Live and Let Die

Name: Live and Let Die
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Released: June 27, 1973
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto

1973

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Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings

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Live And Let Die

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: June 27, 1973 | PG

Starring: Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto

Summary: 007 is sent to stop a diabolically brilliant heroin magnate armed with a complex organization and a reliable psychic tarot card reader.

Director: Guy Hamilton

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Thriller

Rating: PG

Runtime: 121 min

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Critic Reviews

Empire Ian Nathan

A modernised Bond is dragged kicking and screaming into the 70s. Read full review

Cindy White

Live and Let Die isn't the best of the series by far, but it's not the worst either. The fun doesn't last due to the interference of the flimsy plot, centered around one of the least threatening Bond villains ever. Read full review

Roger Greenspun

There is a marvelous escape from an alligator farm (deadly reptiles are rather a motif in this movie), a superb collection of grotesque ways of killing, and a fine sense of pace and rhythm. Read full review

Time Out London Staff (Not Credited)

Two hours long and anti-climactic, but Bond fans won't be disappointed. Read full review

Peter Debruge

The most significant Bond ingredient missing from Live and Let Die is Q, whose gadgets still play a central role. The film also offers a few key additions, including an illuminating glimpse of Bond’s home. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Watching Live and Let Die isn't a complete waste of time, but there's no overriding reason why anyone should go out of their way to see it unless they're a die-hard Bond fan or are curious about Roger Moore's first turn in the role. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Guy Hamilton's direction lacks enthusiasm and pace, while even the art direction—long the Bond films' real secret weapon—seems to have fallen to a shrunken budget. Not much fun. Read full review

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User Reviews

alejandro970

May 7, 2022

Voodoo it? James Bond, naturally. I'm not sure if Roger Moore was the best fit to play James Bond, but it would be unfair to say he didn't make the effort. It has everything typical of the long saga, with a touch of humor. To see it with the typical plate of popcorn.

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Kai82

Dec 19, 2020

The eight James Bond movie and the debut of Roger Moore. Like in Sean Connery's debut he is not as refined as he will become later on. Both improved a lot and gave the definite version of James Bond for many fans. It was a mayor topic who was the better James Bond: Moore or Connery (DanielThe eight James Bond movie and the debut of Roger Moore. Like in Sean Connery's debut he is not as refined as he will become later on. Both improved a lot and gave the definite version of James Bond for many fans. It was a mayor topic who was the better James Bond: Moore or Connery (Daniel Craig reached this status too but this is another topic or review). Roger Moore is a more ironic and humorous James Bond and this was intentional as the producer wanted not a second Sean Connery but also not to alienate the fans. The story starts when he is send on an investigation as one British agent died in New York, New Orleans and the (fictional) Island San Monique. These individual cases seem linked to each other. The scene were the agent died is quite remarkable and in a way very humorous (I am a bit ashamed to use the word humorous here). His investigation will lead him to a bigger threat. It uses a lot of elements from the novel of the same name from Ian Fleming but I think they improved it with the new elements (Yes this is actually a rare “The movie is better than the book” case for me). The story is engaging and I think the antagonist has a solid evil plan. I like the action scenes and visuals. A theme of the movie is also Voodoo and it toys with some interesting ideas. With this it is of cause set in New Orleans and Jamaica in addition to New York. Everything looks good and believable. While Q is sadly not in the movie (or did I miss him?) we get some cool gadgets. A Rolex with two cool abilities, interesting communication devices and a shark gun that is used in an unintended way. A great plus for me is the humor. They added more to the movie and it worked really well. Be it for example the already mentioned passing of an agent, Roger Moores performance or the dinning table scenes. With Yaphet Kotto as Mr. Big we have a good antagonist who is clever and intimidating. His lieutenant Tee Hee by Julius W. Harris is also pretty good and a dangerous opponent. Jane Seymoore as Solitaire is excellent but a bit too much a damsel in distress for me. I also enjoyed Clifton James as Sheriff Pepper. He is such a great parody and quite remarkable for his short appearance. For Roger Moore I say has a strong debut and he will become just better. He will own this role and my critique is only a mention that he gets better in the sequels. Overall it is a strong debut and entertaining James Bond movie. I enjoyed rewatching it even if it is not in my favorite James Bond movie list.… Expand

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kyle20ellis

Mar 27, 2022

While not the best Bond movie, this is one of the better Roger Moore Bond movies in my opinion. It isn't a masterpiece, but as an introduction for Roger Moore as 007 it ain't half bad.

Yes it is overlong, yes the story is frantic and yes the villain's scheme could have done with moreWhile not the best Bond movie, this is one of the better Roger Moore Bond movies in my opinion. It isn't a masterpiece, but as an introduction for Roger Moore as 007 it ain't half bad.

