Live and Let Die
United Artists | Release Date: June 27, 1973
6.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
33
Mixed:
31
Negative:
5
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3
amheretojudgeMay 7, 2019
Hamilton is relying upon his new asset and Moore looking for some support, this misunderstanding leaves the chapter hanging in the middle of nothing.

Live And Let Die Hamilton has a new gadget. It is neither effective nor impressive. ButHamilton is relying upon his new asset and Moore looking for some support, this misunderstanding leaves the chapter hanging in the middle of nothing.

Live And Let Die

Hamilton has a new gadget. It is neither effective nor impressive. But diving deep into rich and untouched culture- up till now in the franchise, at least- he has enough room to roam around which he does. There is a certain calmness when he does so, to a degree that even when you know that it has got nothing to do with the storytelling and it doesn't, you let him enjoy the dance, at least someone is, so why not. While as far as the set pieces are concerned, they have definitely expanded with big expectations to fill and smartly with levity in each action sequences that are inherited in these characters- in one big boat chase sequence, there is a character introduced just for the humor and since he basically has an outer perspective from this world, just like us, somehow his reaction makes it more absorbent than the action- they sail off smoothly to the shore.

Speaking of culture and traditions, similar to the original Bond, they have tried to recreate the magic with a celebratory note, the only issue is that we are unfortunately on the other side of the door, and the celebration feels more tensed than entertaining. Roger Moore, the actor with the most Bond films, is aggressively taking charge on the role, his passion and hard work is admirable, but it never communicated with me.

Primarily because he isn't flamboyant in his body or actual language, and me, as a fan of this ravishing persona keeps that priority number one. The supporting characters are victims of pawn like stereotypical villainous tidbit, that is basically filling the necessary blank written to have something pushing or ticking behind our host for him to run and he does, a lot. Live And Let Die, let us, if this is how you would wish to move forward, or more accurately backward.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
Kai82Dec 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 wasThe 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
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
511andahalfFeb 5, 2021
Pretty alright movie overall. The theme song by Paul McCartney and the Wings is easily one of the best in the series, Moore is great for his performance, and the whole blaxploitation vibe in NYC is pretty memorable. Kananga and Tee Tee arePretty alright movie overall. The theme song by Paul McCartney and the Wings is easily one of the best in the series, Moore is great for his performance, and the whole blaxploitation vibe in NYC is pretty memorable. Kananga and Tee Tee are quite good villains, and so is the Bond girl, Solitare. However, the film just gets carried away and drags sometimes, especially in the middle with the whole boat chase. I think the best way to sum up this film is: There a lot of good things in this film, but nothing amazing, and there are flaws in the film, but nothing horrible either.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
kheasFeb 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 momentsThis 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
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5
imthenoobNov 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 usedMoore 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
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6
gracjanskiSep 14, 2021
Another just average Bond movie. This time it shows more humour, but I didnt find them funny, just slapsticks. As usual the action and fighting scenes were bad and annoying.
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2
VidyaBumOct 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 enjoysFrom 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
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7
kyle20ellisMar 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 theWhile 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
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8
alejandro970May 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 theVoodoo 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.… Expand
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5
BroyaxJun 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 roulePremier 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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4
FilipeNetoFeb 17, 2018
Directed by Guy Hamilton and with a script by Tom Mankiewicz, this is the eighth film in the franchise and keeps Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli as producers. In this film, the first in which Roger Moore embodies the British spy, franchiseDirected by Guy Hamilton and with a script by Tom Mankiewicz, this is the eighth film in the franchise and keeps Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli as producers. In this film, the first in which Roger Moore embodies the British spy, franchise tries to survive at two powerful factors of danger: the departure of Sean Connery after several years giving life to 007, and the unstoppable evolution of the world, with the seventies bringing a radical change in the audience. Thus, producers and screenwriter tried to attract new audiences, in particular the black public, attracted not only by black actors but also for some locations. Another subject that the film will address, and that was on the agenda during these times, are drugs and trafficking.

In this film, the British agent will fight an American drug baron but gets lost in the black neighborhood of Harlem, where he cannot pass unnoticed and almost finds himself in danger. The track eventually leads Bond to Louisiana, where the persecution of bandits brings us the hilarious Sheriff J. W. Pepper, who worked not only as a film comic element but also as a severe criticism against the conservatism of white society in the southern states. We must remind ourselves that this movie was released at a time when American society was in deep transformation, largely thanks to the struggle of black society for respect, equality and civil rights, which were denied until then, particularly, in the South. The film then heads to the Caribbean, to an island that was probably inspired by Haiti and where the audience is faced with superstitions and beliefs as voodoo or magic.

In these film, Roger Moore proved that could hold his role, and the agent could survive Sean Connery. In fact, he even manages to be much more English, while maintaining the habit of never losing his composure whatever the situation. The villains were in charge of Yaphet Kotto and Julius Harris, the latter in the role of Tee Hee, the man with the metal arm. Geoffrey Holder embodies the Baron Samedi, Haitian voodoo character who enters this film. The bond-girl was Jane Seymour, the role of the tarot reader Solitaire.

For many people, "Live and Let Die" is one of the oddest films in the franchise because of the amount of unusual elements featuring: "blaxploitation", magic, voodoo, superstition, drugs. And these people aren't without reason. Today, this film is strange and doesn't leave many memories, like many films of the seventies. There are even those who think that is the worst movie of the franchise. Perhaps. But it helped to keep Bond alive and adapted him to a new era. For posterity stays the good performance of the elegant and humorous Roger Moore and the introduction song, written by Paul McCartney and who would receive, years later, a new life through the cover of Guns N'Roses.… Expand
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4
Onlyclassicvg1Aug 4, 2022
Hamilton is relying upon his new asset and Moore looking for some support, this misunderstanding leaves the chapter hanging in the middle of nothing.
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6
MrPajamasFeb 17, 2021
Live and Let Die ... Well ... Where to start ... I've endured the change of actor here worse than, for example, George at Her Majesty's Service. I didn't like the plot very much either, and the environment didn't save it for me either, andLive and Let Die ... Well ... Where to start ... I've endured the change of actor here worse than, for example, George at Her Majesty's Service. I didn't like the plot very much either, and the environment didn't save it for me either, and the music still ... Live and Let Die is one of the best jingles for Bond for a lot of people, but I didn't like it. Overall, this is an above-average film that I can only recommend to Bond fans.… Expand
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4
HeroicAge616Oct 26, 2021
While still an improvement on Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die is a strange introduction for Roger Moore's Bond.
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7
liamexeNov 19, 2022
Roger Moore made his James Bond debut in "Live and Let Die." I was astounded by Roger Moore's portrayal of James Bond and how at ease he seemed in it. The way the director introduces him—on the bed with his sweetheart at home rather than inRoger Moore made his James Bond debut in "Live and Let Die." I was astounded by Roger Moore's portrayal of James Bond and how at ease he seemed in it. The way the director introduces him—on the bed with his sweetheart at home rather than in the middle of an action scene—is also pretty original. This time, M and Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) visited James Bond at his home rather than James Bond seeing M (Bernard Lee) in his office. Observing the interactions between James Bond, M, and Moneypenny in this film is a lot of fun.… Expand
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