Licence to Kill (1989) Timothy Dalton: James Bond Revisited

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The Timothy Dalton James Bond era came to an end with 1989's LICENCE TO KILL, one of the most controversial James Bond movies ever made. A notable disappointment at the North American box office, many thought the film was too violent and owed too much to contemporary action films of the era, such as DIE HARD, LETHAL WEAPON and TV's MIAMI VICE. It would take six whole years for the next 007 outing to get made, but it would be without Dalton, who would leave the role in 1993, with his proposed final outing, THE PROPERTY OF A LADY, never getting made. 

However, the years have been kind to LICENCE TO KILL, especially in light of Daniel Craig's acclaimed run as a grittier, grounded 007. In some ways, Dalton was doing what he did, but was simply ahead of his time. Plus, the film had an outstanding villain in Robert Davi's Sanchez, along with a young Benicio Del Toro as his right hand man Dario. And then there was the gorgeous Carey Lowell as one of the toughest Bond girls ever, CIA pilot Pam Bouvier, plus Talisa Soto, a larger than usual role for Desmond Llewelyn as Q and more! Join us on James Bond Revisited as we re-examine this lost James Bond classic!