The Living Daylights (1987) is the fifteenth official James Bond film, directed by John Glen and marking Timothy Dalton’s debut as 007. Known for taking the character in a darker, more grounded direction, this installment bridges Cold War espionage with the explosive action expected of the franchise.
Detailed Summary
Bond’s First Mission with Dalton
The film begins with a training exercise in Gibraltar that turns deadly when an unknown assassin kills two 00 agents. James Bond (Timothy Dalton) manages to survive, instantly setting the tone for a more dangerous, unpredictable world. Dalton’s Bond is noticeably less quippy and more serious than Roger Moore’s interpretation.
The Defection of Georgi Koskov
Bond is sent to Bratislava to help KGB General Georgi Koskov defect to the West. While assisting Koskov’s escape, Bond notices a female sniper, Kara Milovy (Maryam d’Abo), aiming at Koskov. Instead of killing her, Bond deliberately shoots her rifle, choosing not to kill—a moment that defines Dalton’s more humane take on Bond.
The Double Cross
Koskov’s defection seems genuine, but soon after being debriefed by MI6, he is abducted by Necros, a ruthless assassin working for shady arms dealer Brad Whitaker (Joe Don Baker). Bond’s instincts tell him the whole thing smells like a setup.
The Bond/Kara Relationship
Bond tracks Kara, discovering she is actually Koskov’s girlfriend and was manipulated into believing she was helping him. Instead of exposing her, Bond gains her trust, leading to a slow-burn romance that feels more grounded than the typical Bond fling. Their chemistry drives much of the movie’s emotional core.
Afghanistan and Mujahideen Allies
The plot escalates when Bond and Kara uncover Koskov’s real plan: a massive weapons and opium deal involving Soviet General Pushkin, who Koskov falsely accused of restarting the Cold War. Bond and Kara end up in Afghanistan, where they team up with a group of Mujahideen fighters. This segment introduces large-scale battles, horseback chases, and a high-stakes mission to stop a plane carrying arms and drugs.
Action High Points
The film features some of the franchise’s most thrilling stunts:
- A car chase in Bond’s Aston Martin V8 equipped with rockets, lasers, and skis.
- Bond clinging onto a cargo net hanging from a Hercules transport plane mid-air.
- Necros and Bond’s brutal fight while dangling outside the aircraft, ending with Necros falling to his death.
Movie Ending
The climax takes place aboard the Hercules plane. Bond and Kara, trapped onboard with a cargo of opium, battle Necros in one of the franchise’s most iconic aerial sequences. After a nail-biting struggle, Bond cuts Necros loose, sending him plummeting to his death.
Meanwhile, Koskov’s schemes unravel. General Pushkin exposes Koskov’s treachery and arrests him. Brad Whitaker, hiding in Tangier, faces Bond in a final showdown inside his war-room filled with historical military statues. Using his wit and a gadget from Q, Bond crushes Whitaker beneath one of his own weapons displays, ending the arms dealer’s ambitions.
The film concludes with Kara fulfilling her dream of performing as a cellist, while Bond, watching proudly, finally shares an intimate moment with her. Unlike some Bonds that end on a gag, The Living Daylights closes on a surprisingly tender note, fitting Dalton’s more serious interpretation.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Like most James Bond movies, The Living Daylights does not feature a post-credits scene. However, it does end with the classic promise: “James Bond will return.”
Type of Movie
This is a spy thriller/action film with Cold War themes. It is often praised as a return to the grittier espionage roots of the series, moving away from the campier tone of late Roger Moore entries.
Cast
- Timothy Dalton as James Bond
- Maryam d’Abo as Kara Milovy
- Jeroen Krabbé as General Georgi Koskov
- Joe Don Baker as Brad Whitaker
- John Rhys-Davies as General Pushkin
- Art Malik as Kamran Shah
- Andreas Wisniewski as Necros
- Desmond Llewelyn as Q
- Robert Brown as M
- Geoffrey Keen as Sir Frederick Gray
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by John Barry, his final Bond soundtrack after contributing to the franchise since From Russia with Love. The title song, “The Living Daylights” by a-ha, became a hit. Barry also co-wrote the song “If There Was a Man,” performed by The Pretenders, which is used as a love theme for Bond and Kara.
Filming Locations
- Vienna, Austria – featured heavily in Kara and Bond’s romantic interludes.
- Tangier, Morocco – used for Whitaker’s headquarters.
- Afghanistan (Morocco substitutes) – desert landscapes and action sequences.
- Gibraltar – opening training sequence.
- London, UK – MI6 headquarters.
These locations emphasize both the glamour and grit of Cold War espionage, balancing Bond’s globe-trotting romance with high-stakes action.
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Awards and Nominations
While not a major awards contender, the film was praised for Dalton’s performance and received positive reviews for its more grounded tone. It earned several nominations for its score and action sequences but did not secure big wins.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Timothy Dalton was originally considered for the role of Bond in the early 1970s but turned it down, believing he was too young.
- The producers originally wanted Pierce Brosnan, but his contract with Remington Steele prevented him from taking the role.
- The mid-air cargo fight was performed with real stuntmen at 6,000 feet, considered one of the franchise’s most dangerous stunts.
- Joe Don Baker (Whitaker) later returned to the Bond series as CIA ally Jack Wade in GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies.
Inspirations and References
The film takes heavy inspiration from Ian Fleming’s short story The Living Daylights. The Bratislava sniper scene, where Bond must choose whether to kill a female sniper, comes directly from the story, though the rest of the plot diverges into Cold War action-adventure.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No widely released alternate ending exists, but some deleted material involved extended sequences of Kara’s cello case escape scene and additional comedic moments, which were cut to maintain Dalton’s serious tone.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Fleming’s original short story was much smaller in scope: Bond is tasked with eliminating a sniper threatening a defector. Dalton’s movie keeps this setup but expands it into a Cold War epic with arms dealers, Afghanistan battles, and drug smuggling.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Bond choosing to shoot Kara’s rifle instead of killing her.
- The Aston Martin chase across snowy landscapes, complete with gadgets.
- Bond and Kara’s cello case sled escape across the border.
- The mid-air cargo fight with Necros.
- Final duel with Whitaker in his militaristic lair.
Iconic Quotes
- Bond (to Kara): “I only kill professionals.”
- Whitaker: “History is moving pretty quickly these days. The heroes and villains keep changing parts.”
- Bond: “He got the boot.” (after killing Necros)
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- John Barry appears in a cameo as an orchestra conductor.
- Bond’s Aston Martin V8 was a direct callback to the DB5 from Goldfinger, reestablishing the Bond-car tradition.
- The cello case escape was based on a real stunt idea that amused the producers so much they insisted on including it.
Trivia
- Timothy Dalton insisted on doing many of his own stunts, enhancing the realism.
- Dalton read all of Fleming’s novels before filming to understand the character’s darker psychology.
- The movie grossed over $190 million worldwide, proving audiences accepted Dalton as Bond.
- Maryam d’Abo was cast after a recommendation from Pierce Brosnan’s wife, Cassandra Harris (who had appeared in For Your Eyes Only).
Why Watch?
If you want to see a more authentic, Fleming-inspired James Bond, The Living Daylights is essential. It combines Cold War intrigue with dazzling stunts and a surprisingly heartfelt romance, while showing a Bond who bleeds, doubts, and makes moral choices.