Live and Let Die | In-depth Movie Review

Roger Moore's debut Bond adventure is in the reviewing crosshairs here. The film has quite a few plot holes and one-of-a-kind elements but has held up well in the minds of fans and the general public. Is that reputation deserved?
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[@garethdwright91]

It's amazing how young Moore looks in this one, despite being five years older than Connery was in Diamonds Are Forever.

[@hannah6034]

Yeah, Connery aged really quickly during his tenure, by diamonds he looked literally twenty years older than Moore here - two years later and, as you say , five years older. The shorter hair makes Moore look extra fresh faced, though he still does look almost as young in the next. It’s a real shame he ended up being one of those victims of eighties dodgy plastic surgery. Calvin is too polite to ever say much about it in his reviews but I actually find Moore’s appearance kind of distracting in the last two movies. It’s sad he didn’t let himself age naturally considering how he seemed to have the genes for it ...

[@mr.tramber]

@@hannah6034 Yes, Roger Moore really looks very young in his first 4 movies - in LALD he looks like 37 y.o, in the TMWTGG - same, in TSWLM - 40 y.o, in MR - 42 y.o. As for me, he started to look old in 1980, where in FYEO he looks like 48 y.o, in OP - 51-52 y.o, and in AVTAK - like 58 y.o.. But I disagree with your statement, that he looks bad in Octopussy, he still looks pretty good in this flick with his usual appereance, and he looks like a man in his early fifties. But in AVTAK I agree, he looks really very old and unfit, compare to his previous appereances. AVTAK is the only movie, where Roger really looks like his real age at the time of filming. You are right, if he hadn't done this plastic surgery, he would have looked much better, maybe the same, as he was in FYEO and OP. This is really terrible, because 2 years later, in 1987 he looked much better than in AVTAK.

[@adamcollins915]

@@mr.tramber Don't believe Moore looked unfit in AVTAK. He looked slim & had lost weight since Octopussy. However facially he looked too old. The film didn't help & Moore's performance was flat.

[@adamcollins915]

He did look youthful. Espescially for 1973 when people looked older & were less fit.

[@hkr0065]

Moore only started looking his age in FYEO. Father time eventually caught up with him. He still looked alright though until that awful face lift for AVTAK. And it's not like Moore stopped being handsome, but he just stopped being believable as Bond.

[@SolarDragon007]

In retrospect, Baron Samedi should've been in this film WAY more than he was.

[@colejohnsondrums]

So true he was an awesome charcter

[@oddjobplayzps4314]

@@thefonzkiss he deserved more than what he got

[@drspectre7756]

SolarDragon007 I wish he came back at some point in the series and died for good.

[@Layne618]

@@oddjobplayzps4314 I played the Goldeneye video game long before I saw any of the movies and I can remember that extra level where you faced off with Samedi. I remember reading in the Player's Guide about how Bond "crossed swords" with him in Live and Let Die, so I figured, "He must be pretty major." And then, many years later, I see the movie, get to Bond's "confrontation" with Samedi and after it's over, I'm like, "Well, that was disappointing."

[@tombennett3827]

SolarDragon007 I emphatically agree with you. He was a fascinating character, and Holder's height (6'6") and deep, resonant laugh helped to make him a menacing character. His connection with both the voodoo/Tarot and crime themes of the film made him an interesting character.

[@gregalonzo747]

In Roger Moore's, James Bond Diary, he explains the scene with Solitaire attempting to strike him. She was trying to distract the henchmen so he could try to escape.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

That's exactly what I figured.

[@charlesmarsh316]

That was always my impression of her behavior in the scene.

[@richjermy7930]

I have to be honest - I always thought Solitaire was just trying to distract the bad guys at the airport. Bond clearly has nowhere to go and it’s why she’s a beat behind him getting out of the cab as she’s trying to figure out what to do to save him.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Correct, and so blatantly obvious. Calvin overlooks the obvious and instead overthinks it to death.

[@SplotchTheCatThing]

I seem to remember her making it clear in a previous scene that her main concern was for her own safety. That whole sequence looked a lot like a calculated attempt to help Bond get away, while confusing the henchmen (who probably would have figured out that she was working with Bond by now) about her true allegiance. Also noticed seeing that clip again in here, that she didn't actually try to whack him with her purse at all -- it was well away from his face :) Meaning she only did that so Bond could grab it, and the henchmen's eyes would naturally follow the movement, as eyes tend to do.

[@wyattcorbin1629]

Jane Seymour’s hairdresser for this movie, whatever they were paid, wasn’t paid enough.

[@alanwarren7356]

Wyatt Corbin

[@tupaei01]

Her hair (and she of course...) is so very beautiful. She's one of the most gorgeous Bond girls and female stars of cinema ever. I think she and Carole Bouquet are the prettiest. I guess I just like brunettes and long hair...

[@sameerhafeez7029]

tupaei01 me too,

[@BATompsett]

@@tupaei01 I see you're also a man of culture.

[@tupaei01]

@@BATompsett Yes, sir.

[@EntropicDecayGaming]

18:18 I've always interpreted Solitaire's sudden change of heart as her trying to save face in front of Kananga's goons. She knows her betrayal of the villain will cost her her life and she desperately wants to make it come across as if she had no choice in the matter or she intentionally went through with it to lure Bond to the villains. Or maybe I'm reading WAY too much into this and, like you said, she was simply trying to give Bond a chance to escape. From a fellow J.W. Pepper fan, great review Calvin! "By the powers IN-vested IN ME by this Parrish, I hereby do commandeer this vehicle and all those persons within...And that means YOU, smartass!"

[@EntropicDecayGaming]

Also, side note, since you're re-reviewing a lot of the Bond films, I'd love to see an updated take on Goldeneye.

[@calvindyson]

EntropicDecay Gaming oh yes I’m going to be running through TMWTGG up to Spectre again 😁 and yeah the thing about Solitaire is weird. I would have appreciated just one close up of her looking nervous before going steely eyed and putting on the act. As it stands there just isn’t anything to indicate anything other than she just is glad that they’ve captured Bond!

[@samhodgson2262]

I see it sort of like a double bluff. Yes she is trying to endear herself to the villains so she won't be killed, but she strikes out at Bond knowing that he will retaliate in some way and give him an opportunity to escape.

[@alanmurrie]

EntropicDecay Gaming Yes, that’s always what I thought too - once captured she was trying to make it look like 007 had taken her against her will, to avoid/lessen punishment.

[@callawolf531]

I always thought the same. I actually figured she was a bit irked for not being fully rescued and allowed to be in Kananga's clutches again. I don't think it was actually a "hey, I'm a bad guy now, SURPRISE" moment, but rather, it's more like "How dare you be so careless and let me get captured again" moment. Keep in mind that the henchman says "there's a hell of a view of the lake from 10,000 feet" and that's when Solitaire speaks up and says "My only regret is that I won't be there to see it!" and THEN takes a swing and Bond. She's saying that she'd rather be up in the plane with Bond and taking that gamble of being free of Kananga or dying in a crash than to actually be back in Kanangas captivity again. She's mad at 007 for not getting her out of there. I don't think the scene needed a "wink wink" shot because I legitimately think she's mad, scared, and has lot all hope of being free again.