Yes it is overlong, yes the story is frantic and yes the villain's scheme could have done with more development. Not to mention the fact that Dr Kananga's death is probably the silliest yet most epic death in a Bond film.

But it is visually striking, has some cool gadgets, some amusing one-liners, a fun theme song, a sexy Bond girl beautifully played by the lovely Jane Seymour, good direction and a credible turn from Roger Moore as the title character. Personally I consider Sean Connery the best Bond, but Moore doesn't do too bad a job.

In conclusion, a fun and above decent entry in the series. 7/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kheas

Feb 26, 2019

This film is loud, obnoxious, a touch campy and absolutely fun. This is a great start to a whole new era of James Bond after the official departure of Sean Connery from the role. An Era that would bring us some of the most enjoyable moments in the series, Including one of the campiest andThis film is loud, obnoxious, a touch campy and absolutely fun. This is a great start to a whole new era of James Bond after the official departure of Sean Connery from the role. An Era that would bring us some of the most enjoyable moments in the series, Including one of the campiest and best (and most violent) Bond Villain deaths to date. https://latetothegame.blog/2019/02/21/key-movies-of-my-life-james-bond-edition-live-and-let-die-1973/… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Jun 28, 2021

Premier James Bond sous la houlette de Roger Moore qui imprime d’emblée sa personnalité facétieuse au célèbre agent secret après plusieurs épisodes fatigués sous l’égide de l’écossais Sean Connery. Le pli est pris, ce Bond moorien se roule dans les jokes et plaisanteries de bureau, clinsPremier James Bond sous la houlette de Roger Moore qui imprime d’emblée sa personnalité facétieuse au célèbre agent secret après plusieurs épisodes fatigués sous l’égide de l’écossais Sean Connery. Le pli est pris, ce Bond moorien se roule dans les jokes et plaisanteries de bureau, clins d’oeil grotesques plus ou moins navrants tandis qu’il dérouille les méchants avec sa montre magique à l’issue d’une dernière vanne (il a toujours eu une enflure du moi ou le bras m’en tombe…).

A cet égard donc, Vivre et laisser mourir fait presque la concurrence à Benny Hill mais ce n’est bien sûr qu’un rodage, car Roger Moore va améliorer sensiblement son répertoire de cocasseries dans les films suivants. Les méchants, cela dit, s’en donnent également à coeur joie et cabotinent à n’en plus pouvoir (et effectivement, on n’en peut plus non plus).

Toutefois, le film se révèle très regardable, la réalisation est solide et quasiment sans temps mort grâce à… ou malgré l’histoire réduite à sa plus simple expression puisque double-zéro-sept « boule de neige sur tas de charbon » est poursuivi par les malfaisants vaudous du début à la fin alors qu’il traîne derrière lui la jolie potiche divinatoire Jane Seymour.

Voilà donc qui passe le temps sans génie (James, les vannes qui tuent) tout en divertissant sans trop de mal pourvu qu’on reste le cerveau… bien au ralenti.… Expand

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imthenoob

Nov 12, 2019

Moore is a great Bond, even rivalling Connery for the top spot IMO. His personifies the character in a whole other way and it was a fitting change. The film itself is pretty solid for the most part. I think the final act could have used touching up though, especially with trimming down thatMoore is a great Bond, even rivalling Connery for the top spot IMO. His personifies the character in a whole other way and it was a fitting change. The film itself is pretty solid for the most part. I think the final act could have used touching up though, especially with trimming down that nearly 10-minute boat race that brought the movie to a crippling halt. Honestly, Editing that down and quickening the pace of things near the end would have been a big help to this movie as it definitely drags it down a few notches IMO.

That being said, This movie was a nice change-up from the typical Bond formula. The take on blaxploitation is cheesy but in a good way. Not the best Bond film but a solid middle of the pack addition that is a nice introduction to Moore.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

VidyaBum

Oct 21, 2021

From Dr.No to Spectre (including Never say Never again), this is the second worst movie in the franchise.

Moore's first outing is outright terrible. The actor himself is still playing his prancing aristocrat role and smiles and enjoys himself in all circumstances, in an absolutelyFrom Dr.No to Spectre (including Never say Never again), this is the second worst movie in the franchise.

Moore's first outing is outright terrible.

The actor himself is still playing his prancing aristocrat role and smiles and enjoys himself in all circumstances, in an absolutely ridiculous fashion. He lacks any and all incarnation of the role and clearly disdained putting himself into it at first, and the whole movie suffers from it.

The villain is quickly catastrophic, not frightening, not brilliant, not anything, the characters and style mostly forgettable and unimpressive.

The action, style, dialogues, everything really, is at best utterly forgettable. The entire movie is, in a simple word, skippable without anything lost.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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