...provides probably more outright suspense and excitement than any of the newer concoctions.
Video:
Colors are bright and sharp, as expected, in this 1.74:1 anamorphic widescreen DVD transfer. But there is also some grain present and some occasional age flecks noticeable, especially in the first few minutes of the film. In fact, the video reproduction in "From Russia With Love" isn't much different from "Dr. No" or "Goldfinger," the films that came before and after it, respectively. The picture quality isn't perfect, but it's quite good given the age of the film.
Audio:
The sound, though, is unremarkable, an average monaural, with little deep bass and few strong dynamic contrasts. It does its job in a workmanlike way, never calling attention to itself except in quieter passages where its soft background hiss can be heard.
Extras:
As far as bonus materials are concerned, MGM does its usual Special 007 Bond routine. There is the expected audio commentary, this one with director Terence Young and members of the cast and crew. Then, there are two excellent documentaries. The first, "Inside From Russia With Love," is narrated as always by Patrick Macnee and lasts thirty-four minutes. It gives us some good behind-the-scenes information about what was apparently the most accident-plagued of any of the Bond productions. The second documentary, narrated by Marie Clairu, is called "Harry Saltzman: Showman," a twenty-nine-minute biography of the producer of the first nine James Bond movies. Next, there is an animated storyboard sequence featuring the speedboat scene at the end of the film, comparing the drawings to the finished product. A still gallery is quite extensive, so much so that it has to be indexed. Oddly, MGM leave off mention of the still gallery on their box. Finally, there is MGM's usual, eight-page informational booklet insert, plus thirty-two scene selections, and three each of theatrical trailers, TV ads, and radio spots. English and Spanish are the spoken language choices, French and Spanish the subtitles.
Parting Thoughts:
I daresay anyone who had seen only the latest high-tech, slam-bang Bond outings with Pierce Brosnan would scarcely recognize "From Russia With Love" as a Bond picture. "From Russia With Love" is positively subtle by comparison. Nevertheless, the older movie provides probably more outright suspense and excitement than any of the newer concoctions. But rather than splitting hairs, maybe we could all agree that new or old, Bond is Bond, and the differences only point up the need for owning as many of the flicks as we can afford. "From Russia With Love" may be purchased separately or in a boxed set that also includes "You Only Live Twice," "Diamonds Are Forever," "Moonraker," "For Your Eyes Only," "The Living Daylights," and "The World Is Not Enough."
Colors are bright and sharp, as expected, in this 1.74:1 anamorphic widescreen DVD transfer. But there is also some grain present and some occasional age flecks noticeable, especially in the first few minutes of the film. In fact, the video reproduction in "From Russia With Love" isn't much different from "Dr. No" or "Goldfinger," the films that came before and after it, respectively. The picture quality isn't perfect, but it's quite good given the age of the film.
Audio:
The sound, though, is unremarkable, an average monaural, with little deep bass and few strong dynamic contrasts. It does its job in a workmanlike way, never calling attention to itself except in quieter passages where its soft background hiss can be heard.
Extras:
As far as bonus materials are concerned, MGM does its usual Special 007 Bond routine. There is the expected audio commentary, this one with director Terence Young and members of the cast and crew. Then, there are two excellent documentaries. The first, "Inside From Russia With Love," is narrated as always by Patrick Macnee and lasts thirty-four minutes. It gives us some good behind-the-scenes information about what was apparently the most accident-plagued of any of the Bond productions. The second documentary, narrated by Marie Clairu, is called "Harry Saltzman: Showman," a twenty-nine-minute biography of the producer of the first nine James Bond movies. Next, there is an animated storyboard sequence featuring the speedboat scene at the end of the film, comparing the drawings to the finished product. A still gallery is quite extensive, so much so that it has to be indexed. Oddly, MGM leave off mention of the still gallery on their box. Finally, there is MGM's usual, eight-page informational booklet insert, plus thirty-two scene selections, and three each of theatrical trailers, TV ads, and radio spots. English and Spanish are the spoken language choices, French and Spanish the subtitles.
Parting Thoughts:
I daresay anyone who had seen only the latest high-tech, slam-bang Bond outings with Pierce Brosnan would scarcely recognize "From Russia With Love" as a Bond picture. "From Russia With Love" is positively subtle by comparison. Nevertheless, the older movie provides probably more outright suspense and excitement than any of the newer concoctions. But rather than splitting hairs, maybe we could all agree that new or old, Bond is Bond, and the differences only point up the need for owning as many of the flicks as we can afford. "From Russia With Love" may be purchased separately or in a boxed set that also includes "You Only Live Twice," "Diamonds Are Forever," "Moonraker," "For Your Eyes Only," "The Living Daylights," and "The World Is Not Enough."
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]5444[/release]