 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
From Russia with Love
- Review Date: November 28, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 1964
Common Sense Media says
Creative Cold War Bond thriller is best for teens and up.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while there's no full-frontal nudity, this movie contains a lot sexual innuendo. The film is largely based around Bond's fondness for women and his casual attitude towards sex, so sexual double entendres abound throughout the film. The violence factor is high with explosions, fistfights, gun battles, and a strangling. The politics are cold war and likely to be completely baffling to younger teens.
What's the story?
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE is the second film in the legendary series, and as an early entry, it features a more serious-minded plot than the later Bond films (although the "bond girls" are out in force and worth a discussion). Bond (Sean Connery) expects his villains to be Soviet agents, in reality, they are a part of an autonomous crime cartel setting a trap for him. Ultimately, Bond joins forces with the Soviets, (rather politically progressive for the Cold War period), to fight the mysterious SPECTRE crime organization for a second time.
Is it any good?
It is in this film that James Bond seems to emerge as a particularly unique character, following the more disaffected Bond of Dr. No. While the plot gets somewhat obscured in a few rather befuddling dialogue exchanges, the charm of Connery as Bond is strong enough to keep the film mostly engaging. That said, the self-mocking tone of the later Bond films is missing, and there are moments where younger viewers, used to more fast-paced action films, may find themselves twiddling their thumbs while waiting for the next burst of action.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Bond's approach to women and the way the movie treats women in general. Why must 007's fondness for women be a weakness for him? Why do females seem to be cast as villains? Bond presumes that his enemies in the film are Russians. Ask your kids what they know about the Cold War. Who do they think the villains would be today?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Old Film with Old Views
I agree that the Bond character is chauvinistic in the sense that he perceives women as sexual conquests. The movie also has a scene where a domineering female villain is telling another female character to submit sexually to Bond (although it is a plot point). In that same scene, to me, there where was some slight lesbian innuendo in the villainess' mannerisms, but nothing overt.
The movie is violent, but not gory, reminiscent of the old westerns. People are shot, stabbed, and strangled. Killing, espionage, treachery are recurring themes in the film, but you can see much worse on TV.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Definitely on of the best 007 films.
My rating: PG-13 for some intense action violence and brief innuendo.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
December 16, 2009
AGE
a good movie
This is a good movie with tons of action. Although there is sexual behavior.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of the Best Bonds
From Russia With Love was released in 1963, so it's very different from Casino Royale's car chase and staircase fight. It is, however, a great spy movie - it is much more realistic as far as what a real MI6 or CIA agent might do. I've got to say, the first time I watched this, the ending came a little too abruptly for me, but I was left satisfied with the outcome. The opening sequence doesn't include singing (the next Bond, Goldfinger, was the first to do that), but it does keep the viewer mildly entertained as the credits project onto the bellies and thighs of dancers. Complex characters, fun gadgets, and another attempt by SPECTRE to gain control!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
good film
No problems for mature children over 7, might frighten kids under 7, but a good film.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
April 4, 2012
AGE
2 thumbs up!
my favorite 007 of all time
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | adventures |
| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Terence Young |
| Cast: | Lotte Lenya, Robert Shaw, Sean Connery |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 118 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 8, 1964 |
| DVD release date: | October 17, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
