From Russia with Love
1963
***
Director: Terence Young
Cast: Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Lotte Lenya, Robert Shaw, Pedro Armendáriz
007 hooks up with a Russian beauty in Istanbul while he tries to discover a Soviet decoding device before Spectre does. The second James Bond film is very highly regarded because it's a tough and gritty, no-nonsense spy thriller which doesn't dwell on the gimmicks and gadgets. But it's also a bit drab and joyless, to be honest. Rosa Klebb is a wonderful villain, though.
