Always been a big fan of both Dalton & Living Daylights. I like Licence To Kill but always preferred Daylights. Saw it twice at the cinema when first released. Always wished Dalton had done more films than just the two.
Regarding TLD. My fave dalton bond film. Didn't understand the plot when I first saw it as a 7 yr old. I love the spycraft here, probably more a reason why the bad guys weren't menacing.
Licence to Kill was actually my fave because he was so 007 going "rogue" and all and so rugged and yes, INTENSE. I loved The Living Daylights but that was more romantic and romanticized but loved it all the same. Timothy Dalton has always been so underrated. He was so handsome, Alpha Male, rugged and edgy and OMG, he was PHENOMENAL! I would take Dalton over the late Roger Moore as 007, any day and I was so sad to see that he only did two Bond films---but the timing and his schedule just did not align. Dalton was the truce successor to Connery--not Daniel Craig.
Excellent points! I loved the all the classical music and European elegance of Living Daylights, but equally loved the machismo and roguishness of Licence to Kill
@@nashf5925 Very true, but I don't understand it. Why come to America and hang out in a dry desert🏜 when you can go to the beach in California?🤔🏄🏽♂️⛱🌊🏝🏄🏽♀️🏖🏄🏽♂️🚤⛵🌁🧜🏽♀️🎣🤽🏽♀️🏄🏽♀️
I love The Living Daylights, it is one of my favorite Bond movies. It is my son’s very favorite Bond movie (he is 14). The film’s greatest weakness is the two main villains, but they still aren’t the worst in the series imo. Also, I actually really like the henchman Necros - he is one of my favorite henchmen in the series. I also like the Bond girl Kara - Maryam D’Abo has such an innocent beauty.
I loved both Living Daylights and License to Kill, but for different reasons. I loved Living Daylights for the return of the deadly assassin Bond of the books (I remember sitting in the theater back in '87 and smiling at the line "Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals."). License to Kill, while not as good, reminds me of the amazing summer of '89 which was a great time for me personally (just graduated college/commissioned as a US Navy Ensign/spending that summer in Newport RI for school). Plus, Carey Lowell in that short hair cut, WOW!!!!!!
The script had been written for TLD before a new Bond had been signed. So it was a pretty safe film that any chosen actor could have done. 'Licence to Kill' was more tailor made to suit Dalton.
Dalton read Ian Fleming's books to research Bond. This is how he perceived how to play Bond. He was more serious, ruthless with the handsomeness and charm. Great portrayal after Moore, they needed to get serious back to 007 character roots. I won Living Daylights VHS entered contest for Star magazine, what should be next Bond plot. So this one has a soft spot for me. Timothy Dalton is a great actor. Shakespearean actor. First saw him in Wuthering Heights 1970. Lion and the Winter. Was even in a Charlie's Angels episode, Farrah love interest. Dalton is an underrated actor. He is intense be it drama to comedy. If MGM and United Artists wouldn't of battled out the long drawn lawsuit early 90's Dalton would of done maybe 3 more Bonds, he lost interest after the delay of MGM UA battle. Well I say Bravo to Timothy Dalton. Love his acting and portrayal as Bond! Darling!😇
I grew up with ROGER Moore at the movies. Watched Connery on TV as Bond. Started reading Fleming at the end of Moore’s Bond and I was so excited to see the choice to go with Dalton. I was not disappointed at all. He is Bond. Sadly the script failed in parts but damn he was Bond!
Thanks for the shout-out, guys! I agree that the tan suit is the best one of the film, but I don't mind the gun club check jacket. The damier check suit at the end of Spectre reminds me a bit of this, and both of these outfits are takes on the houndstooth check suit from Fleming's Bond. Fleming himself was a fan of checks. The low contrast in this outfit along with the knitted tie makes this look like a take on the hacking jacket from Goldfinger. These clothes may be full-cut, but they still look a hell of a lot better than what we see in Licence to Kill. This is one of my favourite Bond films, despite the ready-to-wear clothes, mostly because of Barry's excellent score, that you guys talked so much about. This film gets so much right.
I'm loving this series. You guys should go back and review the rest of the films once you finish Goldeneye and Casino Royale. That would be a fun lead up to Bond 25.
For me one of the best ever bond films. Great bond great cast great stunts. One of the best pre title sequence one of the best film scores. Great mix’s of one liners and tuff guy mix.
Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough are my Pierce Brosnan's favourites :) They have a BIG impact on me and specially in my childhood. Can't wait for the next video!
The World Is Not Enough is underrated. It feels like an predecessor to Skyfall, and yes, Skyfall is better, but that doesn't mean The World Is Not Enough isn't good in its own right.
Yes I agree The Living Daylights is Daltons best. The whole Cold War thing is effective & the whole movie moves at a fast pace is tense with good action. I fancy a tan suit maybe I will get one one day!
Living Daylight was inarguably Dalton's finest among his two Bond movie. The movie has a richer and subtle plot along with characterization. The movie is in different settings and Dalton has left a deep impact from his first film. License to kill has defined dramatic decisive moment during the film particularly infront of M. Both films are full of action and thrilling adventures which are the Hallmark of 007 films.
