The Living Daylights - it just gets better and better...

HalconHalcon Zen TemplePosts: 486MI6 Agent
Watched The Living Daylights again last night...

wow, what a fantastic Bond Movie. In fact my top ten Bonds are now in this order -

From Russia with Love
License to Kill
Octopussy
Dr. No
The Spy who Loved Me
The Living Daylights
Thunderball
Casino Royale
Goldeneye
Skyfall

TLD continues to move up my list almost everytime I watch it.

Timothy Dalton is a fantastic Bond, he IS Daniel Craig, Connery and Brosnan all in one.
We see Timothy Dalton manifesting all of Bond's multiple personalities as they become necessary -

Bond the focused and cold blooded assassin wielding the HUGE gun, Bond the cultured connoisseur when opting for a preferred beverage for Georgi and recognizing the personal name attributed to random cellos, Bond the vengeful yet controlled professional when preparing to execute mistaken enemies,

Bond the incredible charmer when taking sweet and innocent ladies on trips to Vienna (this one in particular was so much fun to watch as we see Bond as a super capable spy who in dealing with his lady is manipulative, almost predatory, calculating and deceitful, all behind a façade of charm and affection, all for the sake of the mission).
I don't think any other Bond could have pulled off this aspect of the story in TLD.

This film has so many great points -
The blurring lines between the good and bad guys, it's a complicated world...

The Vienna scenes are gorgeous and almost zen like, Timothy Dalton and Maryam D'Abo are the perfect cast for these scenes in all their beauty and excessive luxury...

The perfect ending in Afghanistan, placing Bond in the middle of a very still relevant conflict.

Other smaller but still great points -

Dalton, again, completely convinces as Bond from the VERY intro. He IS Bond, completely by the time he lands on Belle Avery's yacht as she is complaining about the lack of real men on her island. As Bond swings from the top onto the boat, decked in black gear there is no doubt that we have transitioned from Roger Moore's style onto something very fierce.

All the scenes with Necros - he was a truly unsettling villain (in the entire films really), I squirm every time I saw him in a scene and was very glad Bond finally gave him the boot. :D
This of course speaks to the acting ability of Mr. Wisnewski.

How about that black/grey Aston?? I'd have a hard time choosing between this beauty and the DB5 (is that the original one?)

Virginia Hey and Bell Avery - Love, love, love them in their incredibly small parts (Virginia doesn't even say one word ) Avery is the epitome of my perfect woman, if a woman like that walked into the room....
And Virginia oozes pure sexuality in all her short scenes. Its amazing how sensual she comes off even with her hair up and very formal get up when accompanying General Pushkin on his various head of state events. The sexiness meter on her very intense lingerie scene blows off the chart :))

The soundtrack in my opinion was perfect, from the action scenes to the Vienna scenes with Bond's intimate moments with Myriam.

There are many more points, how about sharing some if you agree with me on this? -{
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Comments

  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,924MI6 Agent
    I agree 100% -{
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Great film it would be in my top ten. {[]
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,924MI6 Agent
    I personally don't see how Brosnan could have pulled it off as much as Dalton :)
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Last time I saw it on Blu Ray I just got lost in its brilliance.
    We gotta do a Clockwork Orange thing on Higgins & MAKE him watch it again. :))
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Maybe with a bucket in reach I would consider watching it again :p
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    I thought you weren't going to jump for the biscuit any more, Higgins! :))
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    I thought you weren't going to jump for the biscuit any more, Higgins! :))
    :)) :)) :)) :))
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    I agree.

    I enjoyed TLD, and as time passes on, I remember it even more fondly. It was the right movie at the wrong time. If it had come out in the 60's it would've been hailed as a masterpiece. And had it come out in the 2000's, it would've sold like hotcakes.
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    I thought you weren't going to jump for the biscuit any more, Higgins! :))

    Well, it's the time of the year.
    I wanted to shine a little light into the sad and dark life of a Timboy :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    You know what. I'm going to put TLD on tonight and watch with fresh eyes :)
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    omg, I can see another Asp-gate after the AT-gate, the Explorer-gate and that snake that poisoned you :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    I never said I was going to be turned all misty eyed by it. It's better than watching Eastenders or whatever other crud is on this time of night. He does wear a Sub, so it can't be all bad.
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I agree that TLD is top-flight Bond, and Dalton breathes new life into the series after the increasingly stale era of Roger Moore. After Connery, I consider Dalton to be the second or third best Bond (I frequently flip-flop between Dalton and Craig when it comes to the second place spot).
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    edited December 2014
    Asp9mm wrote:
    I never said I was going to be turned all misty eyed by it. It's better than watching Eastenders or whatever other crud is on this time of night. He does wear a Sub, so it can't be all bad.

    He wears that ugly TAG Heuer like I've said 10 years ago already and Deaton took it for an "exclusive and new discovery" some years ago 8-)

    Expect the movie to be **** and ask me - the expert when you have questions about watches.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    You know nothing of any importance. Except I give you that Heuer thing and your weird Seiko obsession.

