S.P.E.C.T.R.E are planning on stealing a ‘enigma’ type code breaking machine known as the Lektor from the Russians. At the same time S.P.E.C.T.R.E Boss #1 wants revenge for the death of Dr No, and enlists #3, the villainous Col Klebb to finish what Dr No couldn’t.
Now with a former KGB mercenary after him, and with the help of Tatiana Romanova – who is being tricked by Klebb ( a former Head of Soviet counter intelligence)
Cast/Characters
Sean Connery returns as Bond, and despite his mature appearance was only 33 at the time of filming. He is everything that Bond should be; calm, intense, observant. He was perfect for the role.
Robert Shaw (who I’ve had come up in quite a few recent reviews) is a great antagonist. Hired by S.P.E.C.T.R.E to keep an eye on Bond, and report back to his superiors. He is an equal physical match for Connery’s towering 6’2 Bond
Lotte Lenya is brilliantly merciless as Klebb (who defected from the Soviet Union S.P.E.C.T.R.E , Pedro Armendariz (who was sick with cancer during his performance) as Bond’s Israli associate Kerim Bey, and Daniela Bianchi plays Tatiana.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
Once again S.P.E.C.T.R.E are the antagonist, with #1 being the faceless villain we will come to know as Ernst Stavro Blofeld in later films. I enjoyed that this was a continuation of Dr No, with S.P.E.C.T.R.E wanting revenge against Bond for killing him. I’m exited to revisit the series to see how much of an ongoing threat they will continue to be. This is my first time watching the entire franchise in over 20 years so I have forgotten some of these earlier films.
At almost 2hrs, this does feel too long at times, with some moments feeling like it was added to pad the run time (such as the Gypsies camp).
There are of course the cliche’s of most Bond films; the blatant early misogyny against the lead female, even though she is given a seemingly important job – Bond still treats her like an extension of himself. It was great to have such a well written (and played) female villain in Klebb too (aside from the alluded to homosexuality. There is also the killing off of one of Bond’s allies in Kerim Bey (no spoiler warning as the film is 63 years old.
There is some solid action scenes too, such as the bombing scenes when Bond steals the Lektor machine, and the fight sequence between Bond and Grant later in the film. The cramped train compartment felt claustrophobic and was filmed brilliantly to accommodate this.
Overall
A solid 2nd entry in the ongoing franchise. Connery is a brilliant Bond, and the supporting players (Shaw, Lenya, Bianchi etc) round the cast perfectly.
3.5/5
If you’re able to, please “buy me a coffee”
Ryan's Movie Reviews 