Live and Let Die | In-depth Movie Review

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
  • Roger Moore's debut Bond adventure is in the reviewing crosshairs here. The film has quite a few plot holes and one-of-a-kind elements but has held up well in the minds of fans and the general public. Is that reputation deserved?
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ความคิดเห็น • 929

  • @garethdwright91
    @garethdwright91 4 ปีที่แล้ว +443

    It's amazing how young Moore looks in this one, despite being five years older than Connery was in Diamonds Are Forever.

    • @hannah6034
      @hannah6034 4 ปีที่แล้ว +76

      Yeah, Connery aged really quickly during his tenure, by diamonds he looked literally twenty years older than Moore here - two years later and, as you say , five years older. The shorter hair makes Moore look extra fresh faced, though he still does look almost as young in the next. It’s a real shame he ended up being one of those victims of eighties dodgy plastic surgery. Calvin is too polite to ever say much about it in his reviews but I actually find Moore’s appearance kind of distracting in the last two movies. It’s sad he didn’t let himself age naturally considering how he seemed to have the genes for it ...

    • @mr.tramber
      @mr.tramber 4 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      @@hannah6034 Yes, Roger Moore really looks very young in his first 4 movies - in LALD he looks like 37 y.o, in the TMWTGG - same, in TSWLM - 40 y.o, in MR - 42 y.o. As for me, he started to look old in 1980, where in FYEO he looks like 48 y.o, in OP - 51-52 y.o, and in AVTAK - like 58 y.o.. But I disagree with your statement, that he looks bad in Octopussy, he still looks pretty good in this flick with his usual appereance, and he looks like a man in his early fifties. But in AVTAK I agree, he looks really very old and unfit, compare to his previous appereances. AVTAK is the only movie, where Roger really looks like his real age at the time of filming. You are right, if he hadn't done this plastic surgery, he would have looked much better, maybe the same, as he was in FYEO and OP. This is really terrible, because 2 years later, in 1987 he looked much better than in AVTAK.

    • @adamcollins915
      @adamcollins915 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@mr.tramber Don't believe Moore looked unfit in AVTAK. He looked slim & had lost weight since Octopussy. However facially he looked too old. The film didn't help & Moore's performance was flat.

    • @adamcollins915
      @adamcollins915 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      He did look youthful. Espescially for 1973 when people looked older & were less fit.

    • @hkr0065
      @hkr0065 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Moore only started looking his age in FYEO. Father time eventually caught up with him.
      He still looked alright though until that awful face lift for AVTAK.
      And it's not like Moore stopped being handsome, but he just stopped being believable as Bond.

  • @daveroche6522
    @daveroche6522 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    "J.W., this here Limey's a secret agent"
    "SECRET AGENT????? ON WHO'S SIDE?"
    Realistic reaction, realistic dialogue - 'nuff said!

  • @chrimbo90
    @chrimbo90 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Was the first dvd my family ever bought! Back when dvds had all the he features complete with kick-ass moving menu

  • @RighteousBrother
    @RighteousBrother 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ok so the M magnetic watchcsceme made me jump out of my skin! Solitaire is definitely improvising in that scene, causing a distraction so Bond can escape. I never thought there was anything ambivalent about it. Great video though, really enjoyed watching it.

  • @pyrobison2002
    @pyrobison2002 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i love Calvin and I love James Bond

  • @BillHimmel
    @BillHimmel 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Kananga blowing up looked so ridiculous! Even as a kid I couldn’t believe it!

  • @TerryOnTuesday
    @TerryOnTuesday 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    ...and even as a kid, I wondered why there wasn't a single drop of blood inside Kananga when he exploded!

  • @JustinA-p5n
    @JustinA-p5n 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

    This is a great Bond movie. It's one of Moore's best. Moore is my favorite Bond. I enjoy his films the most, and for the life of me, I have no idea why. I can recognize that Connery may objectively be in more classic films, and Craig is in better ones, but Moore's run is the most enjoyable to me. They're just way more entertaining

  • @largodeeprose
    @largodeeprose 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Holy crap i never noticed the 007 card backs before, that just blew my mind

  • @AlejandroGonzalez-fs5ez
    @AlejandroGonzalez-fs5ez 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Baron Samedi was supposed to appear in TMWTGG, that's why he appears in the end, don't remember why he didn't come back.

  • @SolarDragon007
    @SolarDragon007 5 ปีที่แล้ว +359

    In retrospect, Baron Samedi should've been in this film WAY more than he was.

    • @colejohnsondrums
      @colejohnsondrums 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      So true he was an awesome charcter

    • @oddjobplayzps4314
      @oddjobplayzps4314 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@thefonzkiss he deserved more than what he got

    • @drspectre7756
      @drspectre7756 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      SolarDragon007 I wish he came back at some point in the series and died for good.

    • @Layne618
      @Layne618 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@oddjobplayzps4314 I played the Goldeneye video game long before I saw any of the movies and I can remember that extra level where you faced off with Samedi. I remember reading in the Player's Guide about how Bond "crossed swords" with him in Live and Let Die, so I figured, "He must be pretty major." And then, many years later, I see the movie, get to Bond's "confrontation" with Samedi and after it's over, I'm like, "Well, that was disappointing."

    • @tombennett3827
      @tombennett3827 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      SolarDragon007 I emphatically agree with you. He was a fascinating character, and Holder's height (6'6") and deep, resonant laugh helped to make him a menacing character. His connection with both the voodoo/Tarot and crime themes of the film made him an interesting character.

  • @wyattcorbin1629
    @wyattcorbin1629 5 ปีที่แล้ว +301

    Jane Seymour’s hairdresser for this movie, whatever they were paid, wasn’t paid enough.

    • @alanwarren7356
      @alanwarren7356 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Wyatt Corbin

    • @tupaei01
      @tupaei01 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Her hair (and she of course...) is so very beautiful. She's one of the most gorgeous Bond girls and female stars of cinema ever. I think she and Carole Bouquet are the prettiest. I guess I just like brunettes and long hair...

    • @sameerhafeez7029
      @sameerhafeez7029 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      tupaei01 me too,

    • @BATompsett
      @BATompsett 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@tupaei01 I see you're also a man of culture.

    • @tupaei01
      @tupaei01 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@BATompsett Yes, sir.

  • @gregalonzo747
    @gregalonzo747 4 ปีที่แล้ว +217

    In Roger Moore's, James Bond Diary, he explains the scene with Solitaire attempting to strike him. She was trying to distract the henchmen so he could try to escape.

    • @ricardocantoral7672
      @ricardocantoral7672 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      That's exactly what I figured.

    • @charlesmarsh316
      @charlesmarsh316 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      That was always my impression of her behavior in the scene.

    • @richjermy7930
      @richjermy7930 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      I have to be honest - I always thought Solitaire was just trying to distract the bad guys at the airport. Bond clearly has nowhere to go and it’s why she’s a beat behind him getting out of the cab as she’s trying to figure out what to do to save him.

