Living Daylights, The (1987), PG, 2 hr 10 min

The Living Daylights (1987), PG, 2 hr 10 min
Franchise: James Bond
Franchise #: 15 (Release Order: Fifteenth film in the official Eon Productions James Bond series)

Tagline: Licensed to thrill.

Main Cast
Timothy Dalton as James Bond
Maryam d'Abo as Kara Milovy
Jeroen Krabbé as General Georgi Koskov
Joe Don Baker as Brad Whitaker
John Rhys-Davies as General Pushkin
Art Malik as Kamran Shah
Desmond Llewelyn as Q
Robert Brown as M
Caroline Bliss as Miss Moneypenny

Reviews
Synopsis
Bond is sent to protect a Soviet defector but quickly uncovers a far-reaching plot involving arms dealers, betrayal, and Cold War tensions. Partnering with Czech cellist Kara Milovy, Bond chases the truth across Europe and Afghanistan—trying to stop a deal that could tip the global balance.

Overview
The Living Daylights marked a major tonal shift for the series. Timothy Dalton plays Bond closer to Ian Fleming’s original novels—serious, no-nonsense, and emotionally restrained. The plot is intricate, with more spycraft and less gadget-heavy flash. It’s a cerebral, grounded entry that many fans appreciate for its realism.

Family Friendliness
Less campy and less sexual than Moore’s outings, but still includes moderate violence, some sensuality, and peril. It’s a good fit for older teens and up. Bond's relationship with Kara is more emotionally grounded than the usual fling, which may make it more relatable for families concerned about content.

Christian Perspective
This Bond is more principled and emotionally mature, and the romance feels less exploitative than previous entries. While it still contains the typical violence and moral ambiguity, Dalton’s portrayal reflects more inner conflict and integrity. There’s still no overt Christian message, but it’s less objectionable than many Bond films.

Critics Ratings
My Rating: 8/10
The Dove Foundation: Not Approved
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 73%, Audience 66%
Metacritic: 59/100

Notable Scenes
Bond helping Kara escape through Bratislava in a cello case

The Aston Martin chase with skis and lasers

Bond parachuting into Soviet-occupied Afghanistan

Explosive final showdown with Brad Whitaker in his war museum

Bond confronting General Pushkin in Tangier


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