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IMDbPro

Licence to Kill

  • 1989
  • 13+
  • 2h 13m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
108K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,586
33
Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto, and Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill (1989)
Trailer 2 for Licence To Kill
Play trailer1:54
3 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionAdventureThriller

A vengeful James Bond goes rogue to infiltrate and take down the organization of a drug lord who has murdered his friend's new wife and left him near death.A vengeful James Bond goes rogue to infiltrate and take down the organization of a drug lord who has murdered his friend's new wife and left him near death.A vengeful James Bond goes rogue to infiltrate and take down the organization of a drug lord who has murdered his friend's new wife and left him near death.

  • Director
    • John Glen
  • Writers
    • Michael G. Wilson
    • Richard Maibaum
    • Ian Fleming
  • Stars
    • Timothy Dalton
    • Robert Davi
    • Carey Lowell
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    108K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,586
    33
    • Director
      • John Glen
    • Writers
      • Michael G. Wilson
      • Richard Maibaum
      • Ian Fleming
    • Stars
      • Timothy Dalton
      • Robert Davi
      • Carey Lowell
    • 445User reviews
    • 104Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos3

    Licence to Kill
    Trailer 1:54
    Watch Licence to Kill
    Licence to Kill
    Trailer 1:19
    Watch Licence to Kill
    License To Kill: Private Vendetta
    Clip 1:37
    Watch License To Kill: Private Vendetta

    Photos183

    Carey Lowell in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Carey Lowell in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Carey Lowell and Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Timothy Dalton and Desmond Llewelyn in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Timothy Dalton, Robert Davi, and Guy De Saint Cyr in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Talisa Soto and Robert Davi in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Robert Davi in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto, Timothy Dalton, Diane Hsu, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Talisa Soto in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Carey Lowell and Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Timothy Dalton and Robert Davi in Licence to Kill (1989)
    Wayne Newton in Licence to Kill (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Timothy Dalton
    Timothy Dalton
    • James Bond
    Robert Davi
    Robert Davi
    • Franz Sanchez
    Carey Lowell
    Carey Lowell
    • Pam Bouvier
    Talisa Soto
    Talisa Soto
    • Lupe Lamora
    Anthony Zerbe
    Anthony Zerbe
    • Milton Krest
    Frank McRae
    Frank McRae
    • Sharkey
    Everett McGill
    Everett McGill
    • Killifer
    Wayne Newton
    Wayne Newton
    • Professor Joe Butcher
    Benicio Del Toro
    Benicio Del Toro
    • Dario
    Anthony Starke
    Anthony Starke
    • Truman-Lodge
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
    • President Hector Lopez
    • (as Pedro Armendariz)
    Desmond Llewelyn
    Desmond Llewelyn
    • Q
    David Hedison
    David Hedison
    • Felix Leiter
    Priscilla Barnes
    Priscilla Barnes
    • Della Churchill
    Robert Brown
    Robert Brown
    • M
    Caroline Bliss
    Caroline Bliss
    • Miss Moneypenny
    Don Stroud
    Don Stroud
    • Heller
    Grand L. Bush
    Grand L. Bush
    • Hawkins
    • Director
      • John Glen
    • Writers
      • Michael G. Wilson
      • Richard Maibaum
      • Ian Fleming
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Timothy Dalton stated in an interview about why his Bond was a much darker, grittier incarnation. It was because he wanted to go back to the Ian Fleming novels, and capture the essence and the spirit of the character Ian Fleming created.
    • Goofs
      When the air hose on a truck's braking system is severed, the brakes lock on, they do not release as shown.
    • Quotes

      [Sanchez is about to kill James]

      Franz Sanchez: You could have had everything.

      James Bond: Don't you want to know why?