    • @OuterGalaxyLounge
      @OuterGalaxyLounge 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Correct, and so blatantly obvious. Calvin overlooks the obvious and instead overthinks it to death.

    • @SplotchTheCatThing
      @SplotchTheCatThing 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I seem to remember her making it clear in a previous scene that her main concern was for her own safety. That whole sequence looked a lot like a calculated attempt to help Bond get away, while confusing the henchmen (who probably would have figured out that she was working with Bond by now) about her true allegiance.
      Also noticed seeing that clip again in here, that she didn't actually try to whack him with her purse at all -- it was well away from his face :) Meaning she only did that so Bond could grab it, and the henchmen's eyes would naturally follow the movement, as eyes tend to do.

  • @EntropicDecayGaming
    @EntropicDecayGaming 5 ปีที่แล้ว +335

    18:18 I've always interpreted Solitaire's sudden change of heart as her trying to save face in front of Kananga's goons. She knows her betrayal of the villain will cost her her life and she desperately wants to make it come across as if she had no choice in the matter or she intentionally went through with it to lure Bond to the villains.
    Or maybe I'm reading WAY too much into this and, like you said, she was simply trying to give Bond a chance to escape.
    From a fellow J.W. Pepper fan, great review Calvin!
    "By the powers IN-vested IN ME by this Parrish, I hereby do commandeer this vehicle and all those persons within...And that means YOU, smartass!"

    • @EntropicDecayGaming
      @EntropicDecayGaming 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Also, side note, since you're re-reviewing a lot of the Bond films, I'd love to see an updated take on Goldeneye.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      EntropicDecay Gaming oh yes I’m going to be running through TMWTGG up to Spectre again 😁 and yeah the thing about Solitaire is weird. I would have appreciated just one close up of her looking nervous before going steely eyed and putting on the act. As it stands there just isn’t anything to indicate anything other than she just is glad that they’ve captured Bond!

    • @samhodgson2262
      @samhodgson2262 5 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      I see it sort of like a double bluff. Yes she is trying to endear herself to the villains so she won't be killed, but she strikes out at Bond knowing that he will retaliate in some way and give him an opportunity to escape.

    • @alanmurrie
      @alanmurrie 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      EntropicDecay Gaming Yes, that’s always what I thought too - once captured she was trying to make it look like 007 had taken her against her will, to avoid/lessen punishment.

    • @callawolf531
      @callawolf531 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I always thought the same. I actually figured she was a bit irked for not being fully rescued and allowed to be in Kananga's clutches again. I don't think it was actually a "hey, I'm a bad guy now, SURPRISE" moment, but rather, it's more like "How dare you be so careless and let me get captured again" moment. Keep in mind that the henchman says "there's a hell of a view of the lake from 10,000 feet" and that's when Solitaire speaks up and says "My only regret is that I won't be there to see it!" and THEN takes a swing and Bond. She's saying that she'd rather be up in the plane with Bond and taking that gamble of being free of Kananga or dying in a crash than to actually be back in Kanangas captivity again. She's mad at 007 for not getting her out of there.
      I don't think the scene needed a "wink wink" shot because I legitimately think she's mad, scared, and has lot all hope of being free again.

  • @Plally06
    @Plally06 5 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    Great review Calvin. One of my favourite lines of the series comes from this film: “My name is.....” “Names is fo ‘ tombstones baby!” 😳😄 Also, I never noticed the 007 on the cards before, nice one!

    • @davider6884
      @davider6884 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Paul Lally I love that line too😂😂

    • @speedracer1945
      @speedracer1945 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I say that sometimes and people look at me stange .

  • @SuperGrumpyDaddy
    @SuperGrumpyDaddy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +71

    The guy running over the crocs 🐊 was the actual owner of the alligator farm, one Ross Kanaga!

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      They were so impressed by him, they named the villain after him. In the book, the villain is just Mr Big alone.

    • @Geezer-yf8hv
      @Geezer-yf8hv 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Probably one of the coolest stunts from all the movies!

  • @TheQuietReader1920
    @TheQuietReader1920 5 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    Oh I love this movie! It has one of my favourite lines (from Sheriff Pepper, of course): "...a secret agent? On whose side?!" :)

    • @logandarklighter
      @logandarklighter 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Sheriff Pepper almost should be put in the pokey himself - for GRAND THEFT SCENE STEALING!!! :D :D :D Seriously - I love his bits in the 2 movies he's in. :D

  • @AlexPryrodny
    @AlexPryrodny 4 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    I think one feature of this movie I wish you expanded more on was that for much of the movie Bond feels out of place, walking and trying to blend in into a culture he doesn't understand, which possibly mirrors the difficulties of making a Bond movie with a new lead actor. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but perhaps they decided to make the transition less awkward by putting Bond in more awkward situations, making him an underdog, a fly in a spider's net for most of the movie to make us root for him just a bit more.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  4 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      That’s a great reading! Had really occurred to me until reading this but yeah, whether it was intention or not there are certainly parallels

    • @randallrutherford1384
      @randallrutherford1384 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@calvindyson agreed!

  • @CaminoAir
    @CaminoAir 5 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    I think Solitaire's behaviour towards Bond on the airfield is intentionally to create a distraction giving Bond a chance to make a break for it, while also allowing her to try to maintain the illusion that she has nothing to hide from Katanga or his men. She knows exactly what she's doing and that is to aid Bond.

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I do wonder how she explains to Kanaga why she escaped with Bond. But yeah, I always twigged it was her attempt to help him, as she'd just heard he was going to be dropped from the plane. Something he probably couldn't avoid.

    • @bsfishing7073
      @bsfishing7073 ปีที่แล้ว

      My thoughts exactly

  • @Jurassicprince
    @Jurassicprince 5 ปีที่แล้ว +55

    Love this film so much. The only complaint, is I wish they used New Orleans more. Wish we got to see more of the New Orleans French Quarter, with maybe a chase or espionage scene with Bond, instead of just the two less-than-minute scenes we got.

    • @hannah6034
      @hannah6034 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      With you jack, I love this film too. Probably my favourite, indisputably top 3. One of those Bond films that’s a good spy story and fun movie to watch in its own right too. As opposed to say octopussy that I have a soft spot for but you do kind of have to make excuses for certain parts. I love all the US locations and totally agree i wish we’d seen more of New Orleans. I wouldn’t have minded more 70s NYC too - the boat chase could’ve been liberally shaved down, it’s the only bit I don’t like and gosh does it go on. Great girl, great villain, best Felix, best theme song and I know this isn’t a commonly held view but I think Moore is at his very peak in this and TMWTGG.

  • @thepatientgamer98
    @thepatientgamer98 5 ปีที่แล้ว +140

    *Day is Mediocre*
    Calvin uploads
    *Day gets better*

  • @AcaciaMovies
    @AcaciaMovies 4 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    “Get over it love, it’s only your virginity” 😂 16:35

  • @NelsonStJames
    @NelsonStJames 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    "While he (Koto) will go much bigger later on . . . "
    I see what you did there Calvin.