[@SuperGrumpyDaddy]

The guy running over the crocs 🐊 was the actual owner of the alligator farm, one Ross Kanaga!

[@davidjames579]

They were so impressed by him, they named the villain after him. In the book, the villain is just Mr Big alone.

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

Probably one of the coolest stunts from all the movies!

[@CaminoAir]

I think Solitaire's behaviour towards Bond on the airfield is intentionally to create a distraction giving Bond a chance to make a break for it, while also allowing her to try to maintain the illusion that she has nothing to hide from Katanga or his men. She knows exactly what she's doing and that is to aid Bond.

[@davidjames579]

I do wonder how she explains to Kanaga why she escaped with Bond. But yeah, I always twigged it was her attempt to help him, as she'd just heard he was going to be dropped from the plane. Something he probably couldn't avoid.

[@bsfishing7073]

My thoughts exactly

[@nathanspindel9353]

This man has absolutely the most polite and respectful chat on all of KZbin, kudos for not riding on a trend but genuinely becoming an expert on the subject, it shows and we all respect you for it

[@calvindyson]

Thanks so much, Nathan! Really kind of you to comment with this and I appreciate it a lot 😁😁

[@AlexPryrodny]

I think one feature of this movie I wish you expanded more on was that for much of the movie Bond feels out of place, walking and trying to blend in into a culture he doesn't understand, which possibly mirrors the difficulties of making a Bond movie with a new lead actor. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but perhaps they decided to make the transition less awkward by putting Bond in more awkward situations, making him an underdog, a fly in a spider's net for most of the movie to make us root for him just a bit more.

[@calvindyson]

That’s a great reading! Had really occurred to me until reading this but yeah, whether it was intention or not there are certainly parallels

[@randallrutherford1384]

@@calvindyson agreed!

[@rgerber]

I don't get how anyone could dislike Lazenby's acting, without any experience, he did extremely well. His fights feel real, his charme is great...

[@justisolated5621]

Yeah right?

[@meghanphillips3495]

I wish his manager hadn't advised him so badly. He could have grown into the part very nicely.

[@TheT3rr0rMask]

On top of that he's just a good presence for how Bond was portrayed in film. Bond did what he want- sneaking the baretta off M's desk, downplaying his skills before hipfiring a clay pigeon at Largo's, making Goldfinger think he won before revealing the wrong ball was played etc. He was like a devious cousin at a family party. Lazenby WAS that, and much of OHMSS's plot revolves around that side of Bond. Watch his casting documentary, read of behind the scenes stuff, and Lazenby really was that side of Bond and its how he found a lot of his successes in life. If anything it makes it believable since he's sorta playing himself in a way (including the player aspects, George was drowning in women before OHMSS). He feels really human, a biproduct of hiring a non-actor.

[@valueofnothing2487]

They had to loop over his lines, which made him come across quite poorly I think. But he also had very monotonic facial expressions. His jokes to me landed flat. And His Majesty Secret Service had a lot of ridiculous things in it - him pretending to be homosexual with all the women around. Just horrible. But surely he is the one Bond without a career. All other Bonds were able to have some sort of film career after Bond. So I think most of the people agree with me that he's a bad actor.

[@joshslater2426]

As has been said many times, Lazenby is a very wooden actor. He lacks the charisma and confidence of every Bond actor before and after. It’s very difficult to buy him as Bond as he’s just a bit too vulnerable. It doesn’t help that the film tries to big him up in somewhat unnatural ways.

[@BenCol]

Fun story: Moore stole the brush/communicator gadget prop from this film, and, while having lunch at BBC Television Centre, sold it to the ‘Doctor Who’ producers, who used it in the Tom Baker story ‘Revenge of the Cybermen’. He got paid quite nicely for it too. An attempt was later made to return the favour and have K9 make a cameo in a Bond film, but it didn’t come to anything, which lead to the creation of Snooper in ‘A View to a Kill’. Apparently the DW people weren’t too keen on K9 wandering in on Bond in the shower with Stacey Sutton, so the Bond people made their own robot dog instead. OK, so I made that last bit up, but the first paragraph is true.

[@calvindyson]

I don’t think I’d ever heard this story before 😂😂 I know he was a bit of a magpie when it came to pinching hotel towels and the like but I didn’t realise that extended to actual props!

[@davidjames579]

@@calvindyson In terms of freebies, I would like to announce here that part of Roger Moore's salary included an unlimited supply of (expensive) Monte Cristo Cigars for the duration of filming. Cubby regretted this as he didn't realise how many Rodge would go through! This is actually a fact, although it sounds like something from Would I Lie To You.

[@vordman]

Oh, thank god that never happened. I have a love/hate relationship with the Moore era as it is, but seeing K9 roll onto set would have pushed me over the edge.

[@toyotatacoma1616]

I’m mentally trying to re-edit that scene with K9 and it’s killing me. I’m sorta sad I don’t live in a world where this happened.

[@TerryOnTuesday]

@@calvindyson And in Revenge Of The Cybermen the brush radio was used by actor Jeremy Wilkin who played Forsyth in TSWLM.

[@TheQuietReader1920]

Oh I love this movie! It has one of my favourite lines (from Sheriff Pepper, of course): "...a secret agent? On whose side?!" :)

[@logandarklighter]

Sheriff Pepper almost should be put in the pokey himself - for GRAND THEFT SCENE STEALING!!! :D :D :D Seriously - I love his bits in the 2 movies he's in. :D

[@Jurassicprince]

Love this film so much. The only complaint, is I wish they used New Orleans more. Wish we got to see more of the New Orleans French Quarter, with maybe a chase or espionage scene with Bond, instead of just the two less-than-minute scenes we got.

[@hannah6034]

With you jack, I love this film too. Probably my favourite, indisputably top 3. One of those Bond films that’s a good spy story and fun movie to watch in its own right too. As opposed to say octopussy that I have a soft spot for but you do kind of have to make excuses for certain parts. I love all the US locations and totally agree i wish we’d seen more of New Orleans. I wouldn’t have minded more 70s NYC too - the boat chase could’ve been liberally shaved down, it’s the only bit I don’t like and gosh does it go on. Great girl, great villain, best Felix, best theme song and I know this isn’t a commonly held view but I think Moore is at his very peak in this and TMWTGG.

[@Plally06]

Great review Calvin. One of my favourite lines of the series comes from this film: “My name is.....” “Names is fo ‘ tombstones baby!” 😳😄 Also, I never noticed the 007 on the cards before, nice one!