      [Shows Sanchez Felix's lighter, then sets Sanchez on fire]

    • Crazy credits
      The Surgeon General's warning appears at the end credits, due to the characters' use of tobacco products.
    • Alternate versions
      On pan and scan VHS prints issued since 1990, the opening title credits have been slightly altered to fit the screen. Some credits that took one line in the widescreen version were altered to fit two lines in the pan and scan version.
    • Connections
      Edited into Folgers Coffee 'Licence to Kill' Television Commercial (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Licence to Kill
      Music by Narada Michael Walden

      Lyrics by Walter Afanasieff

      Performed by Gladys Knight

    User reviews445

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Stimulating adventure in which an avenger Bond goes after a drug baron to revenge an attack on his best partner
    Timothy Dalton's second entry in which faces dangerous adventures around the world in this solid , slick thriller with magic mix of action-packed , dazzling stunts, gadgetry, and romance provided by sexy company as Talila Soto and Carey Lowell. Timothy Dalton's last outing with overwhelming action and spectacular scenarios . This was Timothy Dalton second appearance as tough and attractive James Bond of the Ian Fleming's famous creation and screen-written by Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson . This Bond film deals with seductive James Bond OO7 as the ultimate spy hero who undergoes a dangerous mission seeking revenge . This time Bond gets mad after a close friend named Felix Leiter (David Hedison of Voyage to the bottom of the sea) from the intelligence sector being abducted on his wedding day ( the bride is played by Priscilla Barnes), and 007 goes undercover to link the kidnapping to an international drug cartel . James attempts to chase the corrupt kingpin and a double-dealing agent (Everet McGill). Meanwhile , there happens a high-octane race and discovers clues about Sanchez (the ruthless villain well played by Robert Davi) and his hoodlums (Anthony Zerbe , Don Stroud and Benicio Del Toro at one of his first appearances). James is double-crossed and continues to follow the lead to baddie's headquarter . Bond deserts Her Majesty's Secret Service and embarks on a world wide personal vendetta . Meanwhile, 007 join forces with a gorgeous , cocky CIA agent (Carey Lowell who married Richard Gere) and of course he falls in love with her .

    Timothy Dalton as new James Bond is nice , lacked in irony, suavity and sympathy characterized by Roger Moore however earns in dimension of humanity , coldness ,cunning , adding intelligence and toughness like Sean Connery and nearly to character created by Ian Fleming . Timothy Dalton made his final intervention as Bond in this Licence to Kill, the toughest of the Bond films since Connery's early efforts .In spite of the spectacular opening sequences the Bond films were starting to look a little bit old and tired just like its star Roger Moore , then the producers Michael Wilson, Albert R. Broccoli and his daughter Barbara Broccoli hired Timothy Dalton to up the series. However , Dalton only played two Bonds ,¨The living daylights¨ and ¨Licence to Kill ¨ with the same director John Glen . Here Bond is an efficient , relentless agent trying to chase obstinately the criminals led by a drug kingpin , traveling around the world as always , as this globe-trotting story to achieve his aims , James along the way uses violent means even pulling off brutal killings against enemies who wreak all sorts of havoc . As always Bond will use gadgets and spectacular cars provided by ¨Q¨ (Desmond Llewelyn in an important appearance) . In addition , there appears at the second intervention Caroline Bliss and Robert Brown as ¨MoneyPenny¨ and ¨M¨ , respectively .

    The picture with a low-key intrigue contains sensational chases , silly set pieces, high adventure ,great stunts, ferocious action , amazing gimmicks and exciting images like are the happenings on the frantic boat pursuit , a midair brawl with breathtaking aerial scenes over the controls of an out-of-control aircraft , and unstopped action truck-races in the Mexican desert . Enjoyable title song and stirring musical score fitting to action by Michael Kamen , in similar style to classic John Barry . Riveting and fancy main titles by habitual Maurice Binder . It's brimming with colorful and fascinating cinematography by cameraman Alec Mils. The motion picture produced by habitual producers, Albert ,Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson , being professionally directed by John Glen who directed various outings (Licence to kill, A view to kill , For your eyes only. Octopussy) though with no originality . The film will appeal to James Bond series's buffs but good for fans only ; because this one goes on far too long . Rating : 6 , well worth watching .
    helpful•21
    8
    • ma-cortes
    • Dec 5, 2010

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    FAQ12

    • Who is the woman dancing in the opening credits?
    • What is 'Licence to Kill' about?
    • Is 'Licence to Kill' based on an Ian Fleming book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 14, 1989 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Permis de tuer
    • Filming locations
      • Otomi Ceremonial Center, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico(Olympiatec Meditation Institute and drug laboratory)
    • Production companies
      • Danjaq
      • Eon Productions
      • Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $32,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $34,667,015
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,774,776
      • Jul 16, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $156,167,015
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 13 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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