  • @BenCol
    @BenCol 5 ปีที่แล้ว +143

    Fun story: Moore stole the brush/communicator gadget prop from this film, and, while having lunch at BBC Television Centre, sold it to the ‘Doctor Who’ producers, who used it in the Tom Baker story ‘Revenge of the Cybermen’. He got paid quite nicely for it too.
    An attempt was later made to return the favour and have K9 make a cameo in a Bond film, but it didn’t come to anything, which lead to the creation of Snooper in ‘A View to a Kill’. Apparently the DW people weren’t too keen on K9 wandering in on Bond in the shower with Stacey Sutton, so the Bond people made their own robot dog instead.
    OK, so I made that last bit up, but the first paragraph is true.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      I don’t think I’d ever heard this story before 😂😂 I know he was a bit of a magpie when it came to pinching hotel towels and the like but I didn’t realise that extended to actual props!

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@calvindyson In terms of freebies, I would like to announce here that part of Roger Moore's salary included an unlimited supply of (expensive) Monte Cristo Cigars for the duration of filming. Cubby regretted this as he didn't realise how many Rodge would go through! This is actually a fact, although it sounds like something from Would I Lie To You.

    • @vordman
      @vordman 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Oh, thank god that never happened. I have a love/hate relationship with the Moore era as it is, but seeing K9 roll onto set would have pushed me over the edge.

    • @toyotatacoma1616
      @toyotatacoma1616 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I’m mentally trying to re-edit that scene with K9 and it’s killing me. I’m sorta sad I don’t live in a world where this happened.

    • @TerryOnTuesday
      @TerryOnTuesday 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@calvindyson And in Revenge Of The Cybermen the brush radio was used by actor Jeremy Wilkin who played Forsyth in TSWLM.

  • @rgerber
    @rgerber 2 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    I don't get how anyone could dislike Lazenby's acting, without any experience, he did extremely well. His fights feel real, his charme is great...

    • @justisolated5621
      @justisolated5621 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah right?

    • @meghanphillips3495
      @meghanphillips3495 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I wish his manager hadn't advised him so badly. He could have grown into the part very nicely.

    • @TheT3rr0rMask
      @TheT3rr0rMask 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      On top of that he's just a good presence for how Bond was portrayed in film. Bond did what he want- sneaking the baretta off M's desk, downplaying his skills before hipfiring a clay pigeon at Largo's, making Goldfinger think he won before revealing the wrong ball was played etc. He was like a devious cousin at a family party.
      Lazenby WAS that, and much of OHMSS's plot revolves around that side of Bond. Watch his casting documentary, read of behind the scenes stuff, and Lazenby really was that side of Bond and its how he found a lot of his successes in life. If anything it makes it believable since he's sorta playing himself in a way (including the player aspects, George was drowning in women before OHMSS). He feels really human, a biproduct of hiring a non-actor.

    • @valueofnothing2487
      @valueofnothing2487 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      They had to loop over his lines, which made him come across quite poorly I think.
      But he also had very monotonic facial expressions. His jokes to me landed flat. And His Majesty Secret Service had a lot of ridiculous things in it - him pretending to be homosexual with all the women around. Just horrible.
      But surely he is the one Bond without a career. All other Bonds were able to have some sort of film career after Bond. So I think most of the people agree with me that he's a bad actor.

    • @joshslater2426
      @joshslater2426 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      As has been said many times, Lazenby is a very wooden actor. He lacks the charisma and confidence of every Bond actor before and after. It’s very difficult to buy him as Bond as he’s just a bit too vulnerable. It doesn’t help that the film tries to big him up in somewhat unnatural ways.

  • @samjonestown2397
    @samjonestown2397 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    I think Live and let die, is a well balanced Bond film, there’s a great combination of action, comedy, intensity. Moore convey’s a relaxed, charming, experienced bond, but still youthful enough to be believable. The soundtrack adds drama during the film and the title song is one of the better bond themes.

  • @nathanspindel9353
    @nathanspindel9353 2 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    This man has absolutely the most polite and respectful chat on all of TH-cam, kudos for not riding on a trend but genuinely becoming an expert on the subject, it shows and we all respect you for it

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Thanks so much, Nathan! Really kind of you to comment with this and I appreciate it a lot 😁😁

  • @LordMelbury1953
    @LordMelbury1953 5 ปีที่แล้ว +60

    Roger Moore saved Bond. We would not be here discussing Bond if not for him.

    • @nitsuagaming6121
      @nitsuagaming6121 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Which im grateful for that but hes my least favorite bond he isn't bad just to campy for my taste

    • @southlondon86
      @southlondon86 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@nitsuagaming6121 You really think Lazenby was better? With that stupid sped up ‘fight’ scene & his dumb quip to the camera?

    • @nitsuagaming6121
      @nitsuagaming6121 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@southlondon86 most bonds are better then moore in my oppinion and that wasn't a bad movie the fourth wall break joke was stupid though

    • @southlondon86
      @southlondon86 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@nitsuagaming6121 Moore’s movies are far more exciting and memorable. The stories, villains, gadgets, Bond girls. Even with the cheesy one liners, they are far more interesting than anything dalton or craig has done. Craig is the ugliest Bond and his movies are so boring!

    • @nitsuagaming6121
      @nitsuagaming6121 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@southlondon86 hes also the most book accurate bond though aside from the bad writing in later creig films its all a matter of oppinion though

  • @ckom0007
    @ckom0007 4 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    “What are you? Some kind of doomsday machine boy!” That line is the among the funniest in cinema history! It could have been in ‘Mad Mad Mad Mad World’ and not been out of place! “Secret agent? On who’s side!” I could barely write that here I was laughing so hard!

    • @logandarklighter
      @logandarklighter 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I know! A couple of times watching this film, I've had similar thoughts that Sheriff Pepper would be perfectly at home in "It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World"!! Spot on, good sir! :D

    • @ckom0007
      @ckom0007 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@logandarklighter
      😂

  • @paulleow8017
    @paulleow8017 5 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    On the subject of George Martin doing the soundtrack: it's super fitting that he did the score for the movie while Paul McCartney did the main title theme, seeing as how Martin was producer on a lot of Beatles Albums and whatnot

    • @Enmet
      @Enmet 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      The producers originally intended to have Paul McCartney do the film score but he was too expensive.
      The soundtrack for this film is truly remarkable. Although it's from as early as 1973, it's one of the most well-produced film scores I've ever heard with regards to mixing and audio-quality in general. Goes to show what a truly amazing producer George Martin was!

