwelyn, Lois Maxwell, and Bernard Lee as M. From Russia with Love is a thrilling and exhilarating film from Terence Young.

Seeking revenge for what James Bond had done in Jamaica, SPECTRE hires former SMERSH colonel Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) and Czechoslovakian chess master Kronsteen (Vladek Sheybal) to create a plan to steal a Soviet cryptographic device to intensify the Cold War. Klebb brings in assassin Red Grant (Robert Shaw) to aid in the plan while she also has a beautiful Soviet embassy clerk from Istanbul in Tatiana Romanova (Daniel Bianchi) as a pawn to seduce Bond as Romanov is unaware of her role. Learning about Romanova wanting to defect with the cryptographic device, M sends Bond to Istanbul to meet her as he meets his contact in Turkish station head Ali Kerim Bey (Pedro Armendariz).

Bey reveals a long-standing tension between the Soviet and the Turks where the Bulgarians are involved to help the Soviet as they spy on the Soviet consulate where Bond gets a look at Romanova. Bond and Bey also learn that ruthless Bulgarian assassin Krilencu (Fred Haggerty) is involved as he would later attack Bond and Bey at rural gypsy settlement where Bond is unaware that Grant is there to keep him alive. After aiding Bey in ridding Krilencu, Bond finally meets Romanova where the two are unaware of SPECTRE’s involvement. After a rendezvous that Romanova was supposed to meet where Bond realizes something isn’t right as he got the floor plan to steal the cryptographic device.

After succeeding in getting the device with Romanova and Bey, the trio board a train where they stop a Russian agent as things seemed to go well as planned. Unfortunately, something happens as Bond realizes that something strange is happening as Grant boards the train pretending to be Bond’s contact. Eventually, Bond and Romanova realize what is really going on forcing Bond to do something to stop SPECTRE and their plans.

The film is essentially the story of James Bond trying to aid a Russian defector in bringing in a device that could help them in the Cold War only to be unaware in their role as pawns in a game by an organization that is trying to heat up the Cold War and target James Bond. The film is partially a revenge tale from the point of view of SPECTRE and their secretive leader in a man that is known as Number 1. Yet, it’s also an adventure film from Bond’s perspective as he’s trying to do his mission for the British while having his time to kick some ass and score with women all at the same time. Richard Maimbaum’s screenplay does play to the formula of how Bond conducts his adventures but it does take its time to play with it. Notably the opening scene to reveal Grant’s professionalism as an assassin as well as the next scene where SPECTRE plan their next move following the events of Dr. No.

One of the key differences in Maimbaum’s script is how Bond is willing to play the role of a pawn so he can figure out what is going on. While Romanova may not be aware of what she’s doing as she’s just a clerk that is willing to defect. She isn’t some damsel-in-distress as she is quite an interesting woman who is playing a part for Klebb but is unaware of the role she’s really playing. When her relationship with Bond starts to grow, she becomes more concerned of a life outside the Soviet Union and away from conflict only to be aware of the stakes that is happening around her and the cryptographic device she’s to hand over to the British.

Then there’s the villains as their motivation are very clear from the beginning as they are definitely aiming for revenge and power. Having Bond be the pawn of what they want and then kill him add to the element of suspense the story needed as they’re trying to pit Soviets/Bulgarians against Turkish agents just so they can get Bond to play with the Turks so he can steal the device and eventually get it from with the help of a very intelligent and powerful assassin who doesn’t say a word until the third act. Of course, the villains would practically underestimate Bond who isn’t some typical secret agent who has a lot love for the ladies and is willing to play the fool.

Terence Young’s direction is amazing for the way he plays out the suspense such as the opening prologue scene before the opening credits to display Grant’s skills as an assassin. With a lot of gorgeous compositions of the location in Istanbul with some amazing set pieces such as Bey’s home office and Soviet embassy. Young’s direction is always thrilling while he takes his time to let the action sequences play out where it does create a moment of excitement such as the battle scene in the gypsy settlement.

