Live and Let Die is a 1973 spy film, the eighth film in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions, the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond, and the third in the series directed by Guy Hamilton. The film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, while Tom Mankiewicz wrote the script.
Roger Moore was cast as James Bond in August 1972 after his television series The Persuaders! was canceled. To differentiate Moore’s portrayal from Sean Connery’s, screenwriter Mankiewicz tailored the script to suit Moore’s persona, having Bond drink whiskey instead of martinis and smoke cigars instead of cigarettes.
Jane Seymour was cast as Solitaire without an audition after producers saw her in the television series The Onedin Line. Originally, the role was intended for a Black actress, but due to concerns about depicting interracial relationships in certain countries, the producers cast Seymour and adjusted other roles accordingly.
Filming commenced in October 1972 in Louisiana, where the production faced challenges such as flooding. A notable sequence involved a boat chase in the Irish Bayou, during which 17 out of 26 boats were destroyed in rehearsals. The scene featured a speedboat jumping over a highway, unintentionally setting a Guinness World Record with a 110-foot leap.
In Jamaica, the production filmed at a crocodile farm owned by Ross Kananga, who inspired the name of the film’s villain. Kananga performed the dangerous stunt of Bond running over crocodiles, which took five takes and resulted in injuries requiring 193 stitches.
While filming in Harlem, the production reportedly paid protection money to local gangs to ensure safety. When funds depleted, the crew was encouraged to leave, leading them to complete filming in other New York locations.
Roger Moore and Jane Seymour developed a supportive relationship during filming. Moore looked out for Seymour, ensuring her well-being during shoots in New Orleans and Jamaica. Seymour fondly recalled rehearsing voodoo dances with Geoffrey Holder, who played Baron Samedi, enhancing her understanding of her character.
However, not all moments were lighthearted. In one instance, Moore and the crew played a prank on Seymour by leaving the lunch table as she sat down, causing her to burst into tears—a moment Moore later regretted and recounted in his autobiography.
The film featured several daring stunts, including the aforementioned crocodile sequence and a scene involving a double-decker bus in Jamaica. The bus was modified so its top deck could slide off upon impact with a low bridge, a stunt performed by Maurice Patchett, a London Transport bus driving instructor.
Snake scenes posed challenges as well. Script supervisor Elaine Schreyeck refused to be on set with the reptiles, an actor fainted during a scene involving a snake, and Geoffrey Holder overcame his fear to perform a scene where he falls into a coffin filled with snakes, motivated by the presence of Princess Alexandra visiting the set.
The film’s title song, “Live and Let Die,” marked the first time a rock music arrangement was used to open a Bond film. Composed by Paul McCartney and produced by George Martin, the song was a commercial success and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
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