But when it comes to timeless suits that cut a masculine figure, I’m gunning for From Russia with Love (1963) as an unsung Bond movie for classically handsome, understated and still-wearable suits.
From Russia with Love was the second film in the Bond series. It was directed by Terence Young, who also directed Bond’s film debut Dr. No the year before. Connery’s suits were made by custom tailor Anthony Sinclair, who made all of Connery’s suits during his run as James Bond. The suits were what was called a “Conduit Cut,” named after Conduit Street in London where Sinclair’s shop was located. The ones made for Connery had to be very specially sized to gracefully conceal the gun Bond strapped under his arm while elegantly complementing his physique.
Connery’s suits in From Russia with Love are fantastic. He showcased more suits in Russia than he did in Dr. No, with a wider variety of colors, fabrics and patterns. He even wears a beautifully cut dark linen suit on his arrival in Istanbul when he meets Ali Kerim Bey. Director Young clearly had a bigger budget for Russia than he did for Dr. No, but not enough money to turn the movie into a gimmicky, over-the-top free-for-all. This made for a polished, refined and elegantly restrained figure in 007.
Aside from the menswear, the movie is a smart, well-crafted blast with some unintentionally hilarious moments, most of which involve Lotte Lenya as S.P.E.C.T.R.E. operative Rosa Klebb. It also stars a platinum blond Robert Shaw (who also dons some great-looking suits) and a gorgeous Daniela Bianchi.
So there’s my vote for From Russia with Love as a great men’s style movie and an underdog of ultra-stylish Bond films.
FUN FACT: From Russia with Love introduces us to Boothroyd, a.k.a. “Q,” for the first time, indelibly played by the marvelous Desmond Llewelyn. Llewelyn reprised his role as the beloved “Q” in seventeen Bond films until his death in 1999.
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There’s also a pretty fantastic chambray shirt worn by a SPECTRE henchman towards the end! But gotta agree with you, all around underrated as a Bond movie, especially Connery’s style!
Incredibly interesting read, George! I’ve recently started a series on my blog profiling each film in succession, but it looks like I missed out on discussing some great fashion in that film! I guess it’s time to watch it again from a more fashion-conscious perspective.
Thanks! Check out the website The Suits of James Bond (http://thesuitsofjamesbond.com/). He goes deep.