June 27th marks the 44th anniversary of the U.S. release of Live and Let Die. The film, of course, was Roger Moore’s debut as James Bond. Today, we’ll take a quick look back at the film.
Roger Moore: The New Bond
Hot off his work in the television program The Saint, Moore was cast as the next Bond, with the
Winter is Coming
blessing of Sean Connery. According to the documentary short, The Making of Live and Let Die, decisions were made to make sure that Moore’s Bond would be distinct–not ordering a martini, for instance. But a conscious effort was also made to make sure that Moore did not mimic Simon Templar (from The Saint): he had to resist the urge to raise an eyebrow, his signature move from the show.
Not surprisingly, Roger Moore said that the only thing he feared in playing 007 for Live and Let Die was saying the line, “Bond. James Bond.” He didn’t want it to sound like Connery. But he likely feared a lot more.
In Bond 1973, a made-for-television, behind-the-scenes look at the film, Moore also discussed his need to become more physically fit for the role and to prepare himself for scenes with snakes, which he feared. It seemed he managed, just fine.
One scene in particular, in which Bond is left to be eaten by crocodiles, nearly put Moore in danger. During filming, one of the gators got a little too close, as co-star Jane Seymour has remembered. As a side note, the stunt, which features Bond running across the backs of crocodiles, was actually performed by Ross Kananga, the owner of the farm where it was filmed. In appreciation, villain Dr. Kananga was named after him.
A Number of Firsts
Live and Let Die marked (or provided) a number of firsts:
- The first time Bond had ever used a Smith and Wesson 44, the gun used by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, which was released two years earlier. This was likely a nod to Eastwood, who was offered the role of Bond but turned it down.
- The film marked the first time that Bond had a black love interest: Rosie Carver, played by Gloria Hendry.
- Never before had Bond ever traveled to a fictional country: in this case, San Monique.
- The film featured the first Bond song to be nominated for an Academy Award (“Live and Let Die,” performed by Paul McCartney and Wings.)
- Also, for the first time (and so far only time), a film depicted Bond receiving his mission details in his own home.
Blaxploitation and The Film’s Legacy
Live and Let Die has been examined not only as a Bond film, but also in terms of its place in the Blaxploitation genre of films from the 1970s. Without question, the film entered new territory, with black characters as villains, as well as the aforementioned love interest. The question, however, is whether or not the film is a contribution to the genre, based on its use of Blaxploitation tropes and, or if it is simply trafficking in stereotypes. One site, at least, has included the film in its list of Blaxploitation films. So maybe that answers the question.
But screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz was aware of potential criticism the film may receive. In The making of Live and Let Die, Mankiewicz admits that the character of Sheriff J.W. Pepper (played by the late Clifton James) was created not only for comic relief but also as an ultra-stereotype to off-set any criticism of the film’s black characters.
No doubt, Roger Moore’s first James Bond film is rich in themes and characters still worth exploring.