Licence to Kill, released in 1989, is the sixteenth entry in the James Bond film series by Eon Productions, and the first one not to use the title of an Ian Fleming story. It is the fifth and final consecutive Bond film to be directed by John Glen. It also marks Timothy Dalton's second and final performance in the role of James Bond. The story has elements of two Ian Fleming short stories and a novel, interwoven with aspects from Japanese Rōnin tales. The film sees Bond being suspended from MI6 as he pursues drugs lord Franz Sanchez, who has ordered an attack against his CIA friend Felix Leiter and a rape and murder on Felix's wife during their honeymoon. Originally titled Licence Revoked in line with the plot, the name was changed during post-production because too many people did not know what revoked meant.
Budgetary reasons caused Licence to Kill to be the first Bond film shot completely outside the United Kingdom, with locations in both Florida and Mexico. The film earned over $156 million worldwide, and enjoyed a generally positive critical reception, with ample praise for the stunts, but attracted some criticism of Dalton's dark and violent interpretation of Bond and the fact that the film was significantly darker and more violent than its predecessors.
Licence to kill is the official sanction by a government or government agency to a particular operative or employee to initiate the use of lethal force in the delivery of their objectives, well known as a literary device used in espionage fiction. The initiation of lethal force is in comparison to the use of lethal force in self-defense or the protection of life.
The legitimacy of deadly force usage from country to country is generally controlled by statute law, particular and direct executive orders, the common law, or rules of engagement.
Sir Richard Billing Dearlove, former head of the UK Secret Intelligence Service MI6, testified in court in 2007-2008's Diana, Princess of Wales inquest that it does grant a licence to kill, subject to a "Class Seven authorization" from the Foreign Secretary, but that there were no assassinations conducted under Dearlove's authority. Former MI6 agent Matthew Dunn stated that MI6 agents do not need a licence to kill as a spy's primary job is to violate the law in other countries, and if an agent is compromised, he or she is at the mercy of the authorities of that country.
007: Licence to Kill is a 1989 video game based on the James Bond film of the same name, developed by Quixel and published by Domark in 1989. It was originally released for DOS and then ported to the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, MSX and ZX Spectrum.
The game's storyline closely follows that of the film, consisting of six scenes in which Bond chases drug czar Sanchez who has murdered his best friend Felix Leiter's bride. The scenes within the game vary in setting and include helicopter chases, underwater diving, water-skis and behind the wheel of an 18-wheel tanker truck.
007: Licence to Kill is a top down vertical scrolling action shoot-em-up where the objective is for the player to pursue the antagonist (drug lord Sanchez) through six premade levels in a variety of different methods. The right hand side of the screen contains a HUD which displays information about the current level, such as the height of the helicopter in the first level or the amount of ammunition remaining in the second level. Hostile enemies populate each level which can be killed or avoided and there are side objectives along the way such as picking up ammunition or drug caches. The player must dodge shots and environment dangers such as boats or falling rocks.
Ooooh Oh-hooo I feel, I've got to hold on to your love Oooh.
Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away. Ohh, baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to you? Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me Once I get my sights on you.
Got a license to kill (to kill) And you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a license to kill) Got a license to kill (to kill) Anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a license to kill) License to kill.
Hey baby, think you need a friend to stand here by your side? Yes you do (your side) Ohh, baby, now you can depend on me to make things right (things right) Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me Once I get my sights on you
Got a license to kill (to kill) And you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a license to kill) Got a license to kill (to kill) Anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a license to kill)
Say that somebody tries to make a move on you In the blink of an eye, I will be there too And they better know why I'm gonna make them 'em pay Till their dying day Till their dying day Till their dying day
Got a license to kill (to kill) And you know I'm going straight for your heart, baby. (Got a license to kill) Got a license to kill Anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a license to kill)
Got a license to kill (to kill) And you know I'm heading straight for your heart. (Got a license to kill) Got a license to kill Anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a license to kill) License to kill Gotta hold onto your loving. License to kill Ooohooo! Kill.