[@davider6884]

Paul Lally I love that line too😂😂

[@speedracer1945]

I say that sometimes and people look at me stange .

[@davidrixson3171]

Live and Let Die is the first Bond film I ever saw in the summer of 1973 when I was 11 years old . We all knew Roger Moore from the Saint and the Persuaders and this film turned me into a huge Bond fan! Over the next 2 years my local Odeon cinema screened all the Connery films as double features. Back in those days you could stay in the cinema all day so I would sit through continuous showings of a double Bond feature . Great memories!

[@phillipgreen2082]

Yes I remember the bond double Bill's at the cinema great value for money in those days

[@davidjames579]

David Rixson Fantastic memories! Live And Let Die was also the first Bond film Sam Mendes saw.

[@paulrawes]

@@phillipgreen2082 The first double bill I saw was Thunderball and you only Live twice, and I was blown away.

[@daveroche6522]

"J.W., this here Limey's a secret agent" "SECRET AGENT????? ON WHO'S SIDE?" Realistic reaction, realistic dialogue - 'nuff said!

[@NelsonStJames]

"While he (Koto) will go much bigger later on . . . " I see what you did there Calvin.

[@TerryOnTuesday]

How could you not comment on Samedi's initial arrival from the grave, where Bond blows half of his head off? His eyes look up at the smoking cavity, then Bond blows the rest of him away. Was it an animatronic for show? Was it an example of Samedi's ability to come back from death time and time again? As a 13 yr old, that scene scared the bejeezus aout of me, and as I watched it yesterday (now aged 51), the effect still looks flawless. Creepy as all hell.

[@TheT3rr0rMask]

It's one of the best effects in the series for sure, wicked unsettling

[@thepatientgamer98]

*Day is Mediocre* Calvin uploads *Day gets better*

[@ckom0007]

“What are you? Some kind of doomsday machine boy!” That line is the among the funniest in cinema history! It could have been in ‘Mad Mad Mad Mad World’ and not been out of place! “Secret agent? On who’s side!” I could barely write that here I was laughing so hard!

[@logandarklighter]

I know! A couple of times watching this film, I've had similar thoughts that Sheriff Pepper would be perfectly at home in "It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World"!! Spot on, good sir! :D

[@ckom0007]

@@logandarklighter 😂

[@paulleow8017]

On the subject of George Martin doing the soundtrack: it's super fitting that he did the score for the movie while Paul McCartney did the main title theme, seeing as how Martin was producer on a lot of Beatles Albums and whatnot

[@Enmet]

The producers originally intended to have Paul McCartney do the film score but he was too expensive. The soundtrack for this film is truly remarkable. Although it's from as early as 1973, it's one of the most well-produced film scores I've ever heard with regards to mixing and audio-quality in general. Goes to show what a truly amazing producer George Martin was!

[@samjonestown2397]

I think Live and let die, is a well balanced Bond film, there’s a great combination of action, comedy, intensity. Moore convey’s a relaxed, charming, experienced bond, but still youthful enough to be believable. The soundtrack adds drama during the film and the title song is one of the better bond themes.

[@davider6884]

Live And Let Die will always be one of my favourites! It‘s got this very independend and different tone. Almost the entire cast is black. Kananga is a good and memorable villain! Solitaire is also fantastic! Tee Hee is great! A lot of characters are very memorable! But the first thing I usually praise on Live And Let Die is the music! This movie is nothing but pure ear-candy to me! The soundtrack of this movie is so ridiculously cool and awesome! It‘s my favourite Bond soundtrack ever! The title song is also extremely badass! When it comes to the music, I am positive that Live And Let Die will never be beaten! I mainly place it on spot 6 of my ranking list followed by GoldenEye. Sometimes I place GoldenEye on 6 and Live And Let Die on 7 but Live And Let Die comes first in most cases! I give it a 9/10!

[@calvindyson]

Loved reading this! Always great to read such enthusiasm when it comes to anything Bond :D

[@kkarx]

Loved this movie as kid especially the guy with hook was scary haha. While 60s Bond is dream like, this is like return to bleak reality. After rewatching it I have to say it did not have the same impact but yeah it isikinda kinda special entry in the serie. Man with the golden gun is quite similar in style but the spy who loved me returned to dreamy looks.

[@equaltocody]

About Tarot cards, as they relate to this movie and bond- Tarot cards and playing cards come from the same deck. There are four suits in each (petancles, Wands, swords, cups vs diamonds, hearts, clubs, spades). In addition to these cards called the minor arcana there are more cards called major arcana with names that are more recognizable. All the cards you see in the movie are major arcana, as well as easy to interpret cards. It's a story telling concession, it's more likely that most cards would be lesser arcana as they make up the bulk of the deck. But if bond threw down a six of pentacles it might be apt but would bog the story down. It's less about actual tarot and more showing a parrallel between solitaire and bond. Bond is the king of western playing cards, She's the queen of tarot cards. He's impeccably dressed and with perfect hair as is hers, ect. Solitaire is a great character visually and thematically.

[@rafachrzaszcz6997]

It's nice somebody talks here about the cards! So I think you know how big mistake the scriptwriters made with literal interpretation of cards "The Death" and "The Lovers" 😁

[@garrick3727]

Yaphet Kotto (RIP) - A great actor and one of the best Bond villains.

[@cooperwolfe5478]

I agree. Personally he’s a top 10 Bond villain of all time.

[@runevverhartvig6340]

These reviews are why I follow you on Patreon. I like your stuff, but it is these reviews that really puts the nail in the coffin. They are just so entertaining, well-argumented and thorough! Carry on, Calvin Dyson, and you’ve got my continued support!

[@calvindyson]

Rune Væver Hartvig thanks so much for this, Rune 😁 I shall double up efforts to cover TMWTGG soon so there isn’t too much of a break between the actual film reviews. Hope you continue to enjoy and I seriously can’t THANK YOU enough for the Patreon support

[@runevverhartvig6340]

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond Thank you for thoughtful answer! With that kind of community interaction I wouldn’t dare withdrawing my pledge 🤩 now hurry on, I’m eager for TMWTGG!

[@sashaking1115]

I agree!!! Calvin’s reviews are my favourites

[@ChristianBaleBatman]

My favourite Bond movie. Roger Moore is great as 007. He is such a gentleman, so sophisticated, debonair and even a little bit arrogant. Besides I love this review. Finally someone who praises the movie and talks positively about it. I was shocked when I saw a video on youtube listing all the bond movies (best to worst). LALD was ranked at the bottom as one of the worst movies (video by Looper). I mean, how can you not see that LALD is a cinematic experience: The villains are superb (Yaphet Cotto and Geoffrey Houlder are amazing), the setting is beautiful (Jamaica, New Orleans and New York) and the chemistry between Moore and Hedison...

[@chrismc410]

Its not arrogance if you can back it up.

