MovieChat Forums > The Living Daylights (1987) Discussion > The Living Daylights vs. License to Kill

The Living Daylights vs. License to Kill

posted 9 years ago by safard
15 replies | jump to latest

I'm working my way through the Bond series right now and just recently watched the Timothy Dalton films. When I finished The Living Daylights, I was pretty disappointed because I found both Dalton and the entire plot line too drawn out and tedious. However, I was completely drawn into the story in License to Kill it changed my mind about Dalton as Bond. He definitely isn't my favorite Bond, but it made me accept him as qualified for the role (something I couldn't do for George Lazenby).

Which Bond movie with Dalton did you think was better?

[–] cartesianthought 9 years ago

Both are great.

I think The Living Daylights wins out because of the great Afghan-Soviet War set piece, a more complex plot and a more original first act.

[–] s007davis 9 years ago

Definitely TLD. John Barry score, far more chemistry between Bond and the leading lady, Cold War atmosphere and more of a traditional, classic Bond film feel to it.

[–] monamask 9 years ago

License to Kill might be a bit more engaging but there are stretches where it feels like lots of other 80s action movies. The Living Daylights has a more restrained feel, edging it out a bit for me. The bit with Dalton and the balloon is what sold me on his interpretation of the character.

[–] CountJohn 9 years ago

I like them both, but TLD wins for me because it has a complicated/better story, one of the best romantic subplots of the whole series, and the elegant European setting. LTK has better action and intensity going for it, though.

[–] lilwith 9 years ago

LtK wins but only slightly. I wish Dalton had one more Bond film because I think he was absolutely fantastic. Nothing like Dalton Bond to wash out that Roger Moore taste.

[–] darkstorm97 9 years ago

TLD for me by a mile. It's not to say I don't like LTK. I just like Daylights a lot more. I too would have loved to see Dalton in a couple of more Bonds.

Call me Snake.

[–] Drooch 9 years ago

Same here. Daylights is my favourite Bond film - all the classic elements (including crucial Barry score) but with an Oscar-worthy central performance from Dalton as Flemming's Bond. Wipes the floor with LTK, which only really serves as a bonus Dalton episode but feels a bit TV Movie.

[–] Hands_of_Fate 9 years ago

TLD easily. License to Kill is mainly only watchable because of Carey Lowell's fine ass.

[–] HellboundHero 9 years ago

The Living Daylights was too damn campy to me. License to Kill easily. What good is a dry-witted, serious Bond if you still have stuff like M putting his office in the cargo hold of a plane? Gee, wouldn't it be great if next time, his office were inside a garbage can like the chief in Inspector Gadget??

[–] manchof1 9 years ago

The Living Daylights was more entertaining and had many exotic locations in it plus Dalton played Bond just fine, Licence to Kill was awful and Dalton was awful in it.

[–] louiseculmer 9 years ago

I much prefer The Living daylights. License to kill is too violent and doesn't have enough humour for my taste.