From Russia With Love: SE
MGM / 1963 / 110 Mins / Rated PG

MOVIE
There's something about the old bond movies, I guess it's the seriousness about them compared to the later tongue in cheek movies that really makes them a must see.

From Russia with love would have to rank as one of my favorite Bond movies from my childhood and has remained so even to this day.

This time the SPECTRE organization is wanting to steal a secret Russian decoding machine and James Bond has to seize the decoder before SPECTRE does. But there is one problem, SPECTRE has sent out there best assassin to kill Bond.

Yet again From Russia With delivers a strong enjoyable cold war spy movie that is still as good nearly 40 years after it's release.

VIDEO
Considering that this movie is nearing 40 years of age, some allowances have to be made. 

For most of the movie the transfer was slightly soft which did detract from the overall enjoyment somewhat, but it isn't as bad as my old VHS version I have laying around.

Colors are well rendered for a movie of this vintage, they do fluctuate somewhat at times but this looks to be a problem with the original print rather than the transfer. There were no MPEG artifacts present.

Film artifacts on the other hand occurred quite often and did become slightly annoying as as white specks and lines popped there head up quite regularly.

Dr No. is framed at 1:85:1 and is 16:9 enhanced.

This is a single-sided, dual layer disc. The layer change occurs at 32:37 it is placed very well.
AUDIO

From Russia With Love is uses a Dolby Digital 2.0 mono soundtrack with no surround use or .1 subwoofer channel use.  

As this is a mono track the entire soundstage is based at the front but unlike Dr No. the dialog was not muffled in scenes with a lot of action going on.

It's just a pity they never re-mastered the sound into a 5.1 mix.
EXTRAS

Another Bond movie, another set of special edition extras. Cool! 

Audio Commentary - Various: Yet another audio commentary of spliced together interviews from the director and crew members and yet again a quite enjoyable track even though it does seem to have a stop start feel.

Documentary - Inside From Russia With Love: This is a great 30 minute documentary about all aspects of the movie and it's making. This is how all "making of" programs should be made. 1:33:1, Dolby Digital 2.0 

Documentary - Harry Saltzman: This is a 20 minute look at Bond producer Harry Salzman, quite interesting and a nice addition to the DVD. 1:33:1, Dolby Digital 2.0

Theatrical Trailers: Again another bunch on James Bon trailers. The first is the trailer for From Russia With Love. 1:78:1, Dolby Digital 2.0. Then there are movie trailers from the Bond double bill series. Firstly a Dr. No/From Russia With Love double bill trailer and then a From Russia With Love/Thunderball trailer. The double bill trailers are in 1:33:1 with Dolby Digital 2.0, all trailers could use a good scrub as they are very dirty.

Radio Spots: Like Dr. No, more cheesy radio spots accompany this disc. 3 in fact.

Photo Gallery: Over 100 black and white and color photos and posters from the movie. Good historical value.

8 Page Booklet: Your standard MGM booklet, nothing special.

Subtitles: Closed Captioned.

FINAL THOUGHTS
This goes to show that if a company puts there mind to it they can release a great DVD brimming with extras.
16:9 ENHANCEMENT DISC RATING

VIDEO:
AUDIO:
EXTRAS:

PLOT:
OVERALL:

REVIEW EQUIPMENT
Display: 48" Sony RPTV.
DVD Player: Panasonic A350 Player using S-Video Cables.
Receiver: Pioneer VSX-D508 Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.
Speakers: Accusound speaker system.

Copyright © 2000 by [Roger Ward].
Revised: 20 Oct 2000 15:57:18 +1100 .

DVD INFORMATION
Region Coding: Region 4
No of Discs: 1
OFLC Rating PG
Running Time: 110 Mins
Case Type: Clear Amaray
Release Date: 12/7/2000
Catalog Number:
List Price: $34.95
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
DISC SPECIFICATIONS
Disc Format: PAL
Disc Type: Picture Disc
Disc Format: SS-RSDL
Chapters: 32
Macrovision: Yes
Manufacturer: WAMO
VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS
Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
Anamorphic: Yes
Film Format: 35mm
SOUND SPECIFICATIONS
Dolby Digital:

2.0 Surround
DTS: None
PCM Stereo: None
Other: None
Languages: English
Subtitles: Yes
SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary: Yes
Theatrical Trailer: Yes (3)
Teaser Trailer: Yes
TV Spots: Yes (3)
Dolby Trailer: None
Documentary: Yes
Cast & Crew Bios: None
Deleted Scenes: None
Music Videos: None
DVD Rom Content: None
Collectable Booklet: Yes
Scene Access: Yes
Animated Menus: Yes
Production Notes: Yes
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