Film no. 15 · 1987 · Dalton era

The Living Daylights

A defector, a cello case and a deadly double-cross

TMDB rating: 6.6 / 10 · View on TMDB

Plot

During a training exercise in Gibraltar, an unknown attacker kills Agent 004 and leaves the message “Smiert Spionom”. Soon afterwards James Bond covers Soviet General Georgi Koskov's escape in Bratislava. Ordered to eliminate a sniper, Bond realises that cellist Kara Milovy is deliberately missing and spares her. In England, Koskov claims that new KGB chief Leonid Pushkin has revived a programme to murder Western agents. The assassin Necros then appears to abduct him back to the East.

Bond distrusts the story. In Bratislava he discovers that Kara is Koskov's girlfriend. Together they escape across the Austrian border in a gadget-laden Aston Martin and in her cello case. In Vienna, Bond and station chief Saunders uncover Koskov's arms dealings; Necros kills Saunders. Bond meets Felix Leiter in Tangier and confronts Pushkin. The two stage Pushkin's death, forcing Koskov to reveal himself. Kara is deceived, however, and she and Bond are taken to Soviet captivity in Afghanistan.

There they escape with mujahideen commander Kamran Shah. Koskov plans to buy a vast opium shipment whose proceeds will finance weapons from Brad Whitaker. During an assault on the air base, Bond hijacks the transport plane, defeats Necros on its dangling cargo net and destroys the opium. Kara rescues him with a Jeep. In Tangier Bond kills Whitaker while Pushkin arrests Koskov. At the closing concert in New York, Bond surprises Kara backstage.

Facts

James Bond: Timothy Dalton
Director: John Glen
Screenplay: Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson
Producers: Albert R. Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson
Music: John Barry
Title song: „The Living Daylights“a-ha
Based on: Ian Fleming: „The Living Daylights“1962
Running time: 131 minutes
Budget: $32 millionThe AFI Catalog reports $32 million; The Numbers gives a differing figure of $40 million.
Box office: $191 millionworldwide theatrical gross according to The Numbers; $51,185,000 came from North America
Release: UK: 30 June 1987US: 31 July 1987Germany: 13 August 1987

Travel route and filming locations

Gold numbers trace Bond's journey through the story, light markers show the real filming locations. Each layer can be hidden separately.

Bond's route · 12 stops

Total distance (great-circle)≈ 14,751 km

During an exercise, 002, 004 and Bond parachute onto the Rock. A bogus 00 agent kills 004; Bond pursues him on a Land Rover to the cliff edge.
Gibraltar → Bratislava, Czechoslovakia · ≈ 2,224 km
Bond covers Koskov's escape from the concert hall, spares the sniper Kara and delivers the general to the pipeline.
Bratislava, Czechoslovakia → Blayden House, Oxfordshire · ≈ 1,289 km
Koskov briefs MI6 about “Smiert Spionom”. Necros attacks the safe house and apparently returns him to the KGB.
Blayden House, Oxfordshire → MI6 headquarters, London · ≈ 56 km
M orders Bond to kill Pushkin. Bond suspects Koskov's account is false and follows the trail of the cellist instead.
MI6 headquarters, London → Bratislava · ≈ 1,288 km
Bond finds Kara, learns of her relationship with Koskov and takes her west under the pretence of reuniting them.
Bratislava → Czechoslovak–Austrian border · ≈ 339 km
After the Aston Martin chase, Bond and Kara slide through a border post and across a frozen lake into Austria in the cello case. The coordinates mark the real filming site at Nassfeld Pass.
Czechoslovak–Austrian border → Vienna · ≈ 299 km
Bond and Kara visit Schönbrunn and the Prater. Saunders confirms Koskov's financial dealings but is killed by Necros at the café.
Vienna → Tangier · ≈ 2,287 km
Bond meets Felix Leiter and Pushkin. Together they fake Pushkin's murder to draw Koskov and Whitaker into the open.
Tangier → Soviet air base, Afghanistan · ≈ 545 km
Koskov has Bond and Kara flown in as prisoners. They free Kamran Shah and escape; the coordinates mark the filming site at Ouarzazate, Morocco.
Soviet air base, Afghanistan → Mujahideen camp, Afghanistan · ≈ 27 km
Kamran Shah takes Bond and Kara to his camp. Bond learns of Koskov's opium plan; Kasbah Tamdaght portrays the Afghan fort.
Mujahideen camp, Afghanistan → Soviet air base, Afghanistan · ≈ 27 km
The mujahideen attack. Bond hijacks the opium aircraft, fights Necros on the cargo net and destroys the consignment.
Soviet air base, Afghanistan → Whitaker's villa, Tangier · ≈ 548 km
Bond defeats Whitaker in his military museum. Pushkin arrests Koskov and sends him back to Moscow.
Whitaker's villa, Tangier → Carnegie Hall, New York · ≈ 5,823 km
After Kara's concert, Gogol, Kamran Shah and MI6 attend the reception. Bond then surprises Kara in her dressing room.

