Live and Let Die (1973)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

Guy Hamilton

Country

UK

Cast

Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Julius Harris, David Hedison, Gloria Hendry, Clifton James, Geoffrey Holder, Bernard Lee, Roy Stewart, Earl Jolly Brown, Lois Maxwell, Tommy Lane, Madeline Smith

Storyline

James Bond (Roger Moore) is sent to New York to investigate the mysterious deaths of several British agents. He soon senses that there is a drugs link between the notorious Mr. Big, and Dr. Kananga (Yaphet Kotto), the secretive owner of a small Caribbean island.

Opinion

After "Diamonds Are Forever" Sean Connery finally left the role of James Bond, the producers once again had the task of looking for a new James Bond and they went with Roger Moore. I'm sorry to tell ya, but he is not as bad as people say, nor is the film.

It may not be the strongest entry in the series by any means - original song excluded though -, but "Live and Let Die" manages to be both captivating and exciting. What else could you ask to a Bond flick?

The film can be basically divided into two parts. A more comical first part that seems aiming to make fun of the franchise with many references to previous entries - the fake funeral, the snake instead of the tarantula, Bond's adventures in the bar, and more. In the second part action takes over, just think of the long and spectacular boat chase and the crazy sheriff trying to capture Bond. 

However, the film is not flawless. The spy-story and thriller kind of become a noir that is not that bad after all, but the story becomes more and more surreal, and the death of the villain - don't worry, he isn't Blofeld - says a lot about the cartoonish turn the series is taking.

The theme song is spectacular though. Probably the best in the whole franchise. Former Beatles member Paul McCartney and Wings "Live and Let Die" is exciting and iconic at the same time, and it's played both in opening and closing credits. This beautiful rock song perfectly blends with George Martin's musical score.

Like I said before, this is Roger Moore's debut as James Bond, and he is not that bad. He actually does a great job, and his Bond is very different to Connery and Lazenby. He is more chilled and charming and humorous. I'm sure all the hate comes from Connery's fanboys. Yaphet Kotto makes a good villain, and Jane Seymour does a fine job as Solitaire.