| Licence to Kill | |
|---|---|
 "His bad side is a dangerous place to be." | |
| Directed By | John Glen |
| Screenplay By | Michael G. Wilson, Richard Maibaum |
| Cast | Timothy Dalton, Robert Davi, Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto |
| Produced By | Albert R. Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson |
| Cinematography By | Alec Mills |
| Film Editing By | John Grover |
| Music By | Michael Kamen |
| Studio | Eon Productions |
| Distributed By | United International Pictures, MGM, United Artists |
| Franchise | 007: James Bond Franchise |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Release Date | June 13, 1989 |
| Runtime | 133 Minutes |
| Rating | PG |
| Budget | $32,000,000 |
| Gross | $156,167,015 |
Overview[]
License to Kill is a 1989 British produced action-thriller espionage film starring Timothy Dalton, Robert Davi, and Carey Lowell. It was directed by John Glen and is the sixteenth James Bond film in the Eon Productions film series. It was also the first film in the franchise not to use a title from any of Ian Fleming's novels but did incorporate certain elements from the short story; "The Hildebrand Rarity" and the novel "Live and Let Die". However most of the plot is entirely original as well.
License to Kill was Timothy Dalton's second and ultimately his last James Bond's appearance. Legal problems revolving its principal film company, MGM emerged after this film which resulted in an extended hiatus of the franchise after which time, Dalton was uninterested in continuing as 007.
Loyalty. It is something that James Bond holds dear. Loyalty to his country that he faithfully serves. But there is another loyalty he holds dear as well. A loyalty to an old and dear friend, Felix Leiter who has his new wife murdered and been savagely tortured and left near dead by the viciously sadistic drug kingpin Franz Sanchez. MI-6 has no interest in pursuing Sanchez as it is not in their jurisdiction ... or their problem. But Bond disagrees vehemently and is forced to resign his commission.
This is James Bond's most dangerous mission yet. Unsanctioned and unapproved. Without allies. Without support. His License to Kill revoked.
And more unstoppable than ever before.
Because this time ... it's not just a job. This time ... it's personal.
Plot[]
When one of James Bond's best friends, Felix Leiter is getting married; he asks Bond to be his best man. It's an honor that Agent 007 can't refuse. But Leiter won't be going to his honeymoon because the ruthless and sadistic drug lord Franz Sanchez is out for revenge for Felix sending him to prison and has his wife murdered and Felix horrifically maimed.
With Felix hanging on a thread in the hospital, Bond is outraged when he learns that MI-6 feels Sanchez isn't their problem and feels Bond is too personally compromised anyways. When Bond refuses to drop the matter, he resigns his commission and his license to kill is revoked.
Cast[]
- Timothy Dalton as James Bond
- Carey Lowell as Pam Bouvier
- Robert Davi as Franz Sanchez
- Talisa Soto as Lupe Lamora
- Anthony Zerbe as Milton Krest
- Frank McRae as Sharkey
- Everett McGill as Ed Killifer
- Wayne Newton as Joe Butcher
- Benicio del Toro as Dario
- Anthony Starke as Truman-Lodge
- Pedro Armendariz, Jr. as President Hector Lopez
- Desmond Llewelyn as Q
- David Hedison as Felix Leiter
- Priscilla Barnes as Della Churchill
- Robert Brown as M
- Caroline Bliss as Miss Moneypenny
- Don Stroud as Colonel Heller
- Grand L. Bush as Hawkins
- Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Kwang
- Christopher Neame as Fallon
- Diana Hsu as Loti
- Jeannine Bisignano as Stripper
- Branscombe Richmond as Barrelhead Bar Patron
Production[]
Reception[]
Trivia[]
- Unofficially, this film became known as the 'bloodless coup' of the James Bond franchise owing to the fact that afterwards, the series underwent a total revamp in its production company, Eon Productions. Albert R. Broccoli, long time producer of the series retired as did long time film director, John Glen decided that this was his final James Bond film and chose to pursue other projects. Both Richard Maibaum, screenwriter and Maurice Binder, title designer passed away shortly after License to Kill was released. Legal issues arose afterwards over control over the James Bond franchise and when it was decided to start production of the new James Bond film several years later by this time Timothy Dalton was no longer interested in portraying the titular role. It was further decided to totally reboot the franchise with a new James Bond as well as a new M and Moneypenny with only Desmond Llewelyn (Q) surviving the culling.
External Links[]
Trailer[]
Licence to Kill (1989) Official Trailer - Timothy Dalton James Bond Movie Hd