Saw this as a 14 year old. It had been out a few years, It was the 3rd Bond film I ever saw and it totally blew me away/ This is great film. The acting is fantastic. Dalton has great screen presence. He effortlessly personifies the role, (unlike Craig IMHO). The locations are superb. The last of the Cold War Bond films. Moore and Connery were so good but Dalton managed to find something else to make the role his own. he really got the essence of Fleming's Bond. And the Bond girl is absolutely beautiful. As is the Aston. In my top 5 Bond films too.
I like better License to Kill because Sánchez is more realistic and dangerous villain. The two bad guys in TLD (no the henchman) are like cartoons for me.
The main villains of Living Daylights are like Scratch and Grounder from the adventures of sonic the hedgehog cartoon. Cheesy as hell for villains in a massively underrated bond film
Dalton was good as the brooding, vengeful Bond, esp Licence to Kill. But mixing him with women and martinis certainly didn't meld too well. I think this also had a lot to do with the big AIDs scare of the 80s. I wasn't crash hot on Living Daylights, although story wise it did focus heavily on the dying relics of the cold war (esp the Russian Afghan conflict) and brought a sense of relevant current affairs to the table. Licence to Kill was my favorite as it was my first Dalton film.
Good review guys! I remember seeing this in theaters opening weekend with my parents - I was about 12 years old and a budding Bond fan, growing up on the Moore films - and it's a damn good film, definitely in the top half of all Bond films. Yes the villains are kind of weak but I think Necros is actually one of THE better henchmen in the series, Top Five overall possibly....the scene where he slips into the MI6 safe-house as a milk-man was pretty bad-ass! I also forgot how good the score was and for the record that song is "Where Has Everybody Gone?" by Chrissie Hynde....of The Pretenders....remember her? Show some respect one of the best female rockers of the '80's. :) I do disagree that it's Dalton's best Bond though....it's really good but not quite as good as License to Kill - yeah the Miami Vice comparison is somewhat apt and it's not helped by having Michael Kamen do the score - he was a great film composer but it sounded more like his previous hits (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard) than an actual Bond score. But.....Sanchez is one of THE best villains in the whole franchise, Davi just kills it - he seems like the rare Bond villain that you just do NOT want to fuck with....Benicio Del Toro's screen debut as Dario is pretty awesome too - I remember watching this and thinking "Who IS that guy? I can't take my eyes off him....I wanna see him more stuff." And within a few years....he was. ;) Carey Lowell is awesome as one of the best Bond "women" and Dalton's in a setting that seems to fit him much better than the previous film.....it just works as a simple revenge tale, which Bond is entitled to once in a while.
I've always like Kara Milovy because darnit, she's just so cute and innocent. But how she didn't sense she was being set up for a kill when they asked her to pose as a KGB assassin really pushes the envelope. BTW...loved Joe's quote "Hey, they're on a date...somebody's got to make the first move..."
I think that is why Koskov asks for Bond specifically - as he knows he has a soft spot for ladies and will not actually shoot Kara? (Unlike Saunders who would have done just that)
You guys should check out The Rocketeer from 1991 (just 2 years after License to Kill) which has Timothy Dalton as the main villain. He has so much edge that I honestly prefer him as a villain. I actually wouldn't mind him playing a "mentor" role to a young Bond in a future movie where he ends up being a surprise villain... could be an interesting reversal of roles for long term fans
That theory might be true for Craig and Brosnan (and Lazenby, by default) but in my humble opinion, The Living Daylights, while a decent (admittedly very Moore era) film, doesn't hold a candle to Licence To Kill. As doesn't Dr No to Goldfinger or From Russia With Love and Live and Let Die to The Spy Who Loved Me.
im not sure the theory holds up except for maybe Lazenby by default and Craig. Connery's best in my opinion is From Russia With Love I just really love the book so maybe im biased and I feel Moores best is The Spy Who Loved Me. with Dalton I see both his films as equal in my view. With Brosnan I switch between Goldeneye and Tomorrow Never Dies being my favourite it depends.
Great vid! I wish *TBE* would do a video about who most physically resembled the 007 of the Ian Fleming novels. In the novels (notably From Russia, with Love), Bond's physical description has generally been consistent: slim build; a three-inch long, thin vertical scar on his right cheek; blue-grey eyes; a "cruel" mouth; short, black hair, a comma of which falls on his forehead. . . *SO, WHO DO YOU THINK MOST FIT THAT BILL IN THE 007 ROLE?*
Great discussion. This film, more than any other in the series, has grown on me. Dalton is great as Fleming’s 007. The first act, based on the original short story, is A grade. Maybe the best 30 minutes of the whole series?! Good PCS, great theme, top score, classic Bond girl (feminine and dependable on our hero!), top gadgets, outstanding car, amazing locations, superb henchman, etc. Very much a viable spy plot. The only flaw in my opinion is the main villains are a tad forgettable. You chaps nailed it. 👏🏻
Cubby Brocoli offerred Moore a 5 picture deal after the success of TSWLM. Moore preferred to negotiate one film at a time. Thank goodness as Moore in 'The Living Daylights' is a terrifying thought.