[@uncannyx]

Roger Moore is a great Bond. Live and Let Die has some of my favorite artwork, I have the soundtrack on vinyl and it's hanging on my wall.. and I love that line "who's funeral?", "yours..."

[@davidjames579]

Always think that sequence is like something out of a Hitchcock film.

[@davidjames579]

Yes, I remember seeing LALD for the first time. I was 10, and I remember being shocked by Mr Big revealed to be Kananga. I was actually anticipating a scene where B and K interact with each other! As a side-note, I love how Bond's goading of Big, seems to push Kananga to reveal. Almost like he thought as Big, he could get the answers from Bond, and he hadn't planned to un-mask. Love Bond's lines: "I didn't know you were so scared of him". "I don't talk to Lackies". It totally riles Big up. Also, Roger's reacting, after the un-masking, saying "That's a turn-up for the books", but not losing his cool.

[@calql8er]

It was not an act of betrayal on Solataire's part. She was creating a diversion for him to escape. One of the few bad moments was Kanaga's death. It was silly and the producers should have know better. Great final fight scene between Bond and Teehee. And that final shot of Baron Samedi - luv it!!!

[@horrorfanandy4647]

@@grantmalone I can overlook it, but that might just be nostalgia talking. Tbh, having it offscreen with a Bond reaction shot in place, whilst cheap, would: 1) Make what happens far more horrifying, as it’s left to your imagination. 2) Gets rid of that truly _terrible_ effect. I still to this day don’t know what they were thinking!

[@imfsresidentotaku9699]

​@@horrorfanandy4647 Having Kananga's death offscreen wouldn't line up with what the series established, showing the big bad go out in a big, bad way, so it's obvious what they were thinking. If you "don’t know what they were thinking," you have failed at watching James Bond. It's not a "truly terrible effect." It's pretty competently done, appropriately explosive, and fitting of the tone of the film, not to mention satisfying. They made a dummy of Kananga, inflated it, and blew it up. That gets the job done, I think. I don't think there was any way they could've created the effect in 1973 without making it too graphic or less convincing. And it's not like the way Kananga is killed is exactly unreasonable, considering that the kind of bullet that Bond stuffed in his mouth blew up a couch in similar fashion just a few minutes earlier, so the doctor's explosive demise doesn't come out of nowhere, but rather was set up ahead of time. Setting up the anti-shark bullets in this manner makes it clear that they're going to come into play in the climax, and what better way to do that than use one of them to deliver the killing blow? As the Chekhov's gun principle states, "One must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn't going to go off. It's wrong to make promises you don't mean to keep." It's not even out of the ordinary for Bond baddies to go out in such a big, bad way. I mean, in this series, there are villains who are boiled alive, burned alive, shredded, electrocuted, harpooned, crushed, devoured by sharks and piranhas, dropped from dizzying heights, sucked out of airplanes, and ejected into space, but blowing up like a balloon is where we draw the line? Suuuure. Also, this is a James Bond film in which supernatural events occur. I'd say a suspension of disbelief is required. Besides, never blame nostalgia for overlooking it. Nostalgia is your friend. Let it hold your hand. It will make things all the more enjoyable. And never refer to it in a condescending manner.

[@imfsresidentotaku9699]

So, you're saying that "the producers should have know better" than to kill off the big bad in a big, bad way, something that's on par with the course for Bond films? Who are you to second guess them on how to create an exciting climax? Even if you want to call it "silly," it wouldn't exactly be out of place with the film's camp.

[@horrorfanandy4647]

@@imfsresidentotaku9699 Don’t get me wrong, I love the moment (this was my first James Bond film after all) but when I look at it out of context the effect looks completely ridiculous even by James Bond standards, it not the fact he blows up like a balloon, because you’re right, there are more ridiculous things that happen, it’s simply how cheap it looks, it feels like they were cutting a corner there. I don’t mind, it doesn’t break my immersion at all, and the film is brilliant, but I just think there were better ways to do it even back then, regardless of how seriously you take the film, because it *looks cheap.* I love nostalgia, but I have to be subjective as well. Still a top 5 Bond film however!

[@LordMelbury1953]

Roger Moore saved Bond. We would not be here discussing Bond if not for him.

[@nitsuagaming6121]

Which im grateful for that but hes my least favorite bond he isn't bad just to campy for my taste

[@southlondon86]

@@nitsuagaming6121 You really think Lazenby was better? With that stupid sped up ‘fight’ scene & his dumb quip to the camera?

[@nitsuagaming6121]

@@southlondon86 most bonds are better then moore in my oppinion and that wasn't a bad movie the fourth wall break joke was stupid though

[@southlondon86]

@@nitsuagaming6121 Moore’s movies are far more exciting and memorable. The stories, villains, gadgets, Bond girls. Even with the cheesy one liners, they are far more interesting than anything dalton or craig has done. Craig is the ugliest Bond and his movies are so boring!

[@nitsuagaming6121]

@@southlondon86 hes also the most book accurate bond though aside from the bad writing in later creig films its all a matter of oppinion though

[@BenCol]

My favourite line is when M says: “If you don’t mind, Commander... my spoon!” I don’t know why M cares about his spoon so much, but it makes me laugh that he does.* Anyway, this film definitely is one of those ones which is better if you don’t think about the plot too hard. I mean, why were MI6 investigating Kananga in the first place again? Was Kananga even threatening Britain? All his drugs were going to the States. Perhaps if San Monique was a Commonwealth nation, but it sounds as if it was a former French colony (like Haiti) as opposed to a British one. Either way, it marks the first use of drug trading in a Bond villain’s scheme, long before Dalton’s films ran with it. Oh that Tim, always stealing Rog’s schtick! Heck, not only is Sanchez a drug baron, but he lives in a made-up country just like Kananga! Perhaps they were friends. *It always reminds me of when U2 appeared on ‘The Simpsons’ and Adam Clayton “got a Springfield spoon for his spoon collection”, and that “if I didn’t have my spoons, I’d go insane.”

[@calvindyson]

BenCol good point about MI6 and Kananga... funnily enough, that thought came to mind when I read the book but it never really bothered me so much in the film!

[@evilubuntu9001]

If the villain's modus operandi was hiding pirate treasure in shark tanks to finance covert global Soviet spy operations, the plot might have been slightly more plausible.

[@davidjames579]

Well, Hamilton (nod to the director) was on loan to The CIA. So, there's a link???? I was also impressed at M's local knowledge. He knows there's a perfectly adequate watchmaker, just down the street. Or did he waste MI6 resources to find out?

[@ericovalle8737]

At the very least, the UK ambassador was murdered.

[@MorganOwen8958]

I have always loved this movie. It is easily one of Moore’s best. It has great action sequences with the boat chase being a standout. Moore gives an excellent debut performance and Yaphet Kotto’s Kananga is a great Bond villain and Jane Seymour’s solitaire is a great Bond girl. The film also has great henchman in Tee Hee and Baron Samedi. The film also has an awesome theme song.

