Live and Let Die

PG

Released Jun 27, 1973

2 hr. 1 min.

Action

List

67%

54 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When Bond (Roger Moore) investigates the murders of three fellow agents, he finds himself a target, evading vicious assassins as he closes in on powerful Kananga (Yaphet Kotto). Known on the streets as Mr. Big, Kananga is coordinating a global threat, using tons of self-produced heroin. As Bond tries to unravel the mastermind's plan, he meets Solitaire (Jane Seymour), a beautiful tarot-card reader, whose magic is crucial to the crime lord.

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Critics Consensus

While not one of the highest-rated Bond films, Live and Let Die finds Roger Moore adding his stamp to the series with flashes of style and an improved sense of humor.

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DanTheMan 2

Guy Hamilton's profuse apology for the previous film, Live and Let Die comes out swinging and starts Roger Moore's tenure as 007 off with a bang. It's as upbeat and jazzy as it is dry and sarcastic, the film is often punctuated by a quizzically raised eyebrow while cleverly balancing the usual spy shenanigans with blaxploitation clichés. There's a great deal of energy injected into the filmmaking, with some fast-paced, brilliantly photographed and genuinely exhilarating action, Guy Hamilton redeems himself after his rather lazy effort only one film prior; while Tom Mankiewicz's script is brilliantly funny and endlessly entertaining, it's a great example of Bond's adaptability to pop culture, allowing him to flourish even in the most unlikely circumstances. Roger slips perfectly into the role of Bond with ease, marking himself out as a different entity from Connery's portrayal entirely, oozing endless amounts of wit, charm and charisma making it all seem so effortless. The rest of the cast is all genuinely well performed, it even has the best Felix Leiter in the entire series, with plenty of other small but memorable roles populating the film. With John Barry unavailable and the hiring of Paul McCartney to sing the legendary title song, George Martin steps up to the table and delivers one of my favourite scores of the entire series; far less brassy than Barry's efforts, instead incorporating elements of rock and funk that while of its time offer a unique sound while incorporating the usual elements you've come to expect from a Bond soundtrack. With a much lighter tone that works very much in its favour and filled to the brim with action, deduction and plenty of seduction, Live and Let Die is a terrific transitional Bond film, reinventing 007 for a new decade ahead.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

James B

great bond one of roger moores best good bond girls cool villian and interesting plot

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

James B

Moore's best with his youthful looks and tasteful humour both of which help reign in a plot that at times ventures into murky occultish waters. And don't forget the soundtrack.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

Tony S

Roger Moore's debut as 007, and a wonderful debut it is. Plot turns, a car chase like no other, and a boat chase that tops the car chase. Villainous enemies, inept law enforcement personnel, and a damsel in distress. Bond is a savior figure in this one. A captivating movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/09/23

Full Review

Rami A

Not bad for a new Bond actor in this next installment of the Bond films.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/23

Full Review

Ethan G

Albeit nothing special, this 007 flick is still reasonably decent.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/25/23

Full Review

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Guy Hamilton

Director

Roger Moore

James Bond

Yaphet Kotto

Kananga

Jane Seymour

Solitaire

Clifton James

Sheriff J.W. Pepper

Geoffrey Holder

Baron Samedi

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Penelope Gilliatt

New Yorker

The picture is carried along by a buffoonish flamboyance and by a benignity that must emanate from the director’s and the producers’ quizzical view of the original book, which was dyed-in-the-wool cliquish.

Mar 4, 2024

Full Review

John Russell Taylor

Times (UK)

Will James Bond live on in the 1970s? Not much farther, if this episode is anything to go by.

Dec 18, 2020

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

It is good, lively, mindless entertainment, slow to warm up but once embarked upon its improbable story quick to appreciate its own absurdity.

Dec 18, 2020

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…From the nudes-in-hell credits to the interrupted voodoo ritual of the climax, Live and Let Die attests to the influence of Fleming’s friend Dennis Wheatley…

Rated: 4/5

Jul 29, 2023

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

This gave the franchise a new life!

Rated: B+

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This introduces the worst -- I repeat, worst -- character to be found in any Bond movie.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 25, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

When Bond (Roger Moore) investigates the murders of three fellow agents, he finds himself a target, evading vicious assassins as he closes in on powerful Kananga (Yaphet Kotto). Known on the streets as Mr. Big, Kananga is coordinating a global threat, using tons of self-produced heroin. As Bond tries to unravel the mastermind's plan, he meets Solitaire (Jane Seymour), a beautiful tarot-card reader, whose magic is crucial to the crime lord.

Director: Guy Hamilton
Screenwriter: Ian Fleming, Tom Mankiewicz
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., CBS/Fox
Production Co: Danjaq Productions, Eon Productions Ltd.
Rating: PG
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 27, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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