In the great words of post A view to a kill roger moore, "I'm only 400 years too old to be playing bond." That always made me laugh. But yeah, Dalton being in the film was for the better. Moore's last film should've been Octopussy.
Moore's performance in AVTAK was also very flat. He had lost the twinkle in his eye & said his lines as if embarressed to say them. Probably realised early on it was a mistake & the film was below par.
@@adamcollins915 It's a real shame because it was just a mediocre way for Moore to leave the series.....kinda wish in retrospect that they acknowledged his age and played into a bit more.
Your theory is spot on. Although... would you say it for George's outing? Bond 25 needs to be an epic end to Craig's outing. Bring back the 00s intro scene or some form of bond back into military training or mission.
The 3rd of 3 Bonds with great, complex plots and amazing locations. I have difficulty deciding between late Moore and Dolton, except I'm glad they dispensed with the farce.
For me, Dalton's appeal has always been that he was trying to bring Fleming's creation to the silver screen. So I measure his performance, not to the cinematic interpretations that came before him, but to the character as described in the source material.
Really easy one for me..Living Daylights was much better than License to Kill! The main song is probably my favorite to this day! Next is my favorite Bond ever Goldeneye..will be a great episode! Casino Royale one will be also be good...so I agree with you, every first Bond movie with a new actor is the best one with him, only Connery beeing an exception (my favorite is Thunderball)
Hi David, just want to say thanks for the website, and the vlogs. Your content is brilliant. Just a quick question. I'm lucky enough to own some of the Daniel Craig era clothing. I'm saving up, and would like to ask; would it be better to buy the NPeal Lapis Blue mock turtle neck, or the Royale Filmwear Tom Ford replica? What would be your advice be?
LtK is my favourite of the 2 but I get the 'TV movie feel' reference, although along with the tighter, more parochial story I wonder if also the cast is a big part of that is that. Everett McGill, Anthony Zerbe, David Hedison and Robert Davi (great as he was) all give off that TV actor vibe. I understand how a Bond fan would rate LD higher as it contains the traditional Bond elements and looks great - it's just after a really good start it fades in the last 3rd -diminishing it's overall impact for me - in contrast to LtK which builds excellently to a very satisfying and memorable conclusion.
The Barry score is the first to feature drum machine along with its orchestration in nice balance between the two. I still own the mint-condition vinyl of this one, but the Spanish/Latin market edition "Alta Tension!"
I'm very much in the Living Daylights camp. It has everything you'd want in a Bond film (although it could have been sexed up a bit). Great to see a plot with some complexity to it as well.
It's good but Licence to Kill was Dalton's best IMO. Love the LTK locations, actors, plot, girls, grittiness and the music is my all time fave by Michael Kamen (RIP). If you disagree, 'Bless your heart.'
Dalton and Living day lights as of right now is my favorite but license to kill was horrid it had zero ingredients of the bond recipe and felt exactly like you said an episode of miami vice
I enjoyed Licence to Kill more in the theatre when I first saw it. However now, many many years later, It feels more dated in a way that it doesn't seem to be much of a Bond film. It feels more of it's time, and the time it was made, isn't the natural home of James Bond.
My favourite top bonds are the 62/77 classics they are 007 at the very best but I love the living daylights and its my number 11 best bond movie Dalton was a great 007 and this and licence to kill are better than any of the craig bonds oh and goldeneye is my number 12
Timothy Dalton was a great Bond in both, but Licence to Kill is the better movie. It had better bad guys that were equally menacing matches for Bond. I also loved the Scarface vibes it had. The villains in The Living Daylights were way too goofy to be threatening.
But a-ha was chosen for the the opening credits after Duran Duran a view to a kill I know the lyrics to this song the living daylights I literally sang along when it comes on darn but Morten had the good voice for it :)
Watch Timothy Dalton in wuthering heights, jane eyre, framed (omg good!!!!!!), the informant, the king's mistress, hot fuzz, beautician and the beast, dr and the devils, chuck (volkoff!), doom patrol. So many!
I'll take Georgey Koskov over Dominic Green.. love TLD. Good review gentleman ! The WA2000 is almost as much a star as any character in the story to me ! David you let me down.. where is your binocular eye glasses! No mention of the beautiful green Aston? And I believe they say " Where has everybody gone " lol only kidding. I' Have a good day chaps ! I'll give myself the boot.
There were good parts to it. The female lead was a little unusual in that she pretty much clinged to him but it also made for a more dramatic ending even though she was a double agent I didn't like that part. I thought they maybe cut her slack.
I like Dalton, but the one thing I criticize him for is he cannot pull off those one-liners and humor like the other guys... Even Daniel Craig can do it...
I certainly prefer Dalton to Craig. Similar version of the character, Dalton did it better, imo. And yeah his first one is easily the best of his two. But the rule of the first 007 movie being the best one doesn't apply to Roger Moore, and arguably to Connery also. With Dalton, Brosnan, Craig though it does.
Why is it that both Doctor Who fans and Bond fans are usually up in arms and not happy when A Bond film or an episode of Doctor who is filmed in America. They are not happy that the doctor who TV movie from 1996 was set in America but filmed in Canada and that LTK most of it was set in America?