[@richardfuchs3690]

LALD has always been one of my go-to Bonds that I can watch almost any time. Despite some short comings, it's still very fun and entertaining, and it established Roger Moore in the role very well. It was also great to see so many black actors and stunt people being featured so prominently. It's certainly much more progressive than the book in it's attitude towards the black characters.

[@georgejones8481]

The funeral procession assassination is the most over the top, implausible and has so many mitigating circumstances to fuck it up but I love it 😂😂

[@BigMack1959]

I always took it that at the airfield Solitaire acted like that to cause a distraction to let Bond escape.

[@AcaciaMovies]

“Get over it love, it’s only your virginity” 😂 16:35

[@senorincredible]

I like this movie more with every viewing. It's a great, solid start from Moore who looks decidedly fresh-faced and youthful compared to Connery in DoF (despite being the same age!) Jane Seymour is ridiculously beautiful and Solitaire had some interesting concepts as a character which could have done with more exploration. Likewise Kananga, who is a very interesting villain with a plausible scheme, but I don't think we saw enough of. It's just generally great to, as you say, see Bond as a fish out of water for much of this movie. The title song is one of the best, and the movie balances humour and action and drama much more effectively than its predecessor and successor. Not a fan of Sheriff Pepper though!

[@senorincredible]

Also - "names is for tombstones, baby" is such a cool line!

[@oswaldavio3498]

15:06... Kananga's reaction to Solitaire's cheeky answer to his question... epic!

[@expendableindigo9639]

I totally remember the Kanaga/Mr. Big twist impacting me, and I loved the absurdity of it. It also simplifies the plot quite a bit that we don't have too many villains, I mean there's already SO many henchmen in this film who don't get much screen time. I thought they did a decent job of insisting enough times that Mr. Big is a thing, to the point where you remember it, but then when the twist is revealed you realize that's why they kept mentioning him. They didn't NEED to do it by any stretch, but it's it does stick on in my mind as one of the better twists in the series.

[@bittmanbobby]

I could tell something was up in Mr. Big's first scene. His face looked fake AF

[@hekkie6082]

Although I understand the fact that many people like LALD, it's just not really my cup of tea. No idea why, but it's just all a bit too slow and "voodoo" for me to enjoy it as much as most of the Moore films. Don't get me wrong, I still like this one and it deserves the praise to get Bond back on track after DAF. Funny enough I do like TMWTGG very much and hope one day people will give it some more credits. Anyway, great review again Calvin! Thank you very much for your indept thoughts, opinions and high-lighting some goofy moments again.

[@calvindyson]

Gosse Drent thanks very much, Gosse! I can understand why people would feel the way you do. To be honest, I didn’t really consider until this watching how few standout action moments there are. It’s quite tame in that regard really. Obviously the boat chase at the end is a big set piece but aside from that a lot of the action is quite tame.

[@aaronmastriani1556]

Moore and Hedison had great chemistry together in ffolkes/North Sea Hijack and The Naked Face (which is probably the darkest and definitely the most brutal film Moore did). Would love to hear your thoughts on both of those.

[@calvindyson]

I do need to check out more of the two of them together!

[@johnkennethwiseman682]

@@calvindyson You have to see Naked Face. There is some great screen sharing between Moore and Hedison.

[@scottjo63]

ME TOO, fFolkes fFolkes.fFolkesfFolkes fFolkes PLEASE. Here again under North Sea Hijack kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoG0ppRmfcxqhJY. And don't forget Anthony Perkins as the bad guy. You know James Bond vs Norman Bates. With an ending that will give you goosebumps guaranteed. Meow. Unfortunately The Naked Face may not be so easy to find. That movie is also with rod steiger, an art Carney.

[@aaronmastriani1556]

The Naked Face also has Moore's friend and Escape to Athena co-star Elliott Gould.

[@Clay3613]

@@calvindyson The Man Who Haunted Himself is great too. The first instance of moving mattes used for doubling an actor.

[@ObsessedCollector]

Hitting Bond with the bag was intentional. Solitaire knew she was gonna die by Mr Big if she let them kill Bond. By creating the distraction, she knew Bond could have a chance to get away and possibly kill the baddies setting her free. Plus she was in love with Bond.

[@piotrbugaj5179]

I've actually always interpreted Solitare's behavior, when she hits Bond with her back, that she came up with an idea for causing a commotion and help Bond escape in a way that wouldn't raise suspicions from the other henchmen.

[@Lichtenhammer]

I remember being pleasantly surprised by the scene in which Dr. Kananga took his Mr. Big mask off when first watching the movie. During Mr. Big's first scene, I remember 13 year old me being like "Who's this Mr. Big guy? He seems brutish and not very smart. Give me more scenes with Dr. Kananga, he seems like a fun villain!", so when it was later revealed that they were the same person, I actually really liked that twist. On an unrelated note, I really enjoyed the comedy bits you inserted here and there, such as M's heart being ripped out by Bond's watch or you being hit by Bond's cigarre.

[@vinson1445]

Bond isn't quite the same anymore because he's loved and lost. It changed him, and he'll continue to lose his rough edges as the series continues. Also, the guy on the barrels jumps off because there's a plane headed in his general direction. Glad to see you still re-reviewing the movies.

[@thewickerman4083]

Yet another great review Calvin. I am in total agreement. I love Live and Let Die and find it to be one of the most entertaining Bond films. I am always a little confused when I see it ranked low down on fans Bond rankings, but that's what makes being a Bond fan so interesting, there is a Bond film for everybody.

[@alexojideagu]

The Fillet O Soul Bar is actually showing the bad guys as far more street wise. This part is the most naive Bond has ever been shown. He has almost zero self awareness and doesn't know what "Waste him" means. He's almost at Pink Panther levels of ignorance, stumbling through and miraculously escaping. Blissfully unaware how much he stands out.

[@tomchris60]

Calvin's oddball wit along with his razor sharp analysis makes these Bond reviews truly special. The improved sound quality and use of excellent source materials is a plus.

[@calvindyson]

Thanks, mate :D :D Very much appreciate that, hope you continue to enjoy the videos!

[@goops1071]

‘Just browsing thank you’ is exactly what I say too. Every time a shop assistant asks can I help you. Thats been around 21 years now since I first saw LALD on itv as a kid

[@jeremylpcollier]

I love Live and Let Die, and I watched it yesterday and was blown away that Mr Big & Kananga were the same person, I suppose after so many years I just forgot that detail. As the mask peels away I just sat there like... 'what the heck!?' 😂🤣

[@gocsa]

You deserve a "like" on this video just for that cigar animation alone lol. Great review as always, Calvin.

