007/Live And Let Die

With Connery having said "never again!" to the idea of playing Bond, Cubby Broccoli again went in search of a new star. This time he found the perfect actor - Roger Moore had previously been considered for the role, but had been unavailable. And even his name was a double entendre!

Moore's debut "Live And Let Die" continued the series' embrace of popular 70s styles, the genre in this case being "blaxploitation" movies such as the successful "Shaft". Hence Bond finds himself in Harlem, being menaced by pimpmobiles and flamboyant drug kingpin Mr Big. Mr Big is a not very well disguised alter ego of Caribbean diplomat Dr Kananga, but perhaps the CIA don't go to Harlem often. He's backed up by henchmen Whisper (does what the name says) and the hook-handed Tee-Hee, memorably played by Julius W Harris.

Jane Seymour provides the glamour, though Bond gets to indulge himself first with Gloria Hendry as CIA agent Rosie Carver. She's been sent to kill him, but he's Bond and she's a woman... Can't the villains see the fatal flaw in that plan?

The plot sees Bond chasing from the USA to the Caribbean in a heady mix of voodoo, boat chases and even a bus chase. Moore acquits himself splendidly and "Live And Let Die" cemented his success. The new Ultimate Edition has a totally remastered picture and new 5.1 DTS sound. It combines the features and director's commentary from the previous release with a bewildering array of new documentaries. An essential purchase for the true Bond fan.