TLD ticked all the boxes for a new Bond - sensitive, tough, in a tux, in casual wear. Thought the film was a bit all over the place & hard to follow. The two baddies story did not work as well as in Octopussy. Action a bit underwhelming, car chases & plane fights had been seen in previous Bonds. No laugh out loud moments. Dalton was not Moore but nothing wrong with humour.
This is IMO Timothy Daltons best Bond performance IMO, NO HATE, because he is LESS KILLY than in his next film AND he is the highlight of both his films and this is more bond than License to Kill which is WAYYYY too miami vice ish and these two are too brutal for the sake of it coming off of View to a Kill where Goldeneye is the better brutal graphic segwey for the series than this and yet this is still a great yet overly brutal and over different bond film!
Living Daylights is better Dalton film License to Kill was better performance for Dalton - esp scene bn him and Sanchez as well as the Hemingway house was quintessential smouldering Dalton
While Dalton puts in a strong performance in his first Bond film, that is undermined by his having to carry too much of the weight of the picture due to the weakness of the villains and the blandness of Kara. This is a script problem. d'Abo has warmth and likeability and does a decent job for an inexperienced actress, but it's not an interesting character. Krabbe might have been asked to act in that exaggerated way to counter balance Dalton's lower key brooding performance. Baker is just wasted. Only John Rhys-Davies is a proper foil for Dalton. And structurally the final third of the film is overlong and doesn't have a focused enough action/suspense buildup and climax. Dalton is placed front and center in a film that doesn't provide him with the support he needs.
The Living Daylights is near the bottom for me and is not Dalton's best, License to Kill is. Dalton's performance is better in LTK, Carey Lowell is far better than Maryam d' Abo , villains and henchman are far better in LTK, and the climactic scene in LTK is better. If one channel is showing LTK and another TLD, I am watching LTK
I love these reviews and explorations of all things Bond , but I have to say, at times, they do drift into unnecessary “ wokeness. . This is Bond, not Sex in the City.
I cannot believe this. TLD is so bad. The acting is awful from EVERYONE. The one liners are truly bad. The action and set pieces are pathetic. Ski chase on a cello case? Dear god. The bad guys are so lame. Good job he rescued Art Malik isnt it. Jeez. The "boot" ending is ridiculous. Just hold onto the netting. This film certainly gets "the boot". License to Kill is 1000 times better and in the Top 3 for me. Dalton is great in LTK but this seems more like a Moore outing. This is in the bottom 5 Bonds no question. I really can't fathom your thinking on this. Ive agreed with pretty much everything you guys have said up until now.The OST is great though.
Always been a big fan of both Dalton & Living Daylights. I like Licence To Kill but always preferred Daylights. Saw it twice at the cinema when first released. Always wished Dalton had done more films than just the two.
Regarding TLD. My fave dalton bond film. Didn't understand the plot when I first saw it as a 7 yr old. I love the spycraft here, probably more a reason why the bad guys weren't menacing.
Licence to Kill was actually my fave because he was so 007 going "rogue" and all and so rugged and yes, INTENSE. I loved The Living Daylights but that was more romantic and romanticized but loved it all the same.
Timothy Dalton has always been so underrated. He was so handsome, Alpha Male, rugged and edgy and OMG, he was PHENOMENAL! I would take Dalton over the late Roger Moore as 007, any day and I was so sad to see that he only did two Bond films---but the timing and his schedule just did not align. Dalton was the truce successor to Connery--not Daniel Craig.
I’m so with you!!!
But dalton made a appearance in the living daylights music video :)
Excellent points! I loved the all the classical music and European elegance of Living Daylights, but equally loved the machismo and roguishness of Licence to Kill
As a Brit - seeing two American guys geek out over Bond, somehow warms my cockles - I'm not sure why!
RighteousBrother there are tons of American Bond fans. I’ve been since I was around thirteen. I’m 59 now.
Yeah ive been watching Bond since i was 5 and im obsessed with them to this day and im 20 now. And im an American
Your, *cockles,"*? OK. LOL!!!!!
I've got the same admiration of like seeing Brits fascination with the American wild west, lol
@@nashf5925 Very true, but I don't understand it. Why come to America and hang out in a dry desert🏜 when you can go to the beach in California?🤔🏄🏽♂️⛱🌊🏝🏄🏽♀️🏖🏄🏽♂️🚤⛵🌁🧜🏽♀️🎣🤽🏽♀️🏄🏽♀️
I love The Living Daylights, it is one of my favorite Bond movies. It is my son’s very favorite Bond movie (he is 14). The film’s greatest weakness is the two main villains, but they still aren’t the worst in the series imo. Also, I actually really like the henchman Necros - he is one of my favorite henchmen in the series. I also like the Bond girl Kara - Maryam D’Abo has such an innocent beauty.
The kitchen fight with Necros is awesome. He really looks like a trained KGB killer. the Brit put up a good fight but was ultimately no real match.
