The Living Daylights

Name: The Living Daylights
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Released: July 31, 1987
Duration: 130 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Maryam d'Abo, Timothy Dalton

1987

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 72 Ratings

See All

6.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.8	Your Score
6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 72 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Living Daylights

Now Playing: The Living Daylights

Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: July 31, 1987 | PG

Starring: Maryam d'Abo, Timothy Dalton

Summary: James Bond is living on the edge to stop an evil arms dealer from starting another world war. Bond crosses all seven continents in order to stop the evil Whitaker and General Koskov.

Director: John Glen

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Thriller

Rating: PG

Runtime: 130 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

The Guardian Les Roopanarine

Timothy Dalton's monogamous, deadpan 007 brings a more nuanced interpretation to the central character, whose relationships evolve in ways rarely seen in the earlier films. Read full review

Rita Kempley

007's latest, The Living Daylights, a snazzy spy thriller, is all the more alluring for its new conservatism. It's right up there with the early Bonds, though not in the league with Goldfinger. But oh, what a difference. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Director John Glen is an old hand at James Bond films, having worked on three other 007 movies. He knows this popular spy well and does him great service in this well-paced film. Read full review

Cathleen McGuigan

The name's Dalton, Timothy Dalton, and in the film The Living Daylights he abandons the winks, the arched eyebrow and laid-back smile to get down to the dirty business of espionage. [27 July 1987, p.56]

Peter Travers

Dalton has training in classical theater; he has pedigree, looks, class. But as Bond he is – face it – dull as dirt. Too much spoofing is bad (see Moore), none is deadly (see Dalton). Read full review

Pat Graham

Timothy Dalton stars as the 1987 model James Bond in this 15th entry in the series, with the usual assortment of dope smugglers, KGB operatives, and criminal psychos providing a few anxious moments at the welcoming party. Expect the expected. Read full review

Josh Larsen

The Living Daylights marks one of those moments when the Bond franchise was awkwardly caught between two eras. Read full review

SEE ALL 18 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Kai82

Dec 31, 2020

The fifteenth James Bond movie and debut of Timothy Dalton. It is rated divisive from favorite Bond movie to one of the worst by fans and critics alike. For me it is one of the best in the franchise and a strong first performance by Timothy Dalton. After the end of the Roger Moore era theyThe fifteenth James Bond movie and debut of Timothy Dalton. It is rated divisive from favorite Bond movie to one of the worst by fans and critics alike. For me it is one of the best in the franchise and a strong first performance by Timothy Dalton. After the end of the Roger Moore era they wanted a more serious approach. Do not worry as there are also bits of humor but far less than before. In the intro James Bond and two other 00 agents are performing a test infiltration on the British military base on Gibraltar (The guards have just paintball weapons for this occasion). This goes horribly wrong as a third party uses this for their benefits and after the events it seems that the Soviets were starting an escalation that could turn the cold war hot. He is send out on an investigation to get more information. I stop here to avoid spoilers. The overall story is one of the best in the franchise. It has good twists and when the allegiances unfold you notice they also have good schemers. The actors were used well and added to the experience. Lets start with Timothy Dalton as new James Bond. After Roger Moore was not available many names were thrown in the ring. There are rumors that even Mel Gibson was a candidate at one time. At the end Timothy Dalton who was a candidate before when George Lazenby took the role and Pierce Brosnan were left. Because Pierce Brosnans contract for Remington Steele prevented him Timothy Dalton was chosen. I think he does a great first performance and deliver. Most criticism for me is the fact that he is not like Sean Connery or Roger Moore. Joe Don Baker as Brad Whitaker is a good villain with human flaws and an ego to big for him. Enjoyable to watch and I think they could / should have done more with him. Art Malik as Kamran Shah was a positive surprise for me. He has not the biggest role but won me over easily and became a remarkable character. Maryam d’Abo as Kara Milovy is also good. They avoided the damsel in distress really good 8mostly) as she has some remarkable talents but not the best knowledge of human nature (Cant blame her as most of us fail in life with this too). John Rhys Davies as General Pushkin is also a great addition. He is such a talented actor and performed remarkably. An often underappreciated character is Andreas Wisniewski as Necros. He is one o the most capable henchman in the franchise. He has a no nonsense approach and is skilled enough to impress even James Bond (Think he would do well as 00 agent). These characters / actors in combination with the story are the reason for my rating as one of the best movies in the franchise. The rest is good as always for franchise standards. The gadgets by Q are again so enjoyable. I just say Ghettoblaster. Bonus points for the soundtrack. The Living Daylight from a-ha and the performances of The Pretenders are in the top region for the franchise. Overall this is a highlight for many including me. It has a great cast and delivers. I repeat my warning that it is also for many one of the weaker entries in the franchise but that makes it also a good topic for fans;-). I recommend it and rewatch it once in a while.… Expand