[@bradbruhn9586]

...moments like that are why I watch Calvin

[@zanemurcha2675]

Fitting that you upload the Paul McCartney song movie on the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road album being released.

[@michaelcallaghan4336]

Controversial statement: America has never looked good on screen in a Bond film.

[@samclark379]

Interesting point of trivia: the sheriff from "Diamonds Are Forever" only had one other movie credit in his career, and it was "Live And Let Die", in which he also played a police officer.

[@davidjames579]

Just looked him up on IMDB, and weirdly his main career was in Transportation on movies. Strange how he ended up playing two Sheriffs in Bond films! Although he isn't at Clifton James' level, I love the disappointed look he gives Bond in Diamonds when approaching the car. Not Angry, Just Disappointed. Another bit of triv: The actor who plays the waiter who takes Bond's order in the Harlem Fillet Of Soul also played Che Che, Draco's henchman who Bond has a fight with in the hotel room. He later would play a member of Stromberg's crew. His name is Irvin Allen, which is similar to Irving Allen, Cubby Broccoli's first business partner, who told Ian Fleming that the Bond novels weren't good enough for TV, let alone movies! Years later, he produced the Bond apeing Matt Helm films.

[@rafachrzaszcz6997]

He also played that kind of sheriff in 1976 "Silver streak" - a very nice comedy with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. There also another Bond character. Richard Kiel... with his steel jaws!!! It was a year before "The spy who loved me" so i think they adapted this character to James Bond franchise.

[@samclark379]

@@rafachrzaszcz6997 You're thinking of Clifton James. I'm referring to Leroy Hollis, whose only two acting credits are the ones I mentioned.

[@rafachrzaszcz6997]

@@samclark379 okay, I know! He played another sheriff in LALD

[@active85858585]

18:10 - I always interpreted Solitaire's actions when striking at Bond to be borne out of self-preservation and survival. Solitaire is terrified of Kananga and knows full well the repercussions if ever he thought that she had betrayed him. So when his goons capture them, she is performatively wishing for Bond's death in order to convince Kananga, through his goons, that she was an unwilling accomplice to Bond.

[@300kapslar]

I saw it as a kid in the early 80's on VHS and it became my most favourite Bond movie. Here in Sweden they censured the cutting in arm scene, the ratio was 4:3 so the cutting was out of frame, I was verry surprising in the later 80's when FilmNet showed the movie with the cutting vissible. :)

[@Protoman85]

18:25 I thouht Solitaire attacked Bond there just in order to not have it look like she was with him, to avoid getting killed by Kananga later

[@robertharvey2604]

I had not seen this film in a long time and I was surprised when I watched it again how the campiness wasn't overdone. Sure there was Pepper but I liked him. The worst bit was Kananga's death, otherwise this was a great improvement over Diamonds. Very debut and the cast is great. Kananga is a strong villain, the henchmen are outstanding and Solitaire is a bit wishy-washy but Jane Seymour is a great actress. The cast really sells this one. The boat chase is epic. Overall, this is one of my favorites.

[@imfsresidentotaku9699]

Kananga's death is far from "the worst bit."

[@rocky-o]

good evening mr. dyson...i gotta tell you...it doesn't matter what you talk about...movies, books, swimming with pierce, hugging a bond girl, whatever...it's always so enjoyable to watch your videos over and over again...thank you so much for everything...be well...stay safe...peace...rocky

[@calvindyson]

This was a really lovely and awesome thing to read, thank you very much, Rocky. Had a bit of a crappy day so this really lifted me up. Thanks 😊 I hope you’re staying safe and healthy too

[@rocky-o]

@@calvindyson ...today is o.k.....tomorrow never dies......

[@angelcastaneda529]

You will always be the Weekly Bond guy to me, Agent Dyson.

[@Chronocrits]

I’m of the opinion that she pretended to betray bond because she knew those henchman would have been told not to touch her. Her feeble hit with the bag is the perfect set-up for a distraction that lets him get the jump on the bad guys. That’s how I’ve always seen it. Great recap as always bud.

[@dalebaker9109]

Your the best, but I really don't have to tell you this. The review is superb, I love the film and the theme tune. The good thing, is for once Roger Moore looks young enough for the role, at this point, but time was not kind to him, he was great as bond. I had the pleasure of meeting Roger in 2007, he was a gent, I got his autograph, which I treasure.

[@calvindyson]

Dale Baker I’ve honestly never heard a bad word said about Roger. He sounds like he was just a class act in every way. Proper gentleman. And thanks for the kind words!! Really appreciate it 😁😁

[@dalebaker9109]

@@calvindyson thank you Calvin, i am so honoured with your reply.

[@rivalflash4569]

“Who’s she even waving to?.... Oof!” 😂😂😂

[@kuribayashi84]

> Why the Jump? Holy shit, I never noticed that!

[@nathanbarnes8535]

A someone else pointed out on another video, the reason why we see Samedi at the end is because he represents death, and death follows Bond everywhere. He will never be rid of it.

[@zanemurcha2675]

The acting in that finale shows that Jane Seymour is much more than a pretty face... and body... and legs.

[@Clay3613]

To quote CIA Agent Stan Smith, "Jane Seymour from behind, Jane Seymour from behind...".

[@chrischibnall593]

Salvador Dali was commissioned to design a tarot deck for this film, but the producers didn't like the one he produced (this was later published as the "Salvador Dali" tarot). The one that appears in the film is known as the "007 Solitaire Tarot". It is strange, though, that in some of the shots, these are replaced by the classic Rider-Waite Tarot (images from which also appear in the "Oh Cult Voodoo Shop")

[@kristanjohnson6084]

I really like LaLD, it's higher up in my ranking of Bond films. Jane Seymour performs very well and is so beautiful. The watch gadget and it's uses is one of my favorites. The villains are fun, and I like how there is something eerie and unexplained about Baron Samedi. You comment on it a little with his last appearance at the end of the film, but there's a little more there in his fight at Solitaire's sacrifice. There's this weird moment where Bond shoots his head off one moment, and then he rises again from the grave fully intact before being thrown into a coffin of snakes. I read the end appearance as just a bit of fun, too, rather than take it literally. I commend you for sticking to your guns about Sheriff J.W. Pepper, he isn't as fun for me but if you get a kick out of him that's great! One thing that is really fun and fascinating is having had the chance to read some of the original Flemming novels, and being able to compare how different some of the novels are to their movie counterparts.

[@coolcat20million]

Dear Calvin: Great Video. I'm not sure if I'd made this comment before, but I saw LALD in the movie theatre when the film first came out in 1973. I was about 16. The scene where Bond escapes in the New Orleans airport never confused me. From the first time I saw it, I thought Solitaire was helping Bond by taking an obvious swing at him. She was intentionally creating a diversion. Perhaps, as you suggest, a short glimpse of Solitaire's expression beforehand, where she would show her thought process might have helped to clarify her actions. But in my opinion it really isn't necessary. I naturally presumed her intention was to help Bond escape. Not necessarily to show the "bad guys" that she was being held by Bond against her will, but because she was now on Bond's side.