I loved both Living Daylights and License to Kill, but for different reasons. I loved Living Daylights for the return of the deadly assassin Bond of the books (I remember sitting in the theater back in '87 and smiling at the line "Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals."). License to Kill, while not as good, reminds me of the amazing summer of '89 which was a great time for me personally (just graduated college/commissioned as a US Navy Ensign/spending that summer in Newport RI for school). Plus, Carey Lowell in that short hair cut, WOW!!!!!!
Dalton was incredible. I grew up with Moore but I seem to return to Dalton more often.
The script had been written for TLD before a new Bond had been signed. So it was a pretty safe film that any chosen actor could have done. 'Licence to Kill' was more tailor made to suit Dalton.
Dalton read Ian Fleming's books to research Bond. This is how he perceived how to play Bond. He was more serious, ruthless with the handsomeness and charm. Great portrayal after Moore, they needed to get serious back to 007 character roots. I won Living Daylights VHS entered contest for Star magazine, what should be next Bond plot. So this one has a soft spot for me. Timothy Dalton is a great actor. Shakespearean actor. First saw him in Wuthering Heights 1970. Lion and the Winter. Was even in a Charlie's Angels episode, Farrah love interest. Dalton is an underrated actor. He is intense be it drama to comedy. If MGM and United Artists wouldn't of battled out the long drawn lawsuit early 90's Dalton would of done maybe 3 more Bonds, he lost interest after the delay of MGM UA battle. Well I say Bravo to Timothy Dalton. Love his acting and portrayal as Bond! Darling!😇
He supposedly agreed to return for only 1 movie but cubby wanted him to do more because it’s been a big time gap and he just said no and left
I grew up with ROGER Moore at the movies. Watched Connery on TV as Bond. Started reading Fleming at the end of Moore’s Bond and I was so excited to see the choice to go with Dalton. I was not disappointed at all. He is Bond. Sadly the script failed in parts but damn he was Bond!
Thanks for the shout-out, guys! I agree that the tan suit is the best one of the film, but I don't mind the gun club check jacket. The damier check suit at the end of Spectre reminds me a bit of this, and both of these outfits are takes on the houndstooth check suit from Fleming's Bond. Fleming himself was a fan of checks. The low contrast in this outfit along with the knitted tie makes this look like a take on the hacking jacket from Goldfinger. These clothes may be full-cut, but they still look a hell of a lot better than what we see in Licence to Kill.
This is one of my favourite Bond films, despite the ready-to-wear clothes, mostly because of Barry's excellent score, that you guys talked so much about. This film gets so much right.
Couldn't agree more! Might have to rethink the gun club jacket!!
Roger 's Safari suit ? With cravatt of course ? Not an easy look to pull off ? ( I've tried !! )
I'm loving this series. You guys should go back and review the rest of the films once you finish Goldeneye and Casino Royale. That would be a fun lead up to Bond 25.
For me one of the best ever bond films. Great bond great cast great stunts. One of the best pre title sequence one of the best film scores. Great mix’s of one liners and tuff guy mix.
Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough are my Pierce Brosnan's favourites :) They have a BIG impact on me and specially in my childhood. Can't wait for the next video!
The World Is Not Enough is underrated. It feels like an predecessor to Skyfall, and yes, Skyfall is better, but that doesn't mean The World Is Not Enough isn't good in its own right.
@@TheR.E.A.L7DeadlyChins Yeah. It was a different time. It was the final 90's , for it's time, it is a great movie for me.at least hehe :D
The World is Not Enough is right behind Goldeneye for me.
I worked on the weekend this "Living Daylight's" came out. I got off on Saturday afternoon told no one and went and watched this. I couldn't wait.
Yes I agree The Living Daylights is Daltons best. The whole Cold War thing is effective & the whole movie moves at a fast pace is tense with good action. I fancy a tan suit maybe I will get one one day!
I love License to kill. I've watched it countless times. But to each is own.
Living Daylight was inarguably Dalton's finest among his two Bond movie. The movie has a richer and subtle plot along with characterization. The movie is in different settings and Dalton has left a deep impact from his first film. License to kill has defined dramatic decisive moment during the film particularly infront of M. Both films are full of action and thrilling adventures which are the Hallmark of 007 films.
I prefer "Licence to Kill" personally.
This movie brought back Aston Martin and that V8 chase sense is one of the best in all series.
Dalton is Fleming bond. It may be the best bond of all
Saw this as a 14 year old. It had been out a few years, It was the 3rd Bond film I ever saw and it totally blew me away/ This is great film. The acting is fantastic. Dalton has great screen presence. He effortlessly personifies the role, (unlike Craig IMHO). The locations are superb. The last of the Cold War Bond films. Moore and Connery were so good but Dalton managed to find something else to make the role his own. he really got the essence of Fleming's Bond. And the Bond girl is absolutely beautiful. As is the Aston. In my top 5 Bond films too.
I love this movie, but I love both of dalton's bonds, ohh how I wish he could have done more,
Love this film but I enjoy Licence to Kill just a little more because of Sanchez.
I like better License to Kill because Sánchez is more realistic and dangerous villain. The two bad guys in TLD (no the henchman) are like cartoons for me.
