50th anniversary of Live and Let Die, June 27th

Anniversaries are for tombstones, baby.

It’s definitely worth a rewatch to mark the occasion as, like Elm Street mentioned above, the film is certainly a lot of fun. Most people are rightly fond of it for the theme tune, the crocodile jump, the excellent collection of villains, its evocative display of the 70s Blaxploitation era, and the stunning Jane Seymour as Solitaire.

There are a couple of brief sequences in New Orleans but it’s mostly set in Harlem, rural Louisiana, and the fictional Caribbean island of San Monique. Some call the boat chase overlong, but I say it’s among the best action scenes in the franchise - there are even a couple of moments without George Martin’s score which allows you to really lose yourself in the Louisiana Bayou scenery.

This film also marks the first appearance of JW Pepper, a cartoonish character that just about works before being needlessly shoehorned into The Man With the Golden Gun.

It’s not perfect - in my opinion, Moore took until his third film to really nail his interpretation of the character. LALD has him trying to convincingly show the ruthless side of Bond, an element that never quite suited him. Effects-wise, Kananga’s death is appalling; frankly, I think it should get more hate. It’s like something you’d see in Trolls 2, and it’s supposed to be a major motion picture! Very different from Mr Big’s horrific death in the novel, too.

(As an aside, this was also the first Bond film other than Dr No without Desmond Llewelyn’s Q).

Overall, while a fun and memorable Bond adventure in many ways, I have it behind The Spy Who Loved Me, Octopussy, and For Your Eyes Only when it comes to the Moore films.

In terms of looks, Seymour is definitely up there. She still looks amazing at 72! If we’re talking about strength of character, I’d say Solitaire isn’t on the same level as Tracy, Vesper, Pussy, or even Wai Lin and Domino.

I just wish Solitaire wouldn't have been written as such a passive character. They could've given her a bit more to do.

Not one of my absolute favorite Bond movies, but I still definitely enjoy it. Great title song and I think Moore stepped into the role nicely. He was perfect for the campier Bond films of the 70's and 80's. The villains are fun in this one and the action scenes are well done, especially the boat chase, which is awesome. 

It's alright, my 3rd fav Moore behind For Your Eyes Only & The Spy Who Loved Me.

I do feel like its reputation has ebbed & flowed over the years. Moore seemed like he was just visiting the character during much of the movie, as if he were an MI6 intern. Still, it's fairly fun & free flowing with memorable moments & title song.
Dipping into America with blaxploitation Harlem NYC, & redneck southern boating isn't a great combo.

I've read the book, it's pretty solid.

Loved it. Still do.

The funniest OO7 film, and although I am and was a HUGE John Barry fan,  was also a lover of the Beatles and George Martin,..........so Macca's take on a Bond theme is a  treat.



This is one of the few Roger Moore bonds I can rewatch and still enjoy. All the reasons already mentioned .

I still say ButterHook around clumsy folk.

Within the Moore Bond outings, I’d rank this overall in the middle. He did a few better and a few worse. Ultimately, this would place it very firmly in the back half of the overall rankings - IMO, of course.

Still, it’s no dud. There’s a lot to like here: the Bond-less intro with the deaths of 3 agents, the title song is among the best in the Bond universe(although I think the title sequence is kinda mediocre, overall), the voodoo elements are definitely a welcome change of pace, the heavy reliance on campiness and corniness during the Moore tenure gets old after a while, but here it works pretty well(it was already headed in that direction anyway) as there are more than a few genuine laughs(intentional or not), the speed boat chase(while maybe a little long) is quite an impressive sequence.

In addition, it’s good to see Quarrel Jr. holds no grudges, the essential participation of My Boy Whisper and, of course, The Great Yaphet Kotto!

Also, Moore moves pretty smoothly into the role. It’s one of the few entries he looks of the appropriate age to play 007. Overall, despite not being a Top Half Bond film, it does what it absolutely needed to do: ensure continued success and relevance into the 70s by making a successful transition from the Connery era to a new frontman. If this film had been a total dud, then all of that would have been in jeopardy. Fortunately, they pulled it off.

edit: oh, yeah, how could I forget Jane Seymour??!