Live and Let Die (1973) marks the debut of Roger Moore as James Bond, ushering in a new era for the legendary spy series. The story begins with the mysterious murders of three British agents in different parts of the world — New York City, New Orleans, and the fictional Caribbean island of San Monique. Bond is dispatched to investigate, quickly uncovering a tangled web of crime, drugs, and supernatural overtones.
The central villain is Dr. Kananga, a powerful diplomat who secretly controls the drug lord known as Mr. Big. Kananga plans to distribute vast amounts of heroin for free, creating widespread addiction and ultimately securing a global monopoly in the drug trade. Assisting him are dangerous henchmen, including the hook-handed Tee Hee and the eerie voodoo figure Baron Samedi.
Bond’s path crosses with Solitaire, a beautiful tarot card reader with the mystical ability to foresee the future. Kananga relies on her visions, but her powers are tied to her innocence, which makes her vulnerable when she becomes involved with Bond. Together, they face a series of deadly encounters — from crocodile farms to high-speed boat chases — that test Bond’s resourcefulness and charm.
The film climaxes in San Monique, where Bond thwarts Kananga’s plot and defeats his enemies in explosive fashion. With Solitaire at his side, Bond escapes yet another brush with death, though the film ends with the unsettling suggestion that the sinister Baron Samedi may still linger.
Blending espionage, blaxploitation elements, and voodoo mysticism, Live and Let Die stands out as one of the more unusual entries in the Bond canon. It introduced Roger Moore’s lighter, more humorous take on 007, while also featuring Paul McCartney’s iconic title song, which became a classic in its own right.
