Meet The Licence to Kill Cast

The Licence to Kill Cast

The Cast of Licence to Kill

Ah, Licence to Kill and it’s wonderful cast. This Bond caper is unforgettable, even if it didn’t break the box office in quite the same way as Dalton’s opening salvo. Perhaps the film’s 15 rating and the whimsical title change for our American friends didn’t help.

At the helm, Timothy Dalton donned the tux for only his second but ultimately his swansong as 007 – a man aflame with personal vendettas after a devastating attack on his dear friend Felix Leiter’s spouse.

Dalton, giving a deja vu of his earlier turn in The Living Daylights, elevates Bond to a level where it feels almost Shakespearean. Our dapper agent, renouncing MI6’s call, goes off the grid to ensure Franz Sanchez gets his just deserts. And oh, Dalton’s stunt work? Majestic.

But let’s chat about Bond’s tiff with Pam Bouvier, a CIA informant. Their interactions? Less Mr. & Mrs. Smith and more a War of the Roses. A headstrong Bond, sometimes bordering on pouty, is an interesting look.

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When Dalton was critiqued for diving deep into Bond’s psyche – think a bit Brando, a bit Burton – many cried foul. Fast forward a few years, Daniel Craig‘s Bond had a similar depth. So, Dalton – a trendsetter? Perhaps.

Robert Davi, of Die Hard fame, embraced villainy as the monstrous drug lord, Franz Sanchez. Cold, calculating, terrifying – Davi’s no-nonsense take was pure cinematic gold.

Carey Lowell, our CIA pilot, rejects the damsel-in-distress trope with a fiery performance as Bouvier. Hers and Bond’s delicious tango injects a delightful cocktail of chuckles and a sprinkling of down-to-earth charm.

This added with a blend of Lupe Lamora, and we have a love triangle at times. Played by the stunning Talisa Soto, she doesn’t just add a touch of romance but also stirs in some unexpected chuckles. It’s a love affair with a wink and a nod, adding a layer of levity to the pot.

Watch a Timothy Dalton interview discussing Licence to Kill

Anthony Zerbe’s arms dealer, Milton Krest? Chilling and oddly comic. A memorable, if grisly, exit courtesy of a decompression chamber lends a macabre touch. Echoes of Dr. Kananga’s demise in Live and Let Die here, but with tech advancements making it all the more gruesome.

Everett McGill played the dubious DEA Agent Ed Killifer, and what a turn. Slipping between suave and sinister, McGill’s Killifer is bought off by the icy Sanchez, spiraling events that lead to the harrowing fate of dear Felix Leiter and his spouse.

McGill, with a flourish, captures the essence of a cop who’s lost his compass, walking the thin line of treachery. And that end? A dip in a shark tank, courtesy of Bond – as chilling as it gets. Drama, served on ice.

A fledgling Benicio del Toro appears as the not-so-threatening Dario, although hinting at the great actor he’d become. Chicago Bears’ Frank McRae offers a nod to John Kitzmiller‘s Quarrel from Dr No, while Everett McGill nails the treacherous DEA Agent Ed Killifer, meeting his end in a Jaws-inspired twist.

David Hedison’s turn as Felix Leiter is one for the books. With Leiter facing a nightmarish maiming in a shark pool and the unspeakable ordeal of his wife on their wedding night, it lights a fire under Bond, transforming a spy’s jaunt into a deeply-felt vendetta.

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Desmond Llewelyn, our evergreen Q, is given more than just a cameo. Decked with gadgets, he plays field support in a brilliant change of pace. And Robert Brown’s M? Stern, yet showing a soft corner for the rebellious Bond.

Caroline Bliss’s Miss Moneypenny is back, and although the role’s succinctness is reminiscent of a cameo, she brings that delightful cheek we so love. She, along with many others, deftly adds layers to the Licence to Kill cast.

In all, Licence to Kill is an ensemble triumph. Each actor, embracing their roles with fervour and finesse, spins a Bond yarn that stands tall in the storied 007 canon. Dalton’s intense Bond, Lowell and Soto’s feisty tussle for Bond’s affections, and of course Davi’s menacing Sanchez – the film is a rollicking showcase of pure talent. Cheers!

Watch the official trailer for Licence to Kill

Other members of the Licence to Kill Cast and Crew

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