Review of Live and Let Die (1973) by Indira S — 11 Dec 2014

"Live and Let Die", with it's introduction to Roger Moore's take on the role of Bond, and it's instantly recognizable theme song, is one of the better Bond films of the 70's/80's. Some of it is campy, but there's some well-made parts to it as well.

This installment sees Bond investigating the sudden deaths of three MI6 agents in quick succession, following the trail to the United States where he comes across a notorious ganster named Mr Big. Working with the CIA and with a mysterious psychic, Bond must work to take down the gang and uncover their illicit operations.

Roger Moore takes over the lead role of the series here, and is joined by Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Julius Harris, David Hedison, Gloria Hendry and returning stars Bernard Lee and Lois Maxwell and M and Moneypenny. It is quite a typical cast for this sort of movie.

The film, however, is quite exciting, with memorable scenes involving such settings as jazz funerals, New Orleans canals and crocodile farms, and Roger Moore works off these things well in his first outing with MI6. Adding to this, the electrifying theme song from former Beatle Paul McCartney is one of, if not the, best Bond themes of all time (all respect to Shirley Bassey and Adele, of course).

A fun Bond film. 4 stars.