Filming locations · 22

Parachute drop, exercise ground and Land Rover pursuit in the pre-title
doubles for Gibraltar cliff edge (Gibraltar)
Land Rover's plunge over the cliff
doubles for waters off Gibraltar (Gibraltar)
Bond lands on the yacht Moonmaiden II after the Gibraltar mission
doubles for Bratislava (Slovakia)
Exterior of the Bratislava concert hall and start of Koskov's escape
doubles for Bratislava (Slovakia)
Orchestra and concert-hall interiors
doubles for Bratislava (Slovakia)
Bond's sniper position opposite the concert hall
doubles for Bratislava (Slovakia)
Kara's apartment building and streets of screen Bratislava
doubles for Czechoslovak border (Slovakia)
Gas works and pipeline station for Koskov's escape
Blayden House, Koskov's debriefing and Necros's attack
Universal Exports exterior and Bond's return to London
doubles for Czechoslovak–Austrian border region (Austria)
Aston Martin ice chase and much of the cello-case escape
doubles for Czechoslovak–Austrian border (Austria)
Border checkpoint on the dam crest and cello-case passage
Bond and Kara visit the palace grounds and theatre
Ferris-wheel ride and romantic Vienna sequence
Hotel interiors and portions of Bond and Kara's stay
Whitaker's villa, military museum and final fight
doubles for Tangier (Morocco)
Additional interiors of Whitaker's villa
doubles for Afghanistan (Afghanistan)
Soviet air base and large-scale assault sequences
doubles for Afghanistan (Afghanistan)
Fortress and camp of Kamran Shah's mujahideen
doubles for Afghanistan (Afghanistan)
Desert riding, opium caravan and bridge sequence; the exact bridge site is not conclusively documented
doubles for Afghan airspace (Afghanistan)
Portions of the aerial footage and cargo-net stunts
Cargo-hold close-ups, Ferris-wheel replica, interiors, effects and models