  • @davider6884
    @davider6884 4 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Live And Let Die will always be one of my favourites! It‘s got this very independend and different tone. Almost the entire cast is black. Kananga is a good and memorable villain! Solitaire is also fantastic! Tee Hee is great! A lot of characters are very memorable! But the first thing I usually praise on Live And Let Die is the music! This movie is nothing but pure ear-candy to me! The soundtrack of this movie is so ridiculously cool and awesome! It‘s my favourite Bond soundtrack ever! The title song is also extremely badass! When it comes to the music, I am positive that Live And Let Die will never be beaten! I mainly place it on spot 6 of my ranking list followed by GoldenEye. Sometimes I place GoldenEye on 6 and Live And Let Die on 7 but Live And Let Die comes first in most cases! I give it a 9/10!

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Loved reading this! Always great to read such enthusiasm when it comes to anything Bond :D

    • @kkarx
      @kkarx 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Loved this movie as kid especially the guy with hook was scary haha. While 60s Bond is dream like, this is like return to bleak reality. After rewatching it I have to say it did not have the same impact but yeah it isikinda kinda special entry in the serie. Man with the golden gun is quite similar in style but the spy who loved me returned to dreamy looks.

  • @BenCol
    @BenCol 5 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    My favourite line is when M says: “If you don’t mind, Commander... my spoon!” I don’t know why M cares about his spoon so much, but it makes me laugh that he does.*
    Anyway, this film definitely is one of those ones which is better if you don’t think about the plot too hard. I mean, why were MI6 investigating Kananga in the first place again? Was Kananga even threatening Britain? All his drugs were going to the States. Perhaps if San Monique was a Commonwealth nation, but it sounds as if it was a former French colony (like Haiti) as opposed to a British one. Either way, it marks the first use of drug trading in a Bond villain’s scheme, long before Dalton’s films ran with it. Oh that Tim, always stealing Rog’s schtick! Heck, not only is Sanchez a drug baron, but he lives in a made-up country just like Kananga! Perhaps they were friends.
    *It always reminds me of when U2 appeared on ‘The Simpsons’ and Adam Clayton “got a Springfield spoon for his spoon collection”, and that “if I didn’t have my spoons, I’d go insane.”

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      BenCol good point about MI6 and Kananga... funnily enough, that thought came to mind when I read the book but it never really bothered me so much in the film!

    • @evilubuntu9001
      @evilubuntu9001 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      If the villain's modus operandi was hiding pirate treasure in shark tanks to finance covert global Soviet spy operations, the plot might have been slightly more plausible.

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Well, Hamilton (nod to the director) was on loan to The CIA. So, there's a link????
      I was also impressed at M's local knowledge. He knows there's a perfectly adequate watchmaker, just down the street. Or did he waste MI6 resources to find out?

    • @ericovalle8737
      @ericovalle8737 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      At the very least, the UK ambassador was murdered.

  • @runevverhartvig6340
    @runevverhartvig6340 5 ปีที่แล้ว +82

    These reviews are why I follow you on Patreon. I like your stuff, but it is these reviews that really puts the nail in the coffin. They are just so entertaining, well-argumented and thorough! Carry on, Calvin Dyson, and you’ve got my continued support!

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Rune Væver Hartvig thanks so much for this, Rune 😁 I shall double up efforts to cover TMWTGG soon so there isn’t too much of a break between the actual film reviews. Hope you continue to enjoy and I seriously can’t THANK YOU enough for the Patreon support

    • @runevverhartvig6340
      @runevverhartvig6340 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond Thank you for thoughtful answer! With that kind of community interaction I wouldn’t dare withdrawing my pledge 🤩 now hurry on, I’m eager for TMWTGG!

    • @sashaking1115
      @sashaking1115 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree!!! Calvin’s reviews are my favourites

  • @darcyj19
    @darcyj19 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    The way you comment on the blackness of all the villains suggests you are blissfully unaware that this film was made in the Blaxploitation period and was styled accordingly, and quite appropriately since the original novel concerned the villainy of (the black) Mr Big and his (black) henchmen and the power of his (black) network.

    • @OuterGalaxyLounge
      @OuterGalaxyLounge 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bingo. You are so right. Young film reviewers need to research context more, since they didn't live in the times the films were made. Even cursory glances at discussion forums on Bond movies would have flagged this for him while he was putting his commentary together.

    • @scooby1992
      @scooby1992 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yaphet Kotto was in a few Blaxploitation films as well . I cant remember which one it was but he played an ally of the lovely Pam Grier . I also loved him in a little known film called Blue Collar with Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel .

    • @meghanphillips3495
      @meghanphillips3495 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ​@@scooby1992 Blue Collar was so good. Great acting.

    • @scooby1992
      @scooby1992 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@meghanphillips3495 I agree and poor Yaphet's character came to a nasty end in a car spray room .

    • @calreid3208
      @calreid3208 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      As someone under thirty, at the time of writing this anyway, I think it can be argued that Blaxploitation wasn't as much of an influence as people think. You look at films like Superfly, Shaft and its two sequels, and Truck Turner to name but a few - Live and Let Die doesn't actually feature many traits of Blaxploitation.
      Yes, several actors also appear in Blaxploitation films, but elements like the drug trade, the funky George Martin soundtrack, and a Harlem setting for some of the film, are elements found in most thriller and mystery films/TV of the period. It's even reflected in other espionage properties of the time, like Mission: Impossible, who chose to focus on organised crime-based plots in the early '70s because that was the popular antagonist of the era. In many ways, Live and Let Die could be a slightly over-the-top Kojak episode.
      Many of the Black-centric elements are also direct from the book, albeit a lot less vehemently racist.
      So, no, I think Calvin's lack of focus on Blaxploitation as an influence is perfectly legitimate.

  • @equaltocody
    @equaltocody 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    About Tarot cards, as they relate to this movie and bond-
    Tarot cards and playing cards come from the same deck. There are four suits in each (petancles, Wands, swords, cups vs diamonds, hearts, clubs, spades). In addition to these cards called the minor arcana there are more cards called major arcana with names that are more recognizable.
    All the cards you see in the movie are major arcana, as well as easy to interpret cards. It's a story telling concession, it's more likely that most cards would be lesser arcana as they make up the bulk of the deck. But if bond threw down a six of pentacles it might be apt but would bog the story down.
    It's less about actual tarot and more showing a parrallel between solitaire and bond. Bond is the king of western playing cards, She's the queen of tarot cards. He's impeccably dressed and with perfect hair as is hers, ect.
    Solitaire is a great character visually and thematically.

    • @rafachrzaszcz6997
      @rafachrzaszcz6997 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's nice somebody talks here about the cards! So I think you know how big mistake the scriptwriters made with literal interpretation of cards "The Death" and "The Lovers" 😁

  • @zanemurcha2675
    @zanemurcha2675 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Fitting that you upload the Paul McCartney song movie on the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road album being released.

  • @davidrixson3171
    @davidrixson3171 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Live and Let Die is the first Bond film I ever saw in the summer of 1973 when I was 11 years old . We all knew Roger Moore from the Saint and the Persuaders and this film turned me into a huge Bond fan! Over the next 2 years my local Odeon cinema screened all the Connery films as double features.
    Back in those days you could stay in the cinema all day so I would sit through continuous showings of a double Bond feature . Great memories!

