A pure back-to-basics action-adventure spy drama which mostly delivers.
Comment
09/11/01
The Living Daylights (1987)
73
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:33
Fresh:24
Rotten:9
Average Rating:6.1/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 11 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: In this installment of the James Bond series, Agent 007 (Timothy Dalton) is assigned to protect a Russian defector (Maryam d'Abo) from the KGB. When the defection proves to be an elaborate ploy,... [More]
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Maryam D'Abo, Jeroen Krabbe, Joe Don Baker
Director: John Glen
Reviews for The Living Daylights
Top CriticAfter the fizzle of the later Roger Moore Bonds, The Living Daylights brings in a new 007 in Timothy Dalton, who manages the Connery trick of seeming suave and tough at the same time.
10/13/08
Top CriticWith its weak plotting and distinterested performances, this is a misfire on nearly every level.
10/13/08
Top CriticConfused plot and digressive globe trotting notwithstanding, the best Bond in years.
06/24/06
Top Critic
Has there ever been a weaker Bond villain than Whitaker? A more fatuous performance than Joroen Krabbe's Koskov? A less endearing Bond girl than Maryam D'Abo's Kara?
01/01/00
This Bond is as fast on his feet as with his wits; an ironic scowl creases his face; he's battle ready yet war-weary.
10/13/08
Top CriticThe raw materials of the James Bond films are so familiar by now that the series can be revived only through an injection of humor. That is, unfortunately, the one area in which the new Bond, Timothy Dalton, seems to be deficient.
01/01/00
Top CriticExpect the expected.
10/13/08
A snazzy spy thriller.
01/01/00
This is the Bond film the fans have been waiting for a very long time.
01/01/00
Mr. Dalton, the latest successor to the role of James Bond, is well equipped for his new responsibilities. He has enough presence, the right debonair looks and the kind of energy that the Bond series has lately been lacking.
05/20/03
Top CriticThe casting of Timothy Dalton as James Bond in this 15th entry into the adventures of 007 is widely considered a classic mistake: Dalton isn't suave like Sean Connery or even Roger Moore.
02/13/07
...ultimately comes off as one of the most ineffective and flat-out dull entries within the ongoing series.
10/16/08
Dalton brought to the part a strong dramatic presence, a heightened sensitivity, a greater human vulnerability than ever before, and a decided seriousness.
01/01/00
The story is too choppy and just meanders from one locale to another without bringing the parts together into a compelling whole.
01/01/00
It was somehow more entertaining than how it sounds.
02/17/09
Timothy Dalton, the fourth Bond, registers beautifully on all key counts of charm, machismo, sensitivity and technique.
10/13/08
Top CriticA very weak entry
02/10/08
Dalton, with his athletic sort of Brit-yuppie work ethic and romantic streak, comes out all right.
01/01/00
Latest News for The Living Daylights
November 06, 2008:
Bonding with Bond, Day 17: The Living Daylights
Community Manager RT-Ryan has never seen a single James Bond film, except for 2006's Casino Royale. To rectify the situation, he decides to watch every Bond film and write... More...
October 01, 2007:
Goodbye, Ms. Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell Passes Away at 80
Lois Maxwell, best known for playing Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond franchise, passed away at Freemantle Hospital in Perth, Australia. She was 80. More...
April 13, 2006:
Rogue Shows Some Fuzz Love
Read on for a very formal press release from Rogue Pictures, the ultimate gist of which is this: Rogue, which is the "genre arm" of Universal Pictures, will distribute... More...
March 01, 2006:
"Shaun" Gang Warms Up for "Hot Fuzz"
ComingSoon.net pointed us towards a press release at the Working Title Films website, and the good word is this: "Shaun of the Dead" veterans Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg,... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds