Review of Live and Let Die (1973) by Adam T — 22 May 2017

Part Bond/Part Don Shaft, Live And Let Die represents a change of tone for the Bond series. It is a new world in which the secret agent is now a light-hearted playboy with a penchant for safari suits and ill-advised attempts at kung fu fighting.

A world where this same playboy is a stand-up comedian and is recognised wherever he goes- a feat for a British spy! Say what you like about Roger Moore's interpretation of Bond, there is no denying that he was his own Bond from the moment he boinked Miss Caruso in his London apartment! Moore's first Bond 'entry' shall we say is deals with a drug lord called Mr Big aka Kananga.

Bond's pursuit of Kananga leads him through Harlem, a crocodile farm, and a thrilling boat chase along the bayous of Louisiana. There is voodoo, black magic, a priestess played by a budding Jane Seymour-and for better or worse- Clifton James as Sherrif J W Pepper.

Those reared on Connery's Bond would have cynically viewed this film as 'The Saint In America'. It does admittedly feel more like a TV movie than the usual gilt-edged Bond production. Having said that, the wit is a lot sharper to accomodate Moore's lighter touch and it feels like a tighter, more cohesive movie than 'Diamonds Are Forever'.

The villains are camp and entertaining but the situations we find them in are usually ludicrous but to his credit, Roger never takes this seriously which unhinges a good deal of tension and danger from the plot but hey, this was the '70s.

It was time for the other fella!