[@jackmessent3490]

Great review Calvin, Roger Moore is my favourite Bond as well! :)

[@Cybernetika3]

Finally the live and let die review that I was expecting

[@DyrianLightbringer]

I always assumed that Baron Samedi was just an actor/henchman playing the role of a voodoo entity. When Bond blows his head open and proceeds to dismantle him in his first appearance in the graveyard, I assume Samedi had to know that Bond wasn't out of ammo yet, and sent up a dummy. Notice it doesn't move, except for the eyes. Then he rises up out of the grave and actually attacks Bond, and when he gets thrown into a coffin filled with snakes, he writhes around as if he's getting bitten, but what if those snakes aren't venomous? The voodoo wolf-man takes the same snake out of the coffin in both scenes. Maybe it's the only venomous snake in there, so wouldn't have been in the coffin when Samedi landed in it. So, quite possible Samedi could have survived, though why he's sitting on the front of a train engine instead of helping Teehee kill Bond is anyone's guess.

[@wrestlingbuff87]

I've come around on the Kanaga/Mr Big reveal but the problem is while they are filmed separate, they're always around the same henchmen. Bond interacts with them individually so it would make sense, him not putting the two together. It's just the structure of the film itself, I think serves as the problem overall. Great review Calvin and love you're redoing these!

[@aryaniyer1147]

I would love to see your new and fresh opinion on LTK after your Fleming novel phase😉

[@samharrison5058]

I really enjoy this film. Roger Moore is my favourite Bond and this is a great start to his era.

[@thomsboys77]

Sheriff Pepper looks a bit like how Goldfinger is described in the novel

[@Evaunit98]

The bond films have been playing weekly on the BBC recently and I watched live and let die again, I used to think I was my least favourite Moore outing but now it’s shot up to as good as man with the golden gun (my Personal opinion don’t come after me) I loved it, Moore’s bond was always about a fun romp through exotic locations, that’s why he’s my favourite bond, he wasn’t always super serious, I can always get fun out of his adventures

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I think Solitaire's moment of anger on the airfield was due to disappointment in Bond--he said he'd protect her from Kananga but they didn't get fifty miles on the mainland until they were captured. She was angry that Bond failed in his promise and now she was going to be shipped back to Kananga, probably to her death.

[@rafaelfiallo4123]

After watching your review, its interesting to note all the similarities between Live and Let Die and Dr.No, almost as if they went back to the first movie for good luck-Agents killed abroad in a with the use of something funeral related, the hearse driving killers and the Jazz funeral, Bond is entertains a lady at his apartment, he gets his equipment from M, no Q, he flies off on Pan Am, his driver dies en route from the airport, Felix Leiter is involved in the plot, a dangerous animal tries to get at Bond in his hotel room. Quarrel, double crossing woman, the villain uses something mystical to scare people away from his area, the dragon in Dr.No vs Voodoo in Live and Let Die, even Kananga's underground lair is reminiscent of Dr.No's fish tank lair. For as nuts as some of the plot seems, there are parallels to real events from the time. San Monique and Dr. Kananga seem to be clearly based on Haitian President Dr. Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, President of Haiti from 1957-1971 who created a cult of personality around himself and claimed that he was the physical embodiment of the island nation. He also revived the traditions of Voodoo, later using them to consolidate his power with his claim of being a Voodoo priest, himself. In an effort to make himself even more imposing. Duvalier deliberately modeled his image on that of Baron Samedi one of the spirits of Haitian Voodoo. I also always thought it was a little creepy when they mention "Mrs.Bond" in this movie involving voodoo and the un-dead..... Where as Mr. Big is based on the big time heroin New York heroin dealers like Nicky Barnes and Frank Lucas from the film American Ganster, who was also trying to monopolize the drug trafficking business by selling purer heroin at lower prices, undercutting the American Mafia. After Kananga tells Bond that "he and the phone company will be the only 2 growing monopolies in the country for years to come"-a great line, Bond replies by saying that it would make certain number of "families" very upset, all sort of based on real events. You could sandwich Live and Let Die between The French Connection and American Gangster and it would sort of make sense. Its also interesting to note how much they try to avoid using Connery tropes with Moore in this movie, kind of the opposite of what they did with Lazenby in OHMSS, where in the first 10 minutes of the movie you see Lazenby in a tux, smoking cigarettes, driving an Aston Martin, playing Baccarat etc. Moore doesn't wear a tuxedo in this movie, doesn't smoke cigarettes, doesn't even have a scene playing Baccarat until 1981's For Your Eyes Only.

[@Harryeaster]

One of my favorite Bond's ever. Yeah, you can make a good case, that the bad guys being all black is troubeling, but damn they are so cool, especially Tee-Hee and the Baron Samedi (whose namesake became of my favorite mythological beings ever). Love those guys, love this movie. Good review, as always!

[@davidjames579]

It always seems a weird objection, as if Bond went up against The Mafia, of course they'd all be Italian, for instance. Or The Triads would be Chinese. The All Black People Are Villains Prejudice is actually played as a prank on the audience twice, by both Strutter the CIA agent and Quarrel Jr being suggested initially as villains. Kanaga is able to manipulate through creating a stereotypical Black villain in Mr Big, while his true self is far more intellectually strong. We should instead be happy at such interesting Bond villains, and a main villain, equivalent to Blofeld, played by a Black actor. In 1973!

[@Harryeaster]

@@davidjames579 That's the other side isn't it? Black actors as competent adversarys and not just as cheap carricatures. And this movie was already a step-up compared to Fleming's book, but in the context of the time it could also been an attack on Blaxploitation and the results of the civil right movement and whatnot. Like I said, you can make a good case for this movie being racist, but it's also true what you said. Personally I tend more on the side of the awesome, even if you have to add "...for it's time." And yes, the actors were all great, no doubt it. like I said, I love Tee Hee and the Baron very much :D.

[@davidjames579]

@@Harryeaster Obviously with it being a Bond film, the hero is White. But if say the focus was switched to Strutter investigating Mr Big's operation (as he is), it would make the film akin to Shaft, and therefore not seen as racist. Shaft fights oppressors of all races, including Black ones.

[@Giantdaz72]

Mr Big working out of Harlem without a diversity and inclusion manager is disgraceful 🤣

[@trevor-johnsen]

The villains are black, but I don't see that as vilifying as they are totally bad ass. Baron is amazing and "can not die" and Kananga is intelligent and spectacular. Rosie is SO hot. Strutter is on Bond's side. I wasn't around in the 70's and I'm not black, but the cultural aspects of Harlem & the Caribbean are shown as fascinating and cool - not as disrespectful and negative.

