live and let die clips

Strutter's unknowing funeral procession from Live And Let Die (1973)

Hell of a send-off

This is a cool two-scene sequence from Live And Let Die (1973).

As Bond (Roger Moore) and Felix Leiter (David Hedison) prepare to investigate Mr. Big further, we get a glimpse into their literal dressing room. As Felix ties up loose ends with the “airplane matter” from the previous scene, Bond shows his diva side by working with a tailor for his mission outfits, with room service in tow, nonetheless.

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Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto) shows his frustration with James Bond in Live And Let Die (1973)

Bond must die

I like this quick quote from Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto) in Live And Let Die (1973) – short and sweet, to the point. “Any cost. Any. Bond must die.” It sums up his desperation and desire to kill Bond. I think most of Bond’s foes would agree with the sentiment.

Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto) shows his frustration with James Bond in Live And Let Die (1973)

Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto) shows his frustration with James Bond in Live And Let Die (1973)

Voodoo god of the cemeteries

Whenever Baron Samedi (Geoffrey Holder) is onscreen in Live And Let Die (1973), you’re in for something wild.

In the case of the above scene, we get a glimpse into Samedi’s “musical extravaganza” live show, coincidentally at Bond’s (Roger Moore) hotel in San Monique. Surely Bond has no idea what he’s in for at such an establishment? Kananga’s influence and power over the island is obviously everywhere.

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Live and Let Die (1973) - Bond the Barista

Bond the Barista

An impromptu early morning visit by M at Bond’s home leads to a funny scene in Live And Let Die (1973). Moore’s first on-screen appearance as 007 doesn’t start out great. After bedding an Italian agent Miss Caruso at his place, he bumbles and fumbles as he tries to distract M (Bernard Lee) from running into the woman. Bond makes M some coffee, and knows his way around an espresso machine, much to M’s surprise and a test of his patience.

The personal visit by M is warranted, of course, as the murders of three MI6 agents (Baines, Dawes and Hamilton) make it an urgent matter. But who knew Bond could moonlight as a barista? And it’s pretty cool we get a glimpse into his personal home. Yes, it’s the 1970’s – and I still can’t get over the atrocious kitchen wallpaper, but Bond’s vintage orange sandwich maker on the counter looks pretty sweet!

Live and Let Die (1973) - Bond the Barista

Live and Let Die (1973) – Bond the Barista

Voodooland was just poppy fields

This is a great 30 second summary of Live And Let Die (1973), from a short 30 second scene from itself – the scene where Bond (Roger Moore) and Solitaire (Jane Seymour) escape San Monique. Bond summarizes that the entire Kananga operation and voodoo mystique on the island was a front for heroin smuggling. I’ve always said that the simpler a Bond villain’s plot in any James Bond movie, the better.

Also, now that Solitaire has finally lost her “magic,” she is horny. Really horny.

Live And Let Die (1973) - Voodooland was just poppy fields

Hahahaha!

You’ve gotta love Baron Samedi’s (Geoffrey Holder) menacing laugh at the end of Live and Let Die (1973). This along with a few other Baron Samedi scenes add a feeling of mystique and almost introspection to the movie, which really isn’t present in any other James Bond movie. The ever-present voodoo references in the movie also contributes to this feeling, in my opinion, and add to its overall creepy/scary vibe.

I also think this end scene also technically breaks the fourth wall of the movie, which is a rare occurrence that has only happened a few other times in the series.

Live and Let Die (1971) - Hahahaha!