Characters and cast

Bond

James BondTimothy DaltonDalton's first of two appearances as 007

Bond girls

Kara MilovyMaryam d'AboCellist and girlfriend of supposed defector Koskov

Villains

Henchmen

Allies

MI6

Others

Vehicles & Gadgets

Vehicles

Surviving Aston Martin V8 and cello case from The Living DaylightsPhoto: FR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Aston Martin V8 / V8 Volante
Car1985
Q Branch car with missiles, laser, spiked tyres and ski outriggers
Bond first collects the Aston as an open Volante; it appears with a fixed roof for his escape with Kara. A front-launched missile clears a police car, a laser cuts through a pursuer and spiked tyres grip the ice. When the tyres are lost, side skis keep the car moving until Bond activates self-destruct. Victor Gauntlett supplied his personal Volante; the production also bought three V8 saloons and built seven lightweight shells. The cars resembled a Vantage but were not technically genuine Vantage models.
Driven by
James Bond
Specs
5.3-litre V8; 432 bhp, 146 mph and 0–60 mph in 6.6 seconds for the Vantage specification
Sources: The cars of The Living Daylights – 007.com · Aston Martin V8 – 007.com
An Audi 200 quattro like Bond's Station V carPhoto: unbekannt · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Audi 200 quattro (C3)
Car1986
Black Station V saloon with registration W207.182
After Koskov's apparent defection, Bond drives him from the pipeline station to the western airfield in the black Audi. The discreet saloon suits Station V's covert work. The screen car had Exclusiv trim, BBS wheels and permanent quattro drive; it is now held by Audi Tradition.
Driven by
James Bond
Sources: The cars of The Living Daylights – 007.com · Audi 200 quattro – James Bond Lifestyle
In Tangier Bond drives the Audi 200 Avant estatePhoto: Rutger van der Maar · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Audi 200 Avant quattro (C3)
Car1986
Dark estate car with Moroccan registration 5196-33
In Tangier Bond uses the Avant as an unobtrusive operational vehicle. He watches Pushkin's hotel, meets Felix Leiter and prepares the staged shooting of the KGB chief. The angular estate combines generous cargo space with permanent four-wheel drive.
Driven by
James Bond
Sources: The cars of The Living Daylights – 007.com · Audi 200 quattro – James Bond Lifestyle
A Series III 88-inch like the vehicle in the Gibraltar sequencePhoto: AlfvanBeem · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Land Rover Series III 88-inch
Car1971
Short-wheelbase military Land Rover with canvas hood and screen registration 35KA42
During the Gibraltar exercise, the bogus 00 agent kills the crew. Bond lands on the canvas roof and fights for control before the vehicle plunges over the cliff. Timothy Dalton and stunt coordinator Simon Crane worked on the moving vehicle; portions of the drop were filmed at Beachy Head.
Driven by
British SAS soldiers and James Bond
Specs
88-inch wheelbase; typically a 2.25-litre diesel and selectable four-wheel drive
Sources: Land Rover Series III – 007.com · The vehicles of Timothy Dalton's 007 – 007.com
A long-wheelbase Series III forms the basis of the Soviet armoured vehiclePhoto: AlfvanBeem · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Land Rover Series III 109-inch armoured
Car
Fictionally armoured Soviet troop carrier with a battering ram
At the Afghan air base the long-wheelbase Land Rover serves as an armoured carrier. Kamran Shah takes it during the attack and rams the gate and airfield obstacles. Its angular armour is a film-built body on a Series III chassis.
Driven by
Soviet soldiers, later Kamran Shah
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com · The Living Daylights vehicles – IMCDb
A C-130 Hercules carries the airborne finalePhoto: Adrian Pingstone · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Aircraft
Four-engine transport in the pre-title and Afghan finale
A Hercules drops the 00 agents over Gibraltar. In the finale Bond hijacks a Soviet-marked transport carrying Koskov's opium. Necros clings to a cargo net beneath the open rear ramp; Bond cuts the load free and rescues Kara before the bomb explodes. Real C-130s were supplemented by models and studio work.
Driven by
Soviet transport crew, later James Bond
Sources: The vehicles of Timothy Dalton's 007 – 007.com · The Living Daylights aircraft – IMPDb
A C-123 Provider supported parts of the cargo-net stunt filmingPhoto: USAF · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Aircraft
Aerial stunt aircraft for parts of the cargo-net fight
A C-123 Provider was used alongside the depicted Hercules for dangerous exterior footage at the open cargo hold. Its broad rear fuselage and ramp supported the free-swinging net; in the edit it remains Koskov's C-130.
Driven by
Aerial stunt crew
Sources: Inside The Living Daylights – 007.com · The Living Daylights aircraft – IMPDb
A Harrier T.4 extracts Koskov from Blayden HousePhoto: Mike Freer - Touchdown-aviation · GFDL 1.2 · Wikimedia Commons
Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4
Aircraft
Vertical-take-off trainer ZB602 used to transfer Koskov
After the attack on Blayden House, Koskov is brought to a waiting Harrier. The two-seat trainer lifts vertically from the estate and carries him out of British custody.
Driven by
RAF crew
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com · The Living Daylights aircraft – IMPDb
A Huey of this type joins the battle at the air basePhoto: Christopher Griner · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bell UH-1H Iroquois
Aircraft
Armed Huey in the battle for the Afghan air base
During the mujahideen assault, a Soviet-marked Huey attacks riders and vehicles from the air. The helicopter is part of the airfield battle combining real aerial footage, ground effects and stunts.
Driven by
Soviet crew
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com · The Living Daylights aircraft – IMPDb
An Impala convertible from the model year of Koskov's Tangier carPhoto: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Chevrolet Impala Convertible
Car1959
Turquoise-and-white convertible for Koskov's arrival in Tangier
Koskov is driven through Tangier to Whitaker's villa in the American cruiser. The extravagant convertible advertises the arms dealer's wealth and contrasts with MI6's discreet Audis.
Driven by
Brad Whitaker's men and General Koskov
Sources: The Living Daylights vehicles – IMCDb
Trafalgar House Moonmaiden II motor yacht
Boat1975
39-metre motor yacht off Gibraltar
After his parachute jump Bond lands on the yacht's roof and borrows its owner's telephone. Built at Beykoz in Istanbul in 1975, it was then named Moonmaiden II and later Trafalgar.
Driven by
Linda
Sources: Trafalgar / Moonmaiden II yacht – James Bond Lifestyle
Surviving Aston Martin V8 and cello case from The Living DaylightsPhoto: FR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Q Branch Cello-case sled
Other
Fibreglass case fitted with runners and handles
After the Aston is destroyed, Bond and Kara continue in the cello case. It races over snow, ice and through a border checkpoint. A reinforced fibreglass case and rideable or towable variants were built; Dalton and d'Abo spent three days filming it.
Driven by
James Bond and Kara Milovy
Sources: Inside The Living Daylights – 007.com