[@nilsmuninsheim4279]

To defend the ‘not convincing snake-bite shot’ at the beginning of the film I think this was on purpose and shows that the author dug himself surprisingly deep into the matter, actually. I’d presume this ritual shall depict something aptly named ‘voodoo death’ (though it is not specific to this culture alone), which means ‘sudden death brought about by a strong emotional shock, such as fear’ as Wikipedia states it.

[@samulihapponen6228]

Brilliant review mate, Live and let die is one of my favourite Bond films

[@astrosquirrel5038]

I always come away mixed with this film. In many ways it's a blast and a good romp, yet it feels a bit disjointed and unsteady in places as well. Moore is excellent and helps elevate the film above any problems it may have.

[@rainman1768]

Always love your movie reviews Calvin and these redo reviews are great shows a more in depth look at the movies and a greater analysis overall. Can't wait for the man with the golden gun review and the ones after that.

[@calvindyson]

Thanks very much! Yeah I think I've grown a lot since those early reviews and I'm much more pleased with this recent format style. Glad to hear you like it too! Going to have LOTS to talk about with TMWTGG!

[@ozymanwriter6131]

Hard to believe story time: This was my first cinema experience, and my first big screen movie, and how I loved it. LOVED IT. Now-a-days my parents would be locked-up for re-education and I would be send for counseling for the next ten years! I was around FIVE-years-old at the time. I cannot imaging having let my six-year-old son watch this. LALD is burned into my memory, alligators, claw-hands, voodoo, and no girlfriend was ever able to match up to Solitaire. Bye the way, my first ever movie experience was at a drive-in, I was about the same age, and supposed to be asleep in the back seat, and I watched an Aussie movie called 'Stone'. Look it up in wonder at my otherwise completely sober, sane, responsible and caring parents! (eagle-eye'd fellow OCD'ers might notice a discrepancy in the release dates, but remember it was the 70s, LALD was released in Australia in December 74 after a July premiere in the UK and the US, and we lived in country Queensland, we were up to nine months behind the rest of the world with our new movies, as the prints spent time in the capital cities first. So Stone, release date in June, made its way to our drive-ins before Live and Let Die was even finished showing in the larger cities.

[@jonathancampbell5231]

33:04 The henchman who follows Bond in the boat actually is named- Tee-Hee calls him Adam after Bond burns the farm down.

[@uncannyx]

actually, "Tee-Hee"

[@jonathancampbell5231]

@@uncannyx Fixed.

[@uncannyx]

@@jonathancampbell5231 there ya go! but thanks for that info, I guess I missed him calling him Adam

[@jonathancampbell5231]

22:22 "..and while he'll go much bigger later on..." I see what you did there.

[@calvindyson]

Jonathan Campbell HA! Completely unintentional I swear 😆

[@SPECTRE_Madman]

29:05

[@KalEl290]

Another awesome review! Very similar feelings here. Sherriff Pepper does not belong in this film, but I laugh at every line he's got regardless. Moore's... erhm... 'seduction' of Solitaire really hasn't aged well. And I think more than any film, I love the moments when the riff from the title song sneaks into the soundtrack - the end of the boat chase, Bond having his arm sliced.

[@davidjames579]

It's funny how with the Sheriff pepper section, the film pretty much swings into another movie, a proto Smokey And The Bandit! It's like when you pass you through his Parish, it stops being a Bond film! Bond's ruthless using of situations to his advantage are realistic for what a spy has to do, but rubs the line of what's okay in film entertainment. I buy Bond as a character having to do it, but whether we want to see our hero do it is something else. At the time though, it probably was perceived as a "Way hey! Not 'arf lads, get it where you can" snigger.

[@boosted2022]

Just discovered this channel and I must say, good sir, you are brilliant in your analysis of these older movies. Love your work!

[@calvindyson]

Thanks so much, Chris! Really happy you found the channel and even happier you're enjoing the videos :D very kind of you to comment and much appreciated!

[@paultownsley5521]

I just noticed at 12:59 the tarot card sign has the letters j and b on each of the columns

[@buckybarnes3803]

As a kid in the 70s and then looking back I was convinced that sheriff pepper was actually played by Jackie Gleason, because he was in the Burt Reynolds Smokey and the Bandit movies. Also back then, even as a kid, I thought pepper was so ridiculous. but now like you I am absolutely loving him -- he is a genuine highlight of this movie! like you said too bad he wasn't cast as the Vegas Sheriff giving us a trifecta of sheriff pepper.

[@crakatoot5480]

Baron Samedi was always the COOLEST and most BAD ASS Bond villain

[@ForwardSynthesis]

I always thought that Solitaire was just creating a distraction. I feel like there are similar scenes in other movies where the main heroine pretends to hit the main hero so that he can then surprise attack the bad guys and escape.

[@Dennis-nm4qh]

Great review Calvin👍 Roger Moore was sooooooo awesome as Bond, he will always be my favourite🤗

[@adampoll4977]

Yep, one of the best theme songs of the franchise. Pretty sure Solitaire hitting Bond at the airstrip was her try to distract the guards. As a kid I didn't realise Mr Big and Kananga were one and the same - I was just freaked out by how weird Mr Big looked! The Baron was great, weird character. Much like the theme song this movie is pop mixed with Prog Rock :) Fun fact, Quarrel Jr also played Toberman in the classic Dr Who story "Tomb of the Cybermen" Schmoozing with Bond girls? You devil Calvin Dyson! ;) Loving the new editing style and humour BTW :)

[@babyfir77]

I would say Whisper didn't survive. That device he got trapped within was air tight.........

[@calvindyson]

If we're taking 007 Racing as canon (which, is a dubious thing to do I'd say!) then he apparently did survive. All depends on how quickly or bothered Bond was to inform anyone; "Any loose ends we need to take care of, 007?" pause "... No"

[@jonathancampbell5231]

I first saw LALD when I was very young and I didn't know Mr Big was Kananga. I imagine audiences in the 70s might have been fooled by a blurrier screen as well. I think it's a passable disguise, and in real life I imagine few people would think crime lord Mr Big is a world leader in disguise. My memory of the reveal that they are the same person is vague, but I do remember feeling 0_0

[@johnkennethwiseman682]

one thing annoyed me, NO Q!!!!! And also in the battle between Bond and Kananga, the latter is inflated by the bullet and explodes. not a trace of blood anywhere.

[@davidjames579]

Well, it is a PG

[@philippeh3904]

Just became a Patreon subscriber. I mean I’ve been a fan since like 2011/2012 when I was still in the eight grade, and you provided me years of fun entertainment. I owe my obsessive Bond fandom to you. Keep it up mate.

[@calvindyson]

Thanks so much, Philippe! Really appreciate the support. Certainly inspires me to double up efforts and I'm very glad you've enjoyed the videos for so long. Going to get to TMWTGG re-review much sooner!

[@philippeh3904]

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond awesome.