    • @phillipgreen2082
      @phillipgreen2082 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes I remember the bond double Bill's at the cinema great value for money in those days

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      David Rixson Fantastic memories! Live And Let Die was also the first Bond film Sam Mendes saw.

    • @paulrawes
      @paulrawes 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@phillipgreen2082
      The first double bill I saw was Thunderball and you only Live twice, and I was blown away.

  • @theurbangentry
    @theurbangentry 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video. The time, effort and skill involved is truly respectable.
    I would love to have you on my channel for an interview one day. This is fast becoming my new fave Bond movie, the clothes, the watches, the music and a fresh new Roger on the scene. I would be honored if you check out my videos and subscribe if you deem it worthy, thank you.
    Anyways, keep up the good work, onwards and upwards.
    Best regards,
    TGV

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks very much, sir! Been very much enjoying your collabs with David Z and only just shamefully realized I wasn't already subscribed to your channel! I have rectified this immediately :D Keep up the great work!

  • @hekkie6082
    @hekkie6082 5 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Although I understand the fact that many people like LALD, it's just not really my cup of tea. No idea why, but it's just all a bit too slow and "voodoo" for me to enjoy it as much as most of the Moore films. Don't get me wrong, I still like this one and it deserves the praise to get Bond back on track after DAF. Funny enough I do like TMWTGG very much and hope one day people will give it some more credits. Anyway, great review again Calvin! Thank you very much for your indept thoughts, opinions and high-lighting some goofy moments again.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Gosse Drent thanks very much, Gosse! I can understand why people would feel the way you do. To be honest, I didn’t really consider until this watching how few standout action moments there are. It’s quite tame in that regard really. Obviously the boat chase at the end is a big set piece but aside from that a lot of the action is quite tame.

  • @aaronmastriani1556
    @aaronmastriani1556 5 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Moore and Hedison had great chemistry together in ffolkes/North Sea Hijack and The Naked Face (which is probably the darkest and definitely the most brutal film Moore did). Would love to hear your thoughts on both of those.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I do need to check out more of the two of them together!

    • @johnkennethwiseman682
      @johnkennethwiseman682 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@calvindyson You have to see Naked Face. There is some great screen sharing between Moore and Hedison.

    • @scottjo63
      @scottjo63 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ME TOO, fFolkes fFolkes.fFolkesfFolkes fFolkes PLEASE. Here again under North Sea Hijack th-cam.com/video/DPQua0Hg7N4/w-d-xo.html. And don't forget Anthony Perkins as the bad guy. You know James Bond vs Norman Bates. With an ending that will give you goosebumps guaranteed. Meow. Unfortunately The Naked Face may not be so easy to find. That movie is also with rod steiger, an art Carney.

    • @aaronmastriani1556
      @aaronmastriani1556 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The Naked Face also has Moore's friend and Escape to Athena co-star Elliott Gould.

    • @Clay3613
      @Clay3613 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@calvindyson The Man Who Haunted Himself is great too. The first instance of moving mattes used for doubling an actor.

  • @MorganOwen8958
    @MorganOwen8958 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I have always loved this movie. It is easily one of Moore’s best. It has great action sequences with the boat chase being a standout. Moore gives an excellent debut performance and Yaphet Kotto’s Kananga is a great Bond villain and Jane Seymour’s solitaire is a great Bond girl. The film also has great henchman in Tee Hee and Baron Samedi. The film also has an awesome theme song.

  • @michaelcallaghan4336
    @michaelcallaghan4336 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Controversial statement: America has never looked good on screen in a Bond film.

  • @TerryOnTuesday
    @TerryOnTuesday 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    How could you not comment on Samedi's initial arrival from the grave, where Bond blows half of his head off? His eyes look up at the smoking cavity, then Bond blows the rest of him away. Was it an animatronic for show? Was it an example of Samedi's ability to come back from death time and time again? As a 13 yr old, that scene scared the bejeezus aout of me, and as I watched it yesterday (now aged 51), the effect still looks flawless. Creepy as all hell.

    • @TheT3rr0rMask
      @TheT3rr0rMask 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It's one of the best effects in the series for sure, wicked unsettling

  • @senorincredible
    @senorincredible 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I like this movie more with every viewing. It's a great, solid start from Moore who looks decidedly fresh-faced and youthful compared to Connery in DoF (despite being the same age!) Jane Seymour is ridiculously beautiful and Solitaire had some interesting concepts as a character which could have done with more exploration. Likewise Kananga, who is a very interesting villain with a plausible scheme, but I don't think we saw enough of. It's just generally great to, as you say, see Bond as a fish out of water for much of this movie. The title song is one of the best, and the movie balances humour and action and drama much more effectively than its predecessor and successor. Not a fan of Sheriff Pepper though!

    • @senorincredible
      @senorincredible 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Also - "names is for tombstones, baby" is such a cool line!

  • @uncannyx
    @uncannyx 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Roger Moore is a great Bond. Live and Let Die has some of my favorite artwork, I have the soundtrack on vinyl and it's hanging on my wall.. and I love that line "who's funeral?", "yours..."

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Always think that sequence is like something out of a Hitchcock film.

  • @zanemurcha2675
    @zanemurcha2675 5 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    The acting in that finale shows that Jane Seymour is much more than a pretty face... and body... and legs.

    • @Clay3613
      @Clay3613 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      To quote CIA Agent Stan Smith, "Jane Seymour from behind, Jane Seymour from behind...".

  • @garrick3727
    @garrick3727 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Yaphet Kotto (RIP) - A great actor and one of the best Bond villains.

    • @cooperwolfe5478
      @cooperwolfe5478 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I agree. Personally he’s a top 10 Bond villain of all time.

  • @ChristianBaleBatman
    @ChristianBaleBatman 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My favourite Bond movie. Roger Moore is great as 007. He is such a gentleman, so sophisticated, debonair and even a little bit arrogant. Besides I love this review. Finally someone who praises the movie and talks positively about it. I was shocked when I saw a video on youtube listing all the bond movies (best to worst). LALD was ranked at the bottom as one of the worst movies (video by Looper). I mean, how can you not see that LALD is a cinematic experience: The villains are superb (Yaphet Cotto and Geoffrey Houlder are amazing), the setting is beautiful (Jamaica, New Orleans and New York) and the chemistry between Moore and Hedison...

    • @chrismc410
      @chrismc410 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Its not arrogance if you can back it up.

  • @BigMack1959
    @BigMack1959 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I always took it that at the airfield Solitaire acted like that to cause a distraction to let Bond escape.

  • @georgejones8481
    @georgejones8481 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    The funeral procession assassination is the most over the top, implausible and has so many mitigating circumstances to fuck it up but I love it 😂😂

  • @rivalflash4569
    @rivalflash4569 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    “Who’s she even waving to?.... Oof!” 😂😂😂

  • @calql8er
    @calql8er 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    It was not an act of betrayal on Solataire's part. She was creating a diversion for him to escape.
    One of the few bad moments was Kanaga's death. It was silly and the producers should have know better.
    Great final fight scene between Bond and Teehee. And that final shot of Baron Samedi - luv it!!!

