The Living Daylights

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The Living Daylights

PG

Released Jul 31, 1987

2h 10m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

British secret agent James Bond (Timothy Dalton) helps KGB officer Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé) defect during a symphony performance. During his debriefing, Koskov reveals that a policy of assassinating defectors has been instated by new KGB head Leonid Pushkin (John Rhys-Davies). But as Bond explores this threat, a counterplot surfaces, involving a shady American arms dealer (Joe Don Baker) and a pair of Russian assassins, Necros (Andreas Wisniewski) and Kara Milovy (Maryam d'Abo).

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Critics Consensus

Newcomer Timothy Dalton plays James Bond with more seriousness than preceding installments, and the result is exciting and colorful but occasionally humorless.

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Henry Sheehan

Chicago Reader

The Living Daylights might be reactionary hooey as far as its worldview goes, but it’s really fun hooey.

Rated: 2/4

May 9, 2022

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

I feel just rotten about this, but I'm afraid I've outgrown James.

Oct 20, 2015

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

In The Living Daylights, Dalton establishes his claim to the role; in the films that will follow, he'll have the chance to dig deeper.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 20, 2015

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Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

This is a messy film that really struggles at points to properly explore it's actually interesting and smart plot.

Aug 28, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Timothy Dalton's series debut is classic Cold War Bond, and grade-A spy stuff.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 25, 2021

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...marks one of those moments when the Bond franchise was awkwardly caught between two eras.

Rated: 1.5/4

Sep 17, 2021

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Mark J

Really enjoyed the change of pace getting to this Bond era. After the increased silliness, forced humour and aging cast of the Moore era became an issue, the more serious nature of this was welcome. The action scenes were really good, the plot was enjoyable and all it lacked was a tiny bit of humour.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

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Tim M

Timothy Dalton making for a fine casting choice as Bond, The Living Daylights returns 007 to sleek action filmmaking and espionage intrigue.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

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Obi-wan K

Not bad dio alright pacing

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

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Lucas C

Its a great movie but its not perfect 8,5/10 TOP 5 james bond Movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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Glafira Regina O

I enjoyed the film. The acting was excellent, the plot logical and engaging. The locations were chosen perfectly, and I much preferred the British version of Bond over the American one. Moreover, the older Bond seemed more fitting as a secret agent compared to the newer iterations. However, there are still a few drawbacks. - Soundtrack: While fitting for spy films of the 80s, the music sounds a bit dated today. - Accent: The background actors speak Russian fluently, but General Pushkin, played by John Rhys-Davies, has a noticeable accent when speaking Russian. However, his English features impeccable British pronunciation, which is a delight. - Special Effects: Although the film doesn't rely heavily on effects, I believe adding "fantastical" weaponry invented in secret labs solely for Bond detracts from the story's realism.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

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Gerald H

While Dalton gives a very good Bond, the whole movie is very very mediocre, horrendous title-song included. Plus: I think that the Bondgirl playing cello is one the most unfeeling things I‘ve seen in my life. Maybe better play a lumberjack.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/20/24

Full Review

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John Glen

Director

Timothy Dalton

James Bond

Maryam D'Abo

Kara Milovy

Jeroen Krabbé

General Georgi Koskov

Joe Don Baker

Brad Whitaker

John Rhys-Davies

General Leonid Pushkin

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Synopsis

British secret agent James Bond (Timothy Dalton) helps KGB officer Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé) defect during a symphony performance. During his debriefing, Koskov reveals that a policy of assassinating defectors has been instated by new KGB head Leonid Pushkin (John Rhys-Davies). But as Bond explores this threat, a counterplot surfaces, involving a shady American arms dealer (Joe Don Baker) and a pair of Russian assassins, Necros (Andreas Wisniewski) and Kara Milovy (Maryam d'Abo).

Director: John Glen
Producer: Albert R. Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson
Screenwriter: Ian Fleming, Richard Maibaum, Michael G. Wilson
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists, EON Productions, Danjaq Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 1987, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $51.2M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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