The Living Daylights was a bigger success than the last couple of Bond movies starring Moore. His next Bond film Licence to Kill was still successful in most markets, but didn't do as well in the United States. Legal disputes delayed the production of the next film. Dalton's contract expired before things were sorted out. Negotiations began again with him, but he decided to move on from the role. Pierce Brosnan would then be hired to become James Bond in the next film GoldenEye (1995).
Dalton had wanted to take the role back to its roots. He was a big fan of the Ian Fleming novels. He wanted Bond to be more cold, ruthless & serious. He felt that the franchise had gotten silly and outlandish over the years. Fans seem to be mixed over Dalton's turn as Bond. I personally think he was a great 007. While his two Bond movies aren't perfect, I enjoyed both of them. It's a shame that he didn't play the role in a couple of more movies. I do think that Dalton has gained more respect over the years, especially since Daniel Craig has become the latest actor to play Bond.
The Living Daylights:
Licence to Kill:
There are NO James Bond movies as good as the original ones! :)
ReplyDeleteThere is something a bit more evil about Timothy than the other Bonds. Is it his eyes..not sure? He's not my favorite Bond, but wouldn't throw him out in the trash either. Great post Keith!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to be ~
Dalton was a great Bond saddled with lousy scripts.
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nice post about James bond ,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting - and a shame - as you say, now Craig is playing Bond tough and icy cold which is what Dalton wanted to do. I guess wrong time wrong place for Mr. Dalton. You know, I'm a huge Bond fan but I have never ever seen a Dalton film on purpose! (guess that doesn't make me such a huge fan huh?) Maybe now I'll check him out!
ReplyDeleteReally? I didn't know about these. Thanks for sharing, Keith!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Friday!
XoXo
I loved "The Living Daylights" due to many aspects. First of all, I thought at that time that Timothy Dalton was the best looking man that ever walked the earth.;) Then, that Bond movie was taking place partly in the Eastern Bloc, more specifically in the place of my origin, Prague. And finally, the Bond theme was made by A-ha, the most popular pop act then.;)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post as always.;)
Have a great Friday.;)
Just stopping by to wish you a fabulous weekend! Hopefully it will be full of all things James Bond :D
ReplyDeleteI liked Living Daylights and thought Dalton was a good Bond. He had the added pressure of the Cold War ending... I don't think we were ready for Bond to be chasing drug dealers, even though most of the Connery films were not Soviet related.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily. Thanks for commenting. I definitely prefer Connery over any of the others. The 60's Bond was the best.
ReplyDeleteWith you all the way Keith - he brought a dark menace and suppressed tension that Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan lacked. Shame he didn't stay around.
ReplyDeleteThere was another English actor Lewis Collins who was almost chosen after Roger Moore, but fell out with the Producers and that was that. He'd have made a mighty bond.
Hey Dumbwit. Thanks. He's not my favorite Bond. That's Connery. I like him though. He definitely played the role colder and more ruthless than others. I liked that about him.
ReplyDeleteHey Robert. I totally agree. That's why I mentioned neither of his movies were perfect. There were definitely things that needed to be changed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Naveen. Glad you liked it.
Hey Sam. Thanks. Dalton's films are getting more attention and respect now since Craig is playing the role in the same vein. I think people just weren't ready for that 20 years ago. I do hope you will watch his two Bond films.
ReplyDeleteHey Janet. I'm glad I could let you know about these films. I hope you'll get a chance to see them.
Hey Protege. Thanks. I'm glad you liked "The Living Daylights." That movie had a lot going for it. I do like the locale of it. I've always visited some places in Eastern Europe, such as Prague, etc. I do love the theme song for this one. I think the villains were a little weak in this one though.
ReplyDeleteHey Housewife. Thanks. I hope you will enjoy your weekend as well. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHey Darius. Thanks. Dalton came along when there was all the stuff about AIDS happening. Plus the Cold War was ending so there needed to be a new set of villains. It was a bad time to play Bond. I still enjoyed what he brought to the character.
Hey Dave. Thanks. Glad you understand where I'm coming from with this. I do wish he would have done a few more. I like Roger and Pierce, but Timothy brought something to the role that both of them lacked. It is also interesting to see the other men who may have played 007.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite Bonds. You are right that he brought an edge back to the character. I wish he would have done GoldenEye.
ReplyDeletehi keith!
ReplyDeletehow's the weather there in NC?
i love james bond movies. he's very good actor.
Hey Wolf. Thanks. Glad to see you're a fan too. I do wish he would have done that film.
ReplyDeleteHey Mom. Thanks. Glad to see you like Bond. It's cold here. We've also been getting some rain.
ReplyDeleteI just can't see Timothy playing James Bond - he doesn't have the same soft, charisma about him that the original possessed. :)
ReplyDeleteHe was a great Bond. I also wish he had done more of these films.