Gadgets

Whistle-activated key fob
Q's key fob responds to different whistles: a wolf whistle releases stun gas, while the opening notes of “Rule, Britannia!” trigger an explosive charge. A universal lock pick is built into the same casing.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com
Surviving Aston Martin V8 and cello case from The Living DaylightsPhoto: FR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Cello-case sled
Kara's fibreglass cello case has deployable handles and runners. Bond and Kara use it as an improvised two-person sled across snow and ice, with the instrument travelling between them.
Sources: Inside The Living Daylights – 007.com
Bond uses the WA 2000 during Koskov's escapePhoto: Atirador · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Walther WA 2000
Bond watches Koskov's escape through the scope of the bullpup precision rifle. Realising that the sniper, Kara, is deliberately missing, he merely wounds her and refuses Saunders's order to make a killing shot.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com · The Living Daylights firearms – IMFDB
The Walther PPK remains Bond's compact service pistolPhoto: Tomascastelazo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Walther PPK 7.65 mm
Dalton's Bond carries the compact Walther PPK as his service pistol. It appears during Pushkin's staged shooting and when Bond enters Whitaker's villa.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com · The Living Daylights firearms – IMFDB
Explosive milk bottles
Necros smuggles his equipment onto the MI6 estate in a milk float. Bottles in the carrier are prepared as thrown grenades and provide cover during his assault on the safe house.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com
Philips D6645 “Sky Runner”
Necros listens to music on the portable cassette player during his operations. In the safe-house fight he pulls its headphone lead free and uses it as a garrotte.
Sources: Philips D6645 Sky Runner – James Bond Lifestyle
Pipeline escape capsule
Koskov is fired across the border from Czechoslovakia inside a padded carrier travelling through a natural-gas pipeline. Rosika Miklos launches the capsule and retrieves it on the western side.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com
Opium bomb
Bond conceals a timed explosive in one of Koskov's sacks of opium. The blast destroys the consignment aboard the aircraft, wiping out the capital Koskov intended to turn into arms for resale.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com
Hydraulic detonator
Whitaker keeps a detonator for a large explosive charge in his collection. Bond uses the charge against him in the final fight and triggers it with the explosive key fob.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com
Night-time rake detector
At Blayden House an electronic movement detector is disguised as an ordinary garden rake. Necros triggers it while infiltrating the estate, putting the guards on alert.
Sources: The Living Daylights – 007.com

Production and trivia

The film adapts its opening Bratislava section from Ian Fleming's short story “The Living Daylights”, published in 1962; the later plot involving Koskov, Whitaker and Afghanistan was created for the screen.
An early idea about Bond's first mission was abandoned. The real 1985 escape of Soviet defector Oleg Gordievsky instead supplied a contemporary spark for the defection storyline.
Timothy Dalton had been approached about Bond years earlier but considered himself too young. After Sam Neill's screen tests and Pierce Brosnan's scheduling conflict with “Remington Steele”, Dalton took the role.
Dalton reread Fleming's novels and shaped his performance around their more serious, vulnerable and professional agent. The screenplay was already largely complete before his casting was finalised.
Principal photography ran for 19 weeks from 29 September 1986 to 13 February 1987. The production filmed in Britain, Gibraltar, Austria, Morocco, Italy and the United States as well as at Pinewood Studios.
The second unit began in Gibraltar on 17 September 1986. Dalton performed many shots on the moving Land Rover himself; Beachy Head in Sussex doubled for the edge of the Rock.
Vienna portrayed both itself and then-Czechoslovak Bratislava. The production spent ten days in the city, using the Volksoper, Sofiensäle, Schönbrunn, Prater and Gasometers.
Three real Aston Martins and several lightweight doubles worked on the wintry Weissensee. The cold and weakening ice made filming hazardous; a car prepared for the jump succeeded only after an initial failed launch.
The stunt cello case was made from fibreglass and fitted with runners and handles. Timothy Dalton and Maryam d'Abo spent three days on the sequence, with Herman Sporer and Ida Huber handling its fastest passages.
The supposed Afghan exteriors were filmed near Ouarzazate and in Morocco's Ounila Valley. The often-repeated identification of the fort as Aït Ben Haddou is inaccurate: Kasbah Tamdaght was used; the bridge scene's precise position is not conclusively documented.
The exterior cargo-net stunts were genuinely performed in the air. B. J. Worth and Jake Lombard worked at the open rear of a transport aircraft; close-ups were filmed at Pinewood only about six feet above the floor against a painted backing.
John Barry composed his eleventh and final Bond score and appears as the conductor in the closing concert. a-ha's title song reached number five on the UK singles chart and remained there for nine weeks.
During Prince Charles and Princess Diana's visit to Pinewood, the effects crew demonstrated one of the Aston Martin's rockets. The Prince triggered the launch himself.
Necros's fight with the guard at Blayden House took three days to film. The production used hard close combat and practical stunt work to ground the tone more firmly than the later Moore films.
The world premiere took place at London's Odeon Leicester Square on 29 June 1987. The film grossed about $191.2 million worldwide; it opened in West Germany on 13 August 1987 and received the Goldene Leinwand in 1988.