The Best Moment Of Every James Bond Film - Ranked
20. Licence To Kill: The Fate Of Felix And Della
Licence to Kill - which sees James Bond go on a revenge mission after his best friend, Felix Leiter, is attacked - is the darkest Bond film of them all and the only one to get a 15 certificate in the UK. What happens to Felix Leiter on the day of his wedding to Della is haunting stuff.
Della is raped and murdered off-screen, while Felix is mutilated by a shark and both of them are found at their house by Bond. Bond has rarely looked more broken and this dark inciting incident sets the tone for the rest of the film.
Licence to Kill does get flak for its brutal nature, but this scene is very powerful and shows off a very interesting, more human side to the normally stoic, efficient hero we all know so well. It's also a nice look at the close friendship between Bond and Leiter, which has never been explored enough in the films.
Licence to Kill has some other good scenes, such as the subsequent set-piece in the aquarium where Felix was mutilated and the final tanker chase, but this early part is what will stay with you.