Synopsis

After three British agents are murdered, James Bond is sent to investigate a connection between New York crime boss Mr. Big and Dr. Kananga, the ruler of the Caribbean island San Monique. His pursuit takes him from Harlem and New Orleans to Jamaica, where tarot reader Solitaire becomes a target in Kananga's plan to control the American heroin trade.

Factoids & Trivia

• Live and Let Die is the eighth Eon-produced James Bond film and Roger Moore's first appearance as 007. Moore went on to play Bond in six more films.

• The film is based on Ian Fleming's 1954 novel, but screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz used relatively little of the book's storyline beyond its central characters and criminal conspiracy.

• Paul and Linda McCartney wrote the title song, performed by Wings. It was the first Bond opening theme built around a true rock-and-roll sound, earned an Academy Award nomination, and became a major chart hit.

• George Martin composed the score after John Barry was unavailable. Martin's Beatles connection also reunited him with Paul McCartney for one of the series' most recognizable musical entries.

• The crocodile-jumping stunt was performed by Ross Kananga, after whom the villain Dr. Kananga was named. The official Bond site notes that the stunt took five attempts to complete.

• The speedboat chase included a 110-foot jump, which earned recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records.

• The London bus sequence used a modified double-decker bus whose upper deck was designed to slide away during the crash. The driver performing the stunt was a London transport driving instructor.

• Filming took place in New York City, New Orleans, Jamaica, and at Pinewood Studios in England. Jamaica doubled for the fictional island of San Monique.