Since the film is an action-adventure spy thriller, Young is also aware that the story is balanced by Bond playing a sleuth to discover what is going on while being part of an element of suspense. One key scene that is a mastery in the air of suspense is where Bond finally meets Grant for who he really is as it’s a great scene of how to build up the suspense. It’s all about the battle of wits and Bond killing time so he can make his move. It’s a scene that is presented wit such simplicity and patience where it sets off a great payoff that would lead to more adventures for Bond as he faces SPECTRE. Overall, Young creates a truly spectacular and fun film that creates a standard of what James Bond film should be.

Cinematographer Ted Moore does excellent work with the film‘s very colorful cinematography to play up the beautiful locations of the Istanbul exteriors along with some amazing lighting set-ups for the scenes inside the church. Editor Peter R. Hunt does amazing work for the film‘s stylized editing that is filled with rhythmic cuts for the film‘s action sequences along with a transition wipe and other stylized cuts to help maintain a leisured rhythm. Production designer Syd Cain does brilliant work with the set pieces created such as the home base where Bond is briefed to the interior places in Istanbul and the Orient Express train.

Costume designer Jocelyn Rickards does nice work with the costumes such as dresses that Romanova wears to complement her sensual style and beauty. Sound recorders C. Le Mesurier and John W. Mitchell do terrific work with the sound such as the intimacy of the church along with the raucous atmosphere of the gypsy settlement. The film’s music by John Barry is incredible for the way it plays up to the suspense and drama while creating various uses to Monty Brown’s famed theme to help keep the flow going. The title song sung by Matt Monro is a truly exquisite ballad that plays in the film’s final credits to emphasize Bond’s love for Romanova.

The casting by Weston Drury Jr. is superb for the ensemble that is created as it features some memorable small roles from Eunice Gayson reprising her role as Bond’s semi-girlfriend Sylvia Trench, Fred Haggerty as Bulgarian assassin Krilencu, Aliza Gur and Martine Beswick as a couple of gypsy women who fight each other only to be a couple of women Bond sleeps with, Vladek Sheybal as the Czech chess grandmaster Kronsteen who tries to organize a fail-safe plan to get rid of Bond, and in the mysterious role of Number 1 aka Ernst Stavro Blofield, the voice of Eric Pohlmann and the body of Anthony Dawson who previously played Dr. No in the preceding film. Other notable roles of people who would be Bond regulars include Walter Gotell in an early appearance to the franchise as a SPECTRE henchman, Lois Maxwell as the flirtatious secretary Miss Moneypenny, and Desmond Llewlyn in his debut appearance as Bond’s gadgets man Q.

In his final film role, Pedro Armendariz is excellent as the helpful and witty Ali Kermin Bey who aids Bond in the mission while grounding him on what he should do. Bernard Lee is terrific as Bond’s superior M who briefs Bond on what he should do while being frustrated with Bond’s other activities. Lotte Lenya is great as the cunning villainous Colonel Rosa Klebb who wants to ensure Bond’s end while Robert Shaw is fantastic as the eerie yet very low-key killer Red Grant as there’s a cool silence about Shaw’s performance in the first two acts only to be even cooler when he speaks. Daniela Bianchi is wonderful as Tatiana Romanova who unknowingly becomes a pawn in SPECTRE’s schemes as she finds an ally in Bond where she aids him in her role as a defector as it’s a part that has charm and wit though Bianchi’s voice is dubbed by Barbara Jefford.

Finally, there’s Sean Connery as Agent 007 James Bond where Connery definitely shows more of his skills as a badass to play Bond while exuding the same kind of charm and professionalism that the role required. Connery also maintains Bond’s low-key sense of humor while the scene he has with Shaw shows Connery just playing it cool and not putting pressure on himself as he maintains that kind of masterful way to restrain himself as what Bond needed. It’s definitely Connery who just ups the ante in his role as 007.

From Russia with Love is a fantastic and entertaining film from Terence Young that features Sean Connery in an incredible performance as James Bond. The film is definitely among one of the great films of the James Bond film series thanks in part to the way it plays out its suspense and featuring great supporting characters who are quite complex in the way they interact with Bond. In the end, From Russia with Love is a phenomenal action-adventure film from Terence Young.




© thevoid99 2012
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