From Russia with Love (1963)

Bond at his best
There was no better Bond than Sean Connery, especially when compared to Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton and Lazenby. This was the second in the series and had not acquired the really high tech explosions and cast of thousands, which often distracted in the later films.

Connery's Favorite 007 Film
Bonds come and go, but "From Russia With Love" (1963) is a screen classic in its own right. The second 007 adventure makes the most of its increased budget with expansive locales (Turkey, Italy and even Scotland), ruthless villains (memorably portrayed by Robert Shaw and Lotte Lenya) and Sean Connery in terrific form. Terence Young directs this Ian Fleming adaptation with a firm hand. "From Russia With Love" remains Connery's favorite Bond film . . . and it's easy to see why.

AGENT 007.5
In the true spirit of "Dr. No", here we have a James Bond (Connery) who can handle himself very nicely in the mold of a true 1964 British agent. Again, the plot is quite simple: trying to abduct a supposed Russian defector who possesses a secret decoder during the "Cold War" circa 1964. The fun begins in Istanbul,where the top British official seems to be a target in a shooting gallery. Traveling beneath the city, the duet confiscates the machine and the "plant" and off we go across southern Europe via the Istanbul Express. Spies begin to die and Bond steps up to the challenge-taking out a key Russian spy, a hapless truck driver, a helicopter, at least 4 Russian patrol boats in a memorable, fiery chase scene, and hated Russian agent 003, disguised as a matron. This is the Bond we knew and loved, not the "Casper Milktoast" seen in "Goldfinger". With his Russian "partner" hopelessly converted by Bond's sexuality, the movie ends appropriately undercover in a Venetian gondola.Relax, girls! Connery is absolutely no match whatever for Matt Damon as Jason Bourne circa 2007. But, by 1964 standards,at least he acts, he perfoms his best here.