The main villains of Living Daylights are like Scratch and Grounder from the adventures of sonic the hedgehog cartoon. Cheesy as hell for villains in a massively underrated bond film
Dalton was good as the brooding, vengeful Bond, esp Licence to Kill. But mixing him with women and martinis certainly didn't meld too well. I think this also had a lot to do with the big AIDs scare of the 80s. I wasn't crash hot on Living Daylights, although story wise it did focus heavily on the dying relics of the cold war (esp the Russian Afghan conflict) and brought a sense of relevant current affairs to the table. Licence to Kill was my favorite as it was my first Dalton film.
Good review guys! I remember seeing this in theaters opening weekend with my parents - I was about 12 years old and a budding Bond fan, growing up on the Moore films - and it's a damn good film, definitely in the top half of all Bond films. Yes the villains are kind of weak but I think Necros is actually one of THE better henchmen in the series, Top Five overall possibly....the scene where he slips into the MI6 safe-house as a milk-man was pretty bad-ass! I also forgot how good the score was and for the record that song is "Where Has Everybody Gone?" by Chrissie Hynde....of The Pretenders....remember her? Show some respect one of the best female rockers of the '80's. :)
I do disagree that it's Dalton's best Bond though....it's really good but not quite as good as License to Kill - yeah the Miami Vice comparison is somewhat apt and it's not helped by having Michael Kamen do the score - he was a great film composer but it sounded more like his previous hits (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard) than an actual Bond score. But.....Sanchez is one of THE best villains in the whole franchise, Davi just kills it - he seems like the rare Bond villain that you just do NOT want to fuck with....Benicio Del Toro's screen debut as Dario is pretty awesome too - I remember watching this and thinking "Who IS that guy? I can't take my eyes off him....I wanna see him more stuff." And within a few years....he was. ;) Carey Lowell is awesome as one of the best Bond "women" and Dalton's in a setting that seems to fit him much better than the previous film.....it just works as a simple revenge tale, which Bond is entitled to once in a while.
Loved this review of Living Daylights. It’s in my top 10 Bonds. Licence to Kill not so much, but I’ve warmed up to it a bit as you mentioned.
I've always like Kara Milovy because darnit, she's just so cute and innocent. But how she didn't sense she was being set up for a kill when they asked her to pose as a KGB assassin really pushes the envelope. BTW...loved Joe's quote "Hey, they're on a date...somebody's got to make the first move..."
I think that is why Koskov asks for Bond specifically - as he knows he has a soft spot for ladies and will not actually shoot Kara? (Unlike Saunders who would have done just that)
You guys should check out The Rocketeer from 1991 (just 2 years after License to Kill) which has Timothy Dalton as the main villain. He has so much edge that I honestly prefer him as a villain. I actually wouldn't mind him playing a "mentor" role to a young Bond in a future movie where he ends up being a surprise villain... could be an interesting reversal of roles for long term fans
George Lazenby's best was definitely 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. ha ha
That theory might be true for Craig and Brosnan (and Lazenby, by default) but in my humble opinion, The Living Daylights, while a decent (admittedly very Moore era) film, doesn't hold a candle to Licence To Kill. As doesn't Dr No to Goldfinger or From Russia With Love and Live and Let Die to The Spy Who Loved Me.
Lots of TH-cam reviews of Bond movies. However good to have two people doing them in a conversational way.
Daylights is the best of the Dalton films by far. Get chemistry between Bond and the girl.
im not sure the theory holds up except for maybe Lazenby by default and Craig. Connery's best in my opinion is From Russia With Love I just really love the book so maybe im biased and I feel Moores best is The Spy Who Loved Me. with Dalton I see both his films as equal in my view. With Brosnan I switch between Goldeneye and Tomorrow Never Dies being my favourite it depends.
Great vid! I wish *TBE* would do a video about who most physically resembled the 007 of the Ian Fleming novels.
In the novels (notably From Russia, with Love), Bond's physical description has generally been consistent: slim build; a three-inch long, thin vertical scar on his right cheek; blue-grey eyes; a "cruel" mouth; short, black hair, a comma of which falls on his forehead. . . *SO, WHO DO YOU THINK MOST FIT THAT BILL IN THE 007 ROLE?*
The Living Daylights and License to Kill are the best James Bond movies.
@eating sugar no papa Yes they are you idiot
Nope.
I’ve never been much of a fan of this one, but License to Kill is Great
Great discussion. This film, more than any other in the series, has grown on me. Dalton is great as Fleming’s 007. The first act, based on the original short story, is A grade. Maybe the best 30 minutes of the whole series?! Good PCS, great theme, top score, classic Bond girl (feminine and dependable on our hero!), top gadgets, outstanding car, amazing locations, superb henchman, etc. Very much a viable spy plot. The only flaw in my opinion is the main villains are a tad forgettable. You chaps nailed it. 👏🏻
Can’t wait to get to this one tonight
“Where has everybody gone.”
Cubby Brocoli offerred Moore a 5 picture deal after the success of TSWLM. Moore preferred to negotiate one film at a time. Thank goodness as Moore in 'The Living Daylights' is a terrifying thought.