ReplyDeleteohhhhhh keith, you are mr bond!
ReplyDeleteagneta, you remember the swe......
Hey Erika. Thanks for commenting. Sorry you don't like the idea of Timothy as 007. He did get a mixed reaction the role.
ReplyDeleteHey Phoebe. Thanks. I do wish he had done a couple more.
ReplyDeleteHey Agneta. Thanks so much. You're too sweet. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteTD was an outstanding Bond. I was never as much of a fan of Brosnan in that role.
ReplyDeleteInteresting review on his portrayal dear Keith, especially coming from such a fan of the 007 films... now you have me thinking on your thoughts on Craig?
ReplyDeleteWishes for a fantastic weekend!♥
When I hear Bond, James Bond, I always think they're just one person portraying him...like they're look-alikes... :)
ReplyDeleteHey Tights. I like Brosnan, but he was no Dalton. I much would have preferred to have seen Dalton continue in the role for a number of years.
ReplyDeleteHey Gabbi. Thanks for commenting I like Daniel Craig. I think he's taking the role back to what Dalton was trying to do. I like Casino Royale better than Quantum of Solace though. I do wish though they would bring back Q & Moneypenny.
ReplyDeleteHey Lance. Thanks for commenting. They definitely all looked different. It wasn't just one man being cloned over the years.
ReplyDeleteThe weirdest thing is I had a dream about James Bond last night.
ReplyDeleteXOXOX
Libby
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I totally forgot he played Bond. I love Dalton as an actor and will have to rewatch these.
ReplyDeleteMy husband, too, likes Bond in the books better.
lululetty.blogspot.com
Hey Libby. That's really cool. I hope it was a good dream.
ReplyDeleteHey Maria. Thanks for commenting. Definitely watch the two Dalton Bond films. I love Bond in the books.
ReplyDeleteI have always adored this The Living Daylights poster. I just still dont know why.
ReplyDeleteFun post, Keith, I always like your movie centred pieces. Any Bond film is a good watch, in my books, but I just never felt like Timothy was any sort of a match compared to Sean :D
ReplyDeleteHave an awesome weekend!
♥ Jessica
my fave bonds were SEan Connery and roger moore! huge crushes on their younger selves!
ReplyDeletehappy wknd Keith
x
marian
I always liked Dalton, but felt he was not given the platform to really blossom. The movies were still kitschy - he would probably do very well today though!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend Keith :-) xoxo
Hey Autumn. Nothing wrong with that. It is a cool poster.
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica. Thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoy these type of posts. I have a lot of fun with my Bond posts. I think all Bonds will always be compared to Connery.
ReplyDeleteHey Marian. Thanks for commenting. Those were both awesome Bonds. Connery is my favorite, while Moore is the favorite of my two siblings.
ReplyDeleteHey Veronica. Thanks for commenting. I think Dalton deserved better material. They weren't bad movies, but needed some work. It juts wasn't a good time in the Bond universe.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting info. about Dalton! Love the movie posters too!
ReplyDeletexoxox,
CC
I love the Bond movies too. I like the new ones with Craig but I don't care about how realistic they are. Thats why I prefer the oldies-they're more fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely comment :)
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Hey Carrie. Thanks. I'm happy you got something out of this post.
ReplyDeleteHey Phoebe. Thanks. I do like Craig's Bond movies. I do prefer the more classic ones. I miss the things that made these movies "Bondish."
ReplyDeleteI definitely think Dalton is overlooked far too easily. Although I have trouble picturing him as the quintessential Bond, he actually did a really amazing job. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend :)
ReplyDeleteI like him a lot as Bond. I remember watching it as a kid and thinking how intelligent, vulnerable and charming "Bond" was at last.
ReplyDeleteYou might not know that he did most of his own stunts, including the one where he was slammed on top of a moving land rover.
Hey Dapper. Thanks for commenting. It was nice hearing your take on Dalton. Glad you do like him. Even though Connery is my favorite Bond, I actually picture Dalton usually when I read the books for some reason.
ReplyDeleteHey Clarity. Thanks for commenting. Glad to see you're a Bond and Dalton fan. He was awesome as 007. I did know that about the stunts. Hope you're enjoying the weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh, Timmy was a fab Bond. Loved him as Bond. I don't know what all the uproar was about. I thought he was quite a perfect Bond. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't like current Bond...Dalton was such a perfect choice.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really into James Bond movies, though I've seen the ones with Daniel Craig. :P
ReplyDeleteHave a great sunday!
Hey Steph. Thanks. I know what you mean. It's like how people freaked out when Craig became 007. There was a lot of that back with Dalton.
ReplyDeleteHey Marta. Thanks. Glad you liked Dalton as 007.
ReplyDeleteHey Nosh. Thanks. Hope you get the chance to watch some of the earlier ones though.