    • @horrorfanandy4647
      @horrorfanandy4647 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@grantmalone
      I can overlook it, but that might just be nostalgia talking. Tbh, having it offscreen with a Bond reaction shot in place, whilst cheap, would:
      1) Make what happens far more horrifying, as it’s left to your imagination.
      2) Gets rid of that truly _terrible_ effect. I still to this day don’t know what they were thinking!

    • @imfsresidentotaku9699
      @imfsresidentotaku9699 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@horrorfanandy4647 Having Kananga's death offscreen wouldn't line up with what the series established, showing the big bad go out in a big, bad way, so it's obvious what they were thinking. If you "don’t know what they were thinking," you have failed at watching James Bond. It's not a "truly terrible effect." It's pretty competently done, appropriately explosive, and fitting of the tone of the film, not to mention satisfying. They made a dummy of Kananga, inflated it, and blew it up. That gets the job done, I think. I don't think there was any way they could've created the effect in 1973 without making it too graphic or less convincing. And it's not like the way Kananga is killed is exactly unreasonable, considering that the kind of bullet that Bond stuffed in his mouth blew up a couch in similar fashion just a few minutes earlier, so the doctor's explosive demise doesn't come out of nowhere, but rather was set up ahead of time. Setting up the anti-shark bullets in this manner makes it clear that they're going to come into play in the climax, and what better way to do that than use one of them to deliver the killing blow? As the Chekhov's gun principle states, "One must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn't going to go off. It's wrong to make promises you don't mean to keep." It's not even out of the ordinary for Bond baddies to go out in such a big, bad way. I mean, in this series, there are villains who are boiled alive, burned alive, shredded, electrocuted, harpooned, crushed, devoured by sharks and piranhas, dropped from dizzying heights, sucked out of airplanes, and ejected into space, but blowing up like a balloon is where we draw the line? Suuuure. Also, this is a James Bond film in which supernatural events occur. I'd say a suspension of disbelief is required.
      Besides, never blame nostalgia for overlooking it. Nostalgia is your friend. Let it hold your hand. It will make things all the more enjoyable. And never refer to it in a condescending manner.

    • @imfsresidentotaku9699
      @imfsresidentotaku9699 ปีที่แล้ว

      So, you're saying that "the producers should have know better" than to kill off the big bad in a big, bad way, something that's on par with the course for Bond films? Who are you to second guess them on how to create an exciting climax? Even if you want to call it "silly," it wouldn't exactly be out of place with the film's camp.

    • @horrorfanandy4647
      @horrorfanandy4647 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@imfsresidentotaku9699
      Don’t get me wrong, I love the moment (this was my first James Bond film after all) but when I look at it out of context the effect looks completely ridiculous even by James Bond standards, it not the fact he blows up like a balloon, because you’re right, there are more ridiculous things that happen, it’s simply how cheap it looks, it feels like they were cutting a corner there.
      I don’t mind, it doesn’t break my immersion at all, and the film is brilliant, but I just think there were better ways to do it even back then, regardless of how seriously you take the film, because it *looks cheap.* I love nostalgia, but I have to be subjective as well. Still a top 5 Bond film however!

  • @richardfuchs3690
    @richardfuchs3690 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    LALD has always been one of my go-to Bonds that I can watch almost any time. Despite some short comings, it's still very fun and entertaining, and it established Roger Moore in the role very well. It was also great to see so many black actors and stunt people being featured so prominently. It's certainly much more progressive than the book in it's attitude towards the black characters.

  • @davidjames579
    @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Yes, I remember seeing LALD for the first time. I was 10, and I remember being shocked by Mr Big revealed to be Kananga. I was actually anticipating a scene where B and K interact with each other!
    As a side-note, I love how Bond's goading of Big, seems to push Kananga to reveal. Almost like he thought as Big, he could get the answers from Bond, and he hadn't planned to un-mask. Love Bond's lines: "I didn't know you were so scared of him". "I don't talk to Lackies". It totally riles Big up. Also, Roger's reacting, after the un-masking, saying "That's a turn-up for the books", but not losing his cool.

  • @muhammadfarhan581
    @muhammadfarhan581 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    All bond girls are hot. But only jane seymour maintain that hotness at 80

    • @Detdoncarter
      @Detdoncarter 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      She’s 69

    • @vickjr98
      @vickjr98 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Detdoncarter still pretty isn't she

  • @Protoman85
    @Protoman85 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    18:25 I thouht Solitaire attacked Bond there just in order to not have it look like she was with him, to avoid getting killed by Kananga later

  • @jeremylpcollier
    @jeremylpcollier 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I love Live and Let Die, and I watched it yesterday and was blown away that Mr Big & Kananga were the same person, I suppose after so many years I just forgot that detail. As the mask peels away I just sat there like... 'what the heck!?' 😂🤣

  • @commodorerook3797
    @commodorerook3797 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I took her attack of Bond at the plane was just a distraction of the guards.

    • @OuterGalaxyLounge
      @OuterGalaxyLounge 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Of course. It's crazy how he overlooks this most obvious explanation and overthinks it to death.

  • @aryaniyer1147
    @aryaniyer1147 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I would love to see your new and fresh opinion on LTK after your Fleming novel phase😉

  • @babyfir77
    @babyfir77 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I would say Whisper didn't survive. That device he got trapped within was air tight.........

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      If we're taking 007 Racing as canon (which, is a dubious thing to do I'd say!) then he apparently did survive. All depends on how quickly or bothered Bond was to inform anyone; "Any loose ends we need to take care of, 007?" pause "... No"

  • @jackmessent3490
    @jackmessent3490 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Great review Calvin, Roger Moore is my favourite Bond as well! :)

  • @alexojideagu
    @alexojideagu 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The Fillet O Soul Bar is actually showing the bad guys as far more street wise. This part is the most naive Bond has ever been shown. He has almost zero self awareness and doesn't know what "Waste him" means. He's almost at Pink Panther levels of ignorance, stumbling through and miraculously escaping. Blissfully unaware how much he stands out.

  • @ObsessedCollector
    @ObsessedCollector 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hitting Bond with the bag was intentional. Solitaire knew she was gonna die by Mr Big if she let them kill Bond. By creating the distraction, she knew Bond could have a chance to get away and possibly kill the baddies setting her free. Plus she was in love with Bond.

  • @thewickerman4083
    @thewickerman4083 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Yet another great review Calvin. I am in total agreement. I love Live and Let Die and find it to be one of the most entertaining Bond films. I am always a little confused when I see it ranked low down on fans Bond rankings, but that's what makes being a Bond fan so interesting, there is a Bond film for everybody.

