Live and Let Die (1973)
72%RT Audience Score: 64%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
3 wins & 3 nominations total
While not one of the highest-rated Bond films, Live and Let Die finds Roger Moore adding his stamp to the series with flashes of style and an improved sense of humor
Live and Let Die may not be the best Bond film out there, but it’s still a fun ride. Sure, the plot is a bit absurd and the direction lacks enthusiasm, but who doesn’t love a good speedboat chase? And let’s not forget about the introduction of the worst Bond character ever (sorry, not sorry). But hey, Roger Moore fits smoothly into the role and it’s an enjoyable film overall. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the mindless entertainment.
Production Company(ies)
Scion Films, Canana Films, Creando Films,
Distributor
United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., CBS/Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Home Vídeo
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1973
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono6-Track Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 11.66 : 1
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Runtime:2h 1m
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Language(s):English, Hungarian
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 27, 1973 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2006
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Clifton James, Geoffrey Holder, Bernard Lee, directed by Guy Hamilton, written by Ian Fleming, Tom Mankiewicz, action, PG, James Bond, spy, adventure, Kananga, Mr Big, Solitaire, Sheriff J.W Pepper, Baron Samedi, M, United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., CBS/Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Home Vídeo, box office, budget, reviewed by John Russell Taylor, Derek Malcolm, Dave Kehr, Ian Nathan, Variety Staff, Richard Schickel, Matt Brunson, Jake Tropila, Mike Massie, Kelechi Ehenulo, Dick Lochte, PG rating, Albert R Broccoli, Harry Saltzman, James Bond 007, mono, flat aspect ratio, tarot-card reader, heroin, self-produced, global threat, assassins, voodoo, crocodile hopping, boat chase, theme song, Jane Seymour’s performance
Worldwide gross: $35,382,710
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $263,531,675
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 558
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 28,738,460
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $52,136,248
Production budget ranking: 761
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $28,075,369
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $183,320,059
ROI to date (est.): 229%
ROI ranking: 578
Yaphet Kotto – Kananga, Mr. Big
Jane Seymour – Solitaire
Clifton James – Sheriff J.W. Pepper
Geoffrey Holder – Baron Samedi
Bernard Lee – M
Director(s)
Guy Hamilton
Writer(s)
Ian Fleming, Tom Mankiewicz
Producer(s)
Albert R. Broccoli, Harry Saltzman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
3 wins & 3 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (18)
Will James Bond live on in the 1970s? Not much farther, if this episode is anything to go by.
December 18, 2020
John Russell Taylor
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It is good, lively, mindless entertainment, slow to warm up but once embarked upon its improbable story quick to appreciate its own absurdity.
December 18, 2020
Derek Malcolm
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Guy Hamilton’s direction lacks enthusiasm and pace, while even the art direction — long the Bond films’ real secret weapon — seems to have fallen to a shrunken budget.
October 13, 2008
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
It can’t quite muster an explosive third act to match previous jaunts, but Moore had got his feet under the table.
October 13, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Ian Nathan
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The comic book plot meanders through a series of hardware production numbers.
October 13, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Setting aside an allright speedboat spectacular over land and water, the film is both perfunctory and predictable — leaving the mind free to wander into the question of its overall taste. Or lack of it.
October 13, 2008
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This introduces the worst — I repeat, worst — character to be found in any Bond movie.
September 25, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Live and Let Die’s flaws are apparent, but it’s still a solid adventure, and Moore fits smoothly into the role of Bond. It’s an enjoyable film, and that’s really all you could ask for.
September 23, 2020
Jake Tropila
Film Inquiry
Considering the blandness of this eighth theatrical chapter, it’s miraculous that further adventures would make it to the big screen.
August 30, 2020 | Rating: 2/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
If Live and Let Die was Moore’s acid test, then he passed the test.
July 16, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Kelechi Ehenulo
Confessions From A Geek Mind
While [Bond’s] latest adventure looks as though his producers had trimmed a few million dollars off the budget, it is still fast, funny and frivolous enough to satisfy.
December 31, 2019
Dick Lochte
Los Angeles Free Press
Stands as proof to the maxim that James Bond and the 1970s simply didn’t mix.
October 31, 2019 | Rating: 2/5
PJ Nabarro
Patrick Nabarro…
Plot
Several British agents have been murdered and James Bond is sent to New Orleans, to investigate these mysterious deaths. Mr. Big comes to his knowledge, who is self-producing heroin. Along his journeys he meets Tee Hee who has a claw for a hand, Baron Samedi the voodoo master and Solitaire a tarot card reader. Bond must travel to New Orleans, and deep into the Bayou.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny comments were found in the Fresh Kernels review for Live and Let Die.
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