- "What is Bond compared to Kronsteen?"
- ― Kronsteen to Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Tov Kronsteen (also known as Number 5) was a chess master but also the director of planning of the secretive criminal organisation, SPECTRE, who uses his immense intellect to create many of the society's schemes. Based on the character of the same name from the 1957 novel, From Russia, with Love, he was the tertiary antagonist in the 1963 James Bond film, From Russia with Love, and was portrayed by the late Polish actor, Vladek Sheybal. To date, across the franchise as a whole, there have been three individuals who have held the number "5".
Biography[]
From Russia with Love[]
- "As an added refinement, I think that SPECTRE would probably have the added chance of a personal revenge for the killing of our operative, Dr. No. Because the man the British will almost certainly use on a mission of this sort would be their agent, James Bond."
"Let his death be a particularly unpleasant and humiliating one."
"Good. I shall put my plan into operation straightaway. And there will be no failure." - ― Kronsteen to Ernst Stavro Blofeld
When he is first seen in the film, Kronsteen, in Venice, is participating in a chess tournament against the Canadian grandmaster MacAdams. During the tournament he receives a message from SPECTRE, hidden in the coaster of a glass of water served to him, which is typed "You are required at once". He then proceeds to make one more move, which makes MacAdams admit he has been checkmated. Kronsteen seems oblivious to the fanfare that arises from his winning the tournament, abruptly walking out and ignores the reporters and girls, although he has the grace to shake hands with MacAdams for a worthy game.
Kronsteen and Rosa Klebb speak to Blofeld
He then appears on a SPECTRE yacht where he meets with his superiors, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (#1) and Rosa Klebb (#3). Klebb says they know all about him, and he is chastised for concluding the chess match instead of running off immediately after receiving the message. Kronsteen then tells Blofeld that, as he was tasked, he created a plan to steal the Lektor from the Russians. He states that in order for his plan to work, they need a female member of the Russian Cryptograph Section in Turkey and the help of the British Secret Service. Klebb is ordered to select the woman in order to make the plan work. When Blofeld observes that MI6 may recognise that the plan is a trap, Kronsteen assures Blofeld that this will just make them more determined to acquire the Lektor. After assuring Blofeld that he has anticipated every possible outcome, Kronsteen tells Blofeld that his plan also ensures revenge for the death of SPECTRE operative, Julius No, because the agent used by the Secret Service to get the Lektor will be, naturally, the same one who killed Dr. No: James Bond. Blofeld instructs Kronsteen to ensure that Bond's death will be particularly unpleasant and humiliating.
Kronsteen is poisoned to death by Morzeny
After the failure of the mission, Blofeld calls both Klebb and Kronsteen before him, asking them what they have to say in their defence. Kronsteen blames Klebb for choosing the wrong people for the job whereas Klebb says that Kronsteen's plan was the reason for the failure; Kronsteen denies that his plan could be anything but flawless, as it was his own genius. After hearing both, Blofeld silences them and summons his agent Morzeny into the room while berating Klebb for the failure, apparently taking Kronsteen's side. Morzeny deploys a blade tipped with poison from his shoe, but most surprisingly stabs Kronsteen with it instead of Klebb as they had been led to believe. Kronsteen has little time to register his shock, as the poison immediately takes effect, managing only a look of disbelief towards Blofeld before he slumps to the floor. After Kronsteen has died, Blofeld remarks that his demise lasted 12 seconds and that one day they will have to create a faster working venom.
Personality[]
Kronsteen was well-dressed and had a cold and egotistical manner, and thought he was unbeatable because of his brilliant intelligence as a chess player and strategist. He had a chilling and humourless personality; his soft spoken voice was that of a calm and experienced intellect.
Behind the scenes[]
Director Terence Young wanted Kronsteen's portrayer to be "an actor with a remarkable face", so the minor character would be well remembered by audiences. This led to the casting of Vladek Sheybal, whom Young also considered convincing as an intellectual.[1] Sheybal was initially hesitant to take the role but was convinced by Sean Connery's girlfriend Diane Cilento.[2]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ (1999). From Russia with Love Ultimate Edition, Disc 1 [DVD]. MGM Home Entertainment. Retrieved on 17 October 2008.
- ↑ Field, Matthew (2015). Some kind of hero : 007 : the remarkable story of the James Bond films, Ajay Chowdhury. ISBN 978-0-7509-6421-0. OCLC 930556527.