  • @thomsboys77
    @thomsboys77 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Sheriff Pepper looks a bit like how Goldfinger is described in the novel

  • @Thatguy55595
    @Thatguy55595 4 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    Lol it’s hilarious how the actor who played Solitaire was 21-22 sleeping with a 45 year old man 🤣🤣🤣

    • @Thatguy55595
      @Thatguy55595 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      HKAR literally never seen that happen in my life but I guess your right it probably does. You sound 12 by that comment

    • @marcuszc3172
      @marcuszc3172 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I dont get the joke ....it does happen... a lot

    • @lil_dak_1587
      @lil_dak_1587 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I Don’t Give Canuck
      I was just about to say that.

    • @KittyKatt_Luna80s
      @KittyKatt_Luna80s 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's always a thing in older films - the female love interest was played by a beautiful woman between the ages of 21-29. Once she hit her 30's, she was considered old hat and relegated to the role of "mother figure". However, her leading man could be between 10 - 25 years older than her.
      Thankfully, they seem to be allowing the older ladies to shine nowadays. ;-)

    • @Thatguy55595
      @Thatguy55595 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@KittyKatt_Luna80s lmaoo thanks man

  • @kuribayashi84
    @kuribayashi84 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    > Why the Jump?
    Holy shit, I never noticed that!

  • @oswaldavio3498
    @oswaldavio3498 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    15:06... Kananga's reaction to Solitaire's cheeky answer to his question... epic!

  • @jonathancampbell5231
    @jonathancampbell5231 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    22:22 "..and while he'll go much bigger later on..."
    I see what you did there.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Jonathan Campbell HA! Completely unintentional I swear 😆

    • @SPECTRE_Madman
      @SPECTRE_Madman 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      29:05

  • @dalebaker9109
    @dalebaker9109 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Your the best, but I really don't have to tell you this. The review is superb, I love the film and the theme tune. The good thing, is for once Roger Moore looks young enough for the role, at this point, but time was not kind to him, he was great as bond. I had the pleasure of meeting Roger in 2007, he was a gent, I got his autograph, which I treasure.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Dale Baker I’ve honestly never heard a bad word said about Roger. He sounds like he was just a class act in every way. Proper gentleman. And thanks for the kind words!! Really appreciate it 😁😁

    • @dalebaker9109
      @dalebaker9109 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@calvindyson thank you Calvin, i am so honoured with your reply.

  • @johnkennethwiseman682
    @johnkennethwiseman682 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    one thing annoyed me, NO Q!!!!!
    And also in the battle between Bond and Kananga, the latter is inflated by the bullet and explodes. not a trace of blood anywhere.

  • @Lichtenhammer
    @Lichtenhammer 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I remember being pleasantly surprised by the scene in which Dr. Kananga took his Mr. Big mask off when first watching the movie. During Mr. Big's first scene, I remember 13 year old me being like "Who's this Mr. Big guy? He seems brutish and not very smart. Give me more scenes with Dr. Kananga, he seems like a fun villain!", so when it was later revealed that they were the same person, I actually really liked that twist.
    On an unrelated note, I really enjoyed the comedy bits you inserted here and there, such as M's heart being ripped out by Bond's watch or you being hit by Bond's cigarre.

  • @gocsa
    @gocsa 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    You deserve a "like" on this video just for that cigar animation alone lol. Great review as always, Calvin.

    • @bradbruhn9586
      @bradbruhn9586 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ...moments like that are why I watch Calvin

  • @robertharvey2604
    @robertharvey2604 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I had not seen this film in a long time and I was surprised when I watched it again how the campiness wasn't overdone. Sure there was Pepper but I liked him. The worst bit was Kananga's death, otherwise this was a great improvement over Diamonds. Very debut and the cast is great. Kananga is a strong villain, the henchmen are outstanding and Solitaire is a bit wishy-washy but Jane Seymour is a great actress. The cast really sells this one. The boat chase is epic. Overall, this is one of my favorites.

  • @paultownsley5521
    @paultownsley5521 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I just noticed at 12:59 the tarot card sign has the letters j and b on each of the columns

  • @Betta66
    @Betta66 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Wait, George Martin scored this?! As in, Beatles producer George Martin? That explains so much.

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's the chap! I believe McCartney either suggested or insisted that he do the score.

  • @ammosophobia
    @ammosophobia 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Rosie Carver: ... They'll kill me if I do.
    James Bond : And I'll kill you if you don't.
    Rosie Carver : But you couldn't. You wouldn't. Not after what we just done.
    James Bond : Well, I certainly wouldn't have killed you before.

  • @expendableindigo9639
    @expendableindigo9639 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I totally remember the Kanaga/Mr. Big twist impacting me, and I loved the absurdity of it. It also simplifies the plot quite a bit that we don't have too many villains, I mean there's already SO many henchmen in this film who don't get much screen time. I thought they did a decent job of insisting enough times that Mr. Big is a thing, to the point where you remember it, but then when the twist is revealed you realize that's why they kept mentioning him. They didn't NEED to do it by any stretch, but it's it does stick on in my mind as one of the better twists in the series.

    • @kenshiroFNS
      @kenshiroFNS 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I could tell something was up in Mr. Big's first scene. His face looked fake AF

  • @jackmatthew1880
    @jackmatthew1880 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Calvin, I hate to break it you but I'm pretty sure that those are dolphin fins. (Shark fins are less crescent-shaped.)

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Does this change the meaning of the scene to Help Is Close At Hand?

  • @garybryant1501
    @garybryant1501 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    During the New York scenes I always half expect Popeye Doyle or Kojak to show up 😁

  • @DyrianLightbringer
    @DyrianLightbringer 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I always assumed that Baron Samedi was just an actor/henchman playing the role of a voodoo entity. When Bond blows his head open and proceeds to dismantle him in his first appearance in the graveyard, I assume Samedi had to know that Bond wasn't out of ammo yet, and sent up a dummy. Notice it doesn't move, except for the eyes. Then he rises up out of the grave and actually attacks Bond, and when he gets thrown into a coffin filled with snakes, he writhes around as if he's getting bitten, but what if those snakes aren't venomous? The voodoo wolf-man takes the same snake out of the coffin in both scenes. Maybe it's the only venomous snake in there, so wouldn't have been in the coffin when Samedi landed in it. So, quite possible Samedi could have survived, though why he's sitting on the front of a train engine instead of helping Teehee kill Bond is anyone's guess.

  • @squemps1
    @squemps1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Speaking of psycho! Are you going to continue your Hitchcock reviews? 🙂

  • @lucaseverin666
    @lucaseverin666 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    1:37 its actually 1.85:1 its only the first 3 movies thats in 1.66:1 so Live And Let Die is still wider then Dr. No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger but yeah its still werid that its not 2.35:1 like the other movies

  • @jameskennedy4377
    @jameskennedy4377 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Decent film but not one of my favorite Bonds. The low-key introduction of Moore's Bond is strange. I understand the producers wanted to avoid anything reminiscent of Lazenby's intro but in retrospect, it was a real missed opportunity for a cool sequence (even Connery's return in DAF is handled in a semi-suspenseful way by not immediately showing his face). It would have been easy to include Bond as one of the intended victims of the assassinations we see in the opening and use his thwarting of the killers as an action-oriented method for presenting Roger Moore as Bond.

