Live and Let Die : The Scariest James Bond movie

 Live and Let Die: The James Bond Film That Scared It's Audience

Spoiler Alert: This post contains spoilers for both the film and book.

  The 1973 film, based on the 1954 book, was Roger Moore's debut as 007. Sean Connery declined reprising his famous roll following Diamonds are Forever and Moore was cast. Whatever people's opinion of Moore's Bond, he divides opinion to this day, Live and Let Die proved unforgettable in large part due to it's dark themes.

  The beautiful but apparently unattainable Solitaire, has the power to see the future and remote present events. Assisted by tarot cards.  As a high priestess, Solitaire's virginity is tied to her power. 

   After the inevitable tryst with Bond, Solitaire loses her ability, putting her life in danger

  Solitaire's punishment is too be sacrificed by the voodoo priest Baron Samedi. 

  

  Baron Samedi is a voodoo priest. The Haitian vodou (The correct spelling for this kind) practises in this film is what left some audiences a little uneasy. Voodoo itself is a broad term these days, often associated with both good and bad practises but usually, in popular culture at least, is associated with the occult, West African religion and witch doctors. Baron Samedi is a figure from Haitian vodou folklore, while not inherently evil he is dark and mysterious. Popular culture and misunderstanding of these kinds of religions has made him a villainous character who is often describes as the man who 'cannot die'. Sometimes he cannot die as he is a spirit or deity, sometimes it is his religion that gives him apparent immortality. Often it is a title passed on, hence the inability of the character to die. Either way, Baron Samedi is quite a frightening character.

   As Bond and Solitaire got though trials and tribulations leading up to the apparent happy ending of most bond films, this one ends on a dark note which is why many consider this the scariest of the Bond films. With the terror and voodoo behind the couple, they cuddle up on a train and apparently all is well. Then we are shown the front of the train as it speeds along.

  The film ends with Baron Samedi laughing while perched on the front of the train.

   The film leaves it ambiguous as to exactly who he is and whether or not he is really immortal. Although originally due to reappear in The Man With The Golden Gun we never see Baron Samedi again, although we know that he is still out there. Geoffrey Holder's stellar performance as the only supernaturally implied Bond villain, sent shivers down a few spines. 

  With voodoo feared by many of the western world and those who don't believe in it still freaked out by it's portrayal, this is a Bond film that some refuse to watch alone. 

The Darkside Facebook Page