In the great words of post A view to a kill roger moore, "I'm only 400 years too old to be playing bond."
That always made me laugh. But yeah, Dalton being in the film was for the better. Moore's last film should've been Octopussy.
Moore's performance in AVTAK was also very flat. He had lost the twinkle in his eye & said his lines as if embarressed to say them. Probably realised early on it was a mistake & the film was below par.
@@adamcollins915 It's a real shame because it was just a mediocre way for Moore to leave the series.....kinda wish in retrospect that they acknowledged his age and played into a bit more.
I agree 100%. Wish we could have at least one more Bond with Dalton. 1. The Living Daylights (8th overall) and 2. License To Kill (overall 13th).
Your theory is spot on. Although... would you say it for George's outing? Bond 25 needs to be an epic end to Craig's outing. Bring back the 00s intro scene or some form of bond back into military training or mission.
Great film. Great soundtrack!
The 3rd of 3 Bonds with great, complex plots and amazing locations. I have difficulty deciding between late Moore and Dolton, except I'm glad they dispensed with the farce.
For me, Dalton's appeal has always been that he was trying to bring Fleming's creation to the silver screen. So I measure his performance, not to the cinematic interpretations that came before him, but to the character as described in the source material.
Really easy one for me..Living Daylights was much better than License to Kill! The main song is probably my favorite to this day! Next is my favorite Bond ever Goldeneye..will be a great episode! Casino Royale one will be also be good...so I agree with you, every first Bond movie with a new actor is the best one with him, only Connery beeing an exception (my favorite is Thunderball)
Hi David, just want to say thanks for the website, and the vlogs. Your content is brilliant. Just a quick question. I'm lucky enough to own some of the Daniel Craig era clothing. I'm saving up, and would like to ask; would it be better to buy the NPeal Lapis Blue mock turtle neck, or the Royale Filmwear Tom Ford replica? What would be your advice be?
Never understood the hate for License to Kill, that movie is so badass
LtK is my favourite of the 2 but I get the 'TV movie feel' reference, although along with the tighter, more parochial story I wonder if also the cast is a big part of that is that. Everett McGill, Anthony Zerbe, David Hedison and Robert Davi (great as he was) all give off that TV actor vibe.
I understand how a Bond fan would rate LD higher as it contains the traditional Bond elements and looks great - it's just after a really good start it fades in the last 3rd -diminishing it's overall impact for me - in contrast to LtK which builds excellently to a very satisfying and memorable conclusion.
TLD also had John Barry's best (and last) score I just felt hat Dalton was still shaking the ghost of Moore...
The Barry score is the first to feature drum machine along with its orchestration in nice balance between the two. I still own the mint-condition vinyl of this one, but the Spanish/Latin market edition "Alta Tension!"
My fav bond movie is Goldeneye & my fav Bond is Pierce Brosnan. Mainly because i'm a 90s baby.
Both Dalton films are superb and he is so under-valued as Bond. You are so wrong about Licence to Kill though. Easily in the top 5 of anyone´s list.
I'm very much in the Living Daylights camp. It has everything you'd want in a Bond film (although it could have been sexed up a bit). Great to see a plot with some complexity to it as well.
Dalton looks out of place in the bedroom.
The Dalton Bonds were killer. Living Daylights is awesome, and License to Kill is a nice honeymoooooooon to it.
It's good but Licence to Kill was Dalton's best IMO. Love the LTK locations, actors, plot, girls, grittiness and the music is my all time fave by Michael Kamen (RIP). If you disagree, 'Bless your heart.'
Dalton and Living day lights as of right now is my favorite but license to kill was horrid it had zero ingredients of the bond recipe and felt exactly like you said an episode of miami vice
It’s close for me, LTK is my 4th favourite Bond overall and TLD is my 6th
I enjoyed Licence to Kill more in the theatre when I first saw it. However now, many many years later, It feels more dated in a way that it doesn't seem to be much of a Bond film. It feels more of it's time, and the time it was made, isn't the natural home of James Bond.
My favourite top bonds are the 62/77 classics they are 007 at the very best but I love the living daylights and its my number 11 best bond movie Dalton was a great 007 and this and licence to kill are better than any of the craig bonds oh and goldeneye is my number 12
Timothy Dalton was a great Bond in both, but Licence to Kill is the better movie. It had better bad guys that were equally menacing matches for Bond. I also loved the Scarface vibes it had. The villains in The Living Daylights were way too goofy to be threatening.
Living daylights is good but I love LTK as my fav bond movie .
This is the best Bond film EVER!!!
But a-ha was chosen for the the opening credits after Duran Duran a view to a kill I know the lyrics to this song the living daylights I literally sang along when it comes on darn but Morten had the good voice for it :)
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!! THIS IS WHAT AS I KID I NOTICED. I WOULD TELL EVERYONE THIS SONCE I WAS 10...AND NO ONE WOULD REGISTER IT.
Watch Timothy Dalton in wuthering heights, jane eyre, framed (omg good!!!!!!), the informant, the king's mistress, hot fuzz, beautician and the beast, dr and the devils, chuck (volkoff!), doom patrol. So many!