  • @300kapslar
    @300kapslar 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I saw it as a kid in the early 80's on VHS and it became my most favourite Bond movie. Here in Sweden they censured the cutting in arm scene, the ratio was 4:3 so the cutting was out of frame, I was verry surprising in the later 80's when FilmNet showed the movie with the cutting vissible. :)

  • @samclark379
    @samclark379 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Interesting point of trivia: the sheriff from "Diamonds Are Forever" only had one other movie credit in his career, and it was "Live And Let Die", in which he also played a police officer.

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Just looked him up on IMDB, and weirdly his main career was in Transportation on movies. Strange how he ended up playing two Sheriffs in Bond films! Although he isn't at Clifton James' level, I love the disappointed look he gives Bond in Diamonds when approaching the car. Not Angry, Just Disappointed.
      Another bit of triv: The actor who plays the waiter who takes Bond's order in the Harlem Fillet Of Soul also played Che Che, Draco's henchman who Bond has a fight with in the hotel room. He later would play a member of Stromberg's crew. His name is Irvin Allen, which is similar to Irving Allen, Cubby Broccoli's first business partner, who told Ian Fleming that the Bond novels weren't good enough for TV, let alone movies! Years later, he produced the Bond apeing Matt Helm films.

    • @rafachrzaszcz6997
      @rafachrzaszcz6997 ปีที่แล้ว

      He also played that kind of sheriff in 1976 "Silver streak" - a very nice comedy with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. There also another Bond character. Richard Kiel... with his steel jaws!!! It was a year before "The spy who loved me" so i think they adapted this character to James Bond franchise.

    • @samclark379
      @samclark379 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@rafachrzaszcz6997 You're thinking of Clifton James. I'm referring to Leroy Hollis, whose only two acting credits are the ones I mentioned.

    • @rafachrzaszcz6997
      @rafachrzaszcz6997 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@samclark379 okay, I know! He played another sheriff in LALD

  • @GrahamMilkdrop
    @GrahamMilkdrop 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I think this is one of those rare films that is less than the sum of its parts. The performances are all just brilliant... the staging, pacing and design come together to create genuine tension in places... the comedy works.... but somehow as a whole... it falls down.
    Maybe it IS the aspect ratio?!

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The film seems to be made up of sections bolted together. I remember as a kid, the speedboat section seemed to go on forever. I remember my Dad going outside to do some DIY as it started, and coming back towards the end, and exclaiming in disbelief, "are they still in the speedboats?!".

  • @angelcastaneda529
    @angelcastaneda529 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    You will always be the Weekly Bond guy to me, Agent Dyson.

  • @mrrandomdude4291
    @mrrandomdude4291 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I swear some of your facial expressions are classic, make me laugh quite a bit 👍

    • @calvindyson
      @calvindyson  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks :D I'm pleased to hear!

  • @Cybernetika3
    @Cybernetika3 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Finally the live and let die review that I was expecting

  • @jordza2k11
    @jordza2k11 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Tom Mankiewicz is right but also misses an obvious point, its based in Harlem, and its made in 1972 (to come out in 73) any stereotype, even Die Hard 3 did this, is to say Harlem is pretty much all black, and caribbean islands (which is what I believe San Monique is based on) have a mostly black populace, but couldn't agree with you more on how this films importance is in the whole franchise Calvin

  • @crakatoot5480
    @crakatoot5480 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Baron Samedi was always the COOLEST and most BAD ASS Bond villain

  • @samulihapponen6228
    @samulihapponen6228 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Brilliant review mate, Live and let die is one of my favourite Bond films

  • @KalEl290
    @KalEl290 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Another awesome review! Very similar feelings here. Sherriff Pepper does not belong in this film, but I laugh at every line he's got regardless. Moore's... erhm... 'seduction' of Solitaire really hasn't aged well. And I think more than any film, I love the moments when the riff from the title song sneaks into the soundtrack - the end of the boat chase, Bond having his arm sliced.

    • @davidjames579
      @davidjames579 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's funny how with the Sheriff pepper section, the film pretty much swings into another movie, a proto Smokey And The Bandit! It's like when you pass you through his Parish, it stops being a Bond film!
      Bond's ruthless using of situations to his advantage are realistic for what a spy has to do, but rubs the line of what's okay in film entertainment. I buy Bond as a character having to do it, but whether we want to see our hero do it is something else. At the time though, it probably was perceived as a "Way hey! Not 'arf lads, get it where you can" snigger.

  • @casperingels2220
    @casperingels2220 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    The pacemaker gave me a good laugh!

  • @lchatts1
    @lchatts1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The way I always understood the Seymour Slap™️ was her improvising, but you’re right, how did this timid & sheltered person all of a sudden know how to act when the shite hit the fan? Maybe the cards told her

  • @GamingWithVector
    @GamingWithVector 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Calvin. Been a old time sub......kinda hate the joke edits.

  • @piotrbugaj5179
    @piotrbugaj5179 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I've actually always interpreted Solitare's behavior, when she hits Bond with her back, that she came up with an idea for causing a commotion and help Bond escape in a way that wouldn't raise suspicions from the other henchmen.

  • @scottblasingame9789
    @scottblasingame9789 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Having just re-watched this, I was surprisingly disappointed in this film. Way too many Kanaga's goons are everywhere, traps are everywhere, and Bond escapes after getting easily caught. It feels like most of the film is 007 fumbling his way around and getting caught while simultaneously trying to get every female in bed. The boat stunts are great, even if the scene is bit too long. It's sort of a love/hate thing with JW Pepper. He's cringey, but also there's an undercurrent of something interesting there. Yaphet Kotto was great, but Kanaga's insistence on giving Bond a spectacular death is why that trope has been parodied so much. Certainly not the worst bond (I'm looking at you Quantum of Solace), but my memory had it a lot better than I find it now.

  • @kristanjohnson6084
    @kristanjohnson6084 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I really like LaLD, it's higher up in my ranking of Bond films. Jane Seymour performs very well and is so beautiful. The watch gadget and it's uses is one of my favorites. The villains are fun, and I like how there is something eerie and unexplained about Baron Samedi. You comment on it a little with his last appearance at the end of the film, but there's a little more there in his fight at Solitaire's sacrifice. There's this weird moment where Bond shoots his head off one moment, and then he rises again from the grave fully intact before being thrown into a coffin of snakes. I read the end appearance as just a bit of fun, too, rather than take it literally. I commend you for sticking to your guns about Sheriff J.W. Pepper, he isn't as fun for me but if you get a kick out of him that's great!
    One thing that is really fun and fascinating is having had the chance to read some of the original Flemming novels, and being able to compare how different some of the novels are to their movie counterparts.