20 Things You Didn’t Know About Live And Let Die (1973)

13. Sheer Magnetism, Darling

Live and Let Die Bond Solitaire
MGM/UA

Desmond Llewelyn's Q does not feature in Live And Let Die, but the film is still filled with gadgets, from a transmitter concealed in a hairbrush to a shark gun that fires compressed air bullets.

The one that takes the biscuit, however, is James Bond’s Rolex Submariner wristwatch, which doubles both as a high-intensity magnet capable of deflecting the path of a bullet and as a mini-buzzsaw. Production designer, Syd Cain worked with the special effects team to ensure that the Rolex appeared to perform all of the nifty tricks that were expected of it onscreen.

Roger Moore later named this as his favourite gadget from his entire run as James Bond. This was despite the fact that it had taken a crew member lying on the floor of Bond’s home 29 takes to unzip Miss Caruso's (Madeleine Smith’s) dress with fishing wire in order to mimic the Rolex’s magnetic power!

Contributor

I started writing for WhatCulture in July 2020. I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I have contributed to several short story competitions and I have occasionally been fortunate enough to have my work published. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I also started reviewing films on my Facebook page. Numerous friends and contacts suggested that I should start my own website for reviewing films, but I wanted something a bit more diverse - and so here I am! My interests focus on film and television mainly, but I also occasionally produce articles that venture into other areas as well. In particular, I am a fan of the under appreciated sequel (of which there are many), but I also like the classics and the mainstream too.