_**SPECTRE agents, Istanbul, Gypsies, beautiful women and the Orient Express**_

Agent 007 (Sean Connery) is sent on a dubious mission at Istanbul to possibly acquire a Lektor cryptography device from the Soviets via their consulate. Bond meets a naïve Russian beauty (Daniela Bianchi) that SPECTRE agent Klebb (Lotte Lenya) recruits to carry out their assassination plan with the help of a brawny Irish Assassin (Robert Shaw).

"From Russian with Love" (1963) is a solid sequel in the franchise highlighted by the Istanbul locations, the Gypsy sequence where two women have a catfight (Aliza Gur & Martine Beswick) and, later, a serious train scrap. In addition, Eunice Gayson returns for another cameo as Sylvia Trench and the flick closes with a thrilling clash with a helicopter and a boat chase.

Unfortunately, the story’s just not as compelling as “Dr. No” (1962). It’s my least favorite in Connery’s run, although it’s still a solid entry.

The film runs 1 hour, 55 minutes and was shot in Istanbul, Turkey; Pinewood Studios near London; and Crinan, Argyll & Bute, Scotland (finale helicopter and boat chase scenes).

GRADE: B-