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Parents' Guide to

From Russia with Love

By David Gurney, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Creative Cold War Bond thriller is best for teens and up.

Movie PG 1964 118 minutes
From Russia with Love Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Hannah B.
Hannah B. Parent of 3, 5 and 7-year-old
December 2, 2016
age 7+

The name's Bond.

From Russia with Love is in my opinion, one of the best Bond films made. There is some violence and implied sex, but it is mild in comparison to many modern films and even TV shows that children watch. I first saw this when I was about 6, my brothers 8 and 3 and personally a lot of Bond innuendo missed me then, as an adult we see things vastly differently. I would rate as 7 years plus simply as there is death and personally I think any younger is taking away a child's innocence, that said I thought they were pretending when I say it - the acting isn't the best.
gerbowski
gerbowski Parent of 2-year-old
October 31, 2012
age 12+

Classic James Bond

This movie is what Bond films are all about. If you only see one, or are picking one for your first experience, this is a good choice. As usual there is violence and sex, I mean come on, what would James Bond be without those? But there isn't any nudity or blood and guts, so most teens should be ok to see this one.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (44 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

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