Kara and Pam and Ve and Timothy Daltons Bond are the best parts of the films!
I'll take Georgey Koskov over Dominic Green.. love TLD. Good review gentleman ! The WA2000 is almost as much a star as any character in the story to me ! David you let me down.. where is your binocular eye glasses! No mention of the beautiful green Aston? And I believe they say " Where has everybody gone " lol only kidding. I' Have a good day chaps ! I'll give myself the boot.
8:35 What???? I think you have to re-check the lyrics to Where Has Everybody Gone...
It's a terrific theme, composed by John Barry.
My theory is that it's the 2nd film that has the Bond actor's best Bond performance, irrespective of the story.
There were good parts to it. The female lead was a little unusual in that she pretty much clinged to him but it also made for a more dramatic ending even though she was a double agent I didn't like that part. I thought they maybe cut her slack.
Dalton was very good as well as the movie ,more Fleming like ,Craig is the same.. Carry On
I like Dalton, but the one thing I criticize him for is he cannot pull off those one-liners and humor like the other guys... Even Daniel Craig can do it...
Necros is clearly inspired on RED GRANT (From Russia With Love)
Top 5
Yes I waited for this!!!!!!
I certainly prefer Dalton to Craig. Similar version of the character, Dalton did it better, imo. And yeah his first one is easily the best of his two.
But the rule of the first 007 movie being the best one doesn't apply to Roger Moore, and arguably to Connery also. With Dalton, Brosnan, Craig though it does.
Why is it that both Doctor Who fans and Bond fans are usually up in arms and not happy when A Bond film or an episode of Doctor who is filmed in America. They are not happy that the doctor who TV movie from 1996 was set in America but filmed in Canada and that LTK most of it was set in America?
Yes, it is.
Dalton was the best 🎰
If I said “ I love you guys”… would you say, You guys love me too? Or would I be like Andrew Garfield in Spider-Man : No Way Home?
TLD ticked all the boxes for a new Bond - sensitive, tough, in a tux, in casual wear. Thought the film was a bit all over the place & hard to follow. The two baddies story did not work as well as in Octopussy. Action a bit underwhelming, car chases & plane fights had been seen in previous Bonds. No laugh out loud moments. Dalton was not Moore but nothing wrong with humour.
Holds up.
This is IMO Timothy Daltons best Bond performance IMO, NO HATE, because he is LESS KILLY than in his next film AND he is the highlight of both his films and this is more bond than License to Kill which is WAYYYY too miami vice ish and these two are too brutal for the sake of it coming off of View to a Kill where Goldeneye is the better brutal graphic segwey for the series than this and yet this is still a great yet overly brutal and over different bond film!
LD is not my bag of chips, I want MOONRAKER
Sadly it was John Barry's last 007 score... RIP
Sean Connery's best is Goldfinger, then FRWL. Roger Moore's best is The Spy Who Loved Me, then Live and Let Die. So no :) hee hee
Wounded dove. Not winged dove. Most doves have wings.
Living Daylights is better Dalton film
License to Kill was better performance for Dalton - esp scene bn him and Sanchez as well as the Hemingway house was quintessential smouldering Dalton
I've watched Roger Moore's Bond movies. Never was a fan. Love Connery, Brosnan, Dalton & Craig.
While Dalton puts in a strong performance in his first Bond film, that is undermined by his having to carry too much of the weight of the picture due to the weakness of the villains and the blandness of Kara. This is a script problem. d'Abo has warmth and likeability and does a decent job for an inexperienced actress, but it's not an interesting character. Krabbe might have been asked to act in that exaggerated way to counter balance Dalton's lower key brooding performance. Baker is just wasted. Only John Rhys-Davies is a proper foil for Dalton. And structurally the final third of the film is overlong and doesn't have a focused enough action/suspense buildup and climax. Dalton is placed front and center in a film that doesn't provide him with the support he needs.
I like this film, but License To Kill is superior.
TLD was weak. LTK was solid with a classic story, great villain, awesome action and Dalton ruled.
The Living Daylights is near the bottom for me and is not Dalton's best, License to Kill is. Dalton's performance is better in LTK, Carey Lowell is far better than Maryam d' Abo , villains and henchman are far better in LTK, and the climactic scene in LTK is better. If one channel is showing LTK and another TLD, I am watching LTK
I love these reviews and explorations of all things Bond , but I have to say, at times, they do drift into unnecessary “ wokeness. . This is Bond, not Sex in the City.
LTK:- 'TV movie'. Have a day off.
It does feel like one.
I cannot believe this. TLD is so bad. The acting is awful from EVERYONE. The one liners are truly bad. The action and set pieces are pathetic. Ski chase on a cello case? Dear god. The bad guys are so lame. Good job he rescued Art Malik isnt it. Jeez. The "boot" ending is ridiculous. Just hold onto the netting. This film certainly gets "the boot". License to Kill is 1000 times better and in the Top 3 for me. Dalton is great in LTK but this seems more like a Moore outing. This is in the bottom 5 Bonds no question. I really can't fathom your thinking on this. Ive agreed with pretty much everything you guys have said up until now.The OST is great though.