    Did he not wear the Sub at all in TLD? It features prominently in LTK.
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    So, you admit that you've been wrong again? :D :D


    I don't recall having seen a Rolex in TLD.
    But I haven't seen the movie fully in the last 15 years or so.

    It's just too bad and Dalton too pathetic in that movie. LTK is much better ;)
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    I agree that TLD is top-flight Bond, and Dalton breathes new life into the series after the increasingly stale era of Roger Moore.
    In '85 I saw AVTAK in the theatre once, and other than liking a cool chase on the Eiffel Tower I have no real memory of that particular viewing. TLD however, was a different story. I thought the cargo net fight was about the most exciting thing I'd seen in a Bond movie since the ninja commando raid in YOLT.
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    I thought the cargo net fight was about the most exciting thing I'd seen in a Bond movie since the ninja commando raid in YOLT

    I agree. What a great scene! {[]
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • broadshoulderbroadshoulder Acton, London, UKPosts: 1,363MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    I agree that TLD is top-flight Bond, and Dalton breathes new life into the series after the increasingly stale era of Roger Moore.
    In '85 I saw AVTAK in the theatre once, and other than liking a cool chase on the Eiffel Tower I have no real memory of that particular viewing. TLD however, was a different story. I thought the cargo net fight was about the most exciting thing I'd seen in a Bond movie since the ninja commando raid in YOLT.

    From what I remember the entire audience gasped when it slid out the rear of the plane. :x

    Is that the first time you have seen it Firemass?
    1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    Well, it's on in the background and I'm just bored. A huge problem for me is the very slow score. They play the Bond theme so slowly in the action scenes that all tension is lost. It's more suitably paced for a slow ice skating video, not a high speed fight on top of a Land Rover. This fault is repeated in the music in pretty much all the action scenes. It's not something I really noticed in the previous gazillion views, but somehow tonight it stood out and is just annoying me. There was always something I couldn't put my finger on with this film, and now I know.
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Asp9mm wrote:
    There was always something I couldn't put my finger on with this film, and now I know.
    It's my co-favourite with YOLT!
    Oh well, different strokes for different cats. -{
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Asp9mm wrote:
    A huge problem for me is the very slow score. They play the Bond theme so slowly in the action scenes that all tension is lost. It's more suitably paced for a slow ice skating video, not a high speed fight on top of a Land Rover. This fault is repeated in the music in pretty much all the action scenes. It's not something I really noticed in the previous gazillion views, but somehow tonight it stood out and is just annoying me. There was always something I couldn't put my finger on with this film, and now I know.

    Disagree 100%, I love this score.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I too am a fan of the score -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I enjoyed the score, too. Plus it was Barry's last Bond score, so that makes it particularly special to me. -{
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • JarvioJarvio EnglandPosts: 4,234MI6 Agent
    I don't get the love tbh. Sure it's a good film, and an ok bond film, but I don't rate it that highly. Sure there are some great moments - particularly the cargo net fight. And Dalton is great. However, one of the very worst bond girls (Kara was so annoying) and weak, unmemorable villains. A mid-ranker for me.
    1 - LALD, 2 - AVTAK, 3 - LTK, 4 - OP, 5 - NTTD, 6 - FYEO, 7 - SF, 8 - DN, 9 - DAF, 10 - TSWLM, 11 - OHMSS, 12 - TMWTGG, 13 - GE, 14 - MR, 15 - TLD, 16 - YOLT, 17 - GF, 18 - DAD, 19 - TWINE, 20 - SP, 21 - TND, 22 - FRWL, 23 - TB, 24 - CR, 25 - QOS

    1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    It's not just me who loves it then. Good. -{
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent

    Is that the first time you have seen it Firemass?

    Me? Good lord no. That was well before my time...
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • HalconHalcon Zen TemplePosts: 486MI6 Agent
    I enjoyed the score, too. Plus it was Barry's last Bond score, so that makes it particularly special to me. -{

    The score was fantastic! It evoked tension and supreme luxury when it called for it. U could say TLD was the "classical" Bond, what with the cellos, Vienna, horse estate...
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Jarvio wrote:
    I don't get the love tbh.
    No worries mate. It's like anything else- either it GRABS you or it doesn't.
    Some Bond films grab me by the throat and DEMAND my attention (DN, FRWL, TLD, LTK), others simply twist my arm a bit (GF, TB, YOLT, Dan's films) and others merely bribe me ( OHMSS, DAF, some of Moore's, Brosnan's)....
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Jarvio wrote:
    I don't get the love tbh. Sure it's a good film, and an ok bond film, but I don't rate it that highly. Sure there are some great moments - particularly the cargo net fight. And Dalton is great. However, one of the very worst bond girls (Kara was so annoying) and weak, unmemorable villains. A mid-ranker for me.
    It deserves to be in the top half. I like it better than all of the Brosnan ones except Tomorrow Never Dies. Ironically, both films suffer from the same problem: Weak villains. But Dalton's debut was strong, certainly stronger than the follow up.

    I always liked Kara. Perhaps not surprisingly, I had a girlfriend a few years later than looked an awful lot like her and was also a classically-trained musician. I prefer to think there was no connection, ha ha.
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