Licence to Kill

Licence to Kill

Year: 1989

Runtime: 133 min

Language: English

Director: John Glen

ActionAdventureThriller

When a brutal drug lord murders his newlywed friend, James Bond turns rogue, fueled by vengeance as well as duty. In this thrilling adventure, Bond's quest for retribution takes him on a treacherous path, pitting him against the international cartel's deadliest operatives in a fight to the finish.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Licence to Kill (1989)
Trace every key event in Licence to Kill (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Wedding Intercepted

DEA agents apprehend MI6 operative James Bond and CIA operative Felix Leiter as they head to Leiter's wedding in Key West. They are tasked with capturing the notorious drug lord, Franz Sanchez, presenting a unique twist to their original plans.

Key West, Florida
2

Sanchez's Aircraft Capture

Bond and Leiter devise a clever plan to seize Sanchez's aircraft using a hook and cord. Their operation is assisted by a Coast Guard helicopter, resulting in an impressive mid-air capture of the drug lord's plane.

3

Tragedy Strikes

In a chaotic turn of events, Sanchez escapes with the help of corrupt DEA agent Ed Killifer. The incident leads to a fierce attack by Dario and Sanchez's henchmen, resulting in the tragic death of Leiter's bride, Della.

4

Bond's Return to Chaos

Upon realizing Sanchez has escaped, Bond rushes back to Leiter's estate, only to find his friend gravely wounded. The harrowing discovery of Della's fate intensifies Bond's resolve for vengeance.

Leiter's estate
5

A Quest for Revenge

Fueled by anger and grief, Bond teams up with Leiter's friend Sharkey to initiate their own investigation into Sanchez's operations. Their quest leads them to the discovery of a marine facility connected to Sanchez.

6

Confronting Killifer

Bond acknowledges the threat of Ed Killifer and confronts him in a tense standoff at a shark-infested pond. Driven by vengeance, Bond eliminates Killifer, cementing his commitment to dismantle Sanchez's empire.

Shark-infested pond
7

Suspension from MI6

Following a critical meeting with M, Bond is summoned to Istanbul for a new assignment. However, he chooses to resign from MI6, resulting in a suspension of his license to kill and leaving him as a rogue agent.

8

Operation Wavekrest

Amid his isolation, Bond infiltrates Sanchez's ship, Wavekrest, thwarting his latest drug smuggling attempt. He seizes $5 million, further laying the groundwork for his ongoing war against Sanchez.

9

Meeting Pam Bouvier

In the vibrant bars of Bimini, Bond encounters Pam Bouvier, a fearless pilot and DEA informant. Together, they form an unlikely alliance, combining their skills in the fight against Sanchez.

Bimini
10

Impersonation Plan

Bond travels to the Republic of Isthmus, adopting the guise of an assassin-for-hire to infiltrate Sanchez's operation. However, this bold plan quickly unravels when he is captured by Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau officers.

Republic of Isthmus
11

Framing Krest

Utilizing Bouvier's insider knowledge, Bond succeeds in framing Milton Krest by planting the seized $5 million on Wavekrest. This pivotal move sets off Krest's downfall within Sanchez's drug operations.

12

Sinister Plans Unveiled

Bond uncovers Sanchez's heinous plan to dissolve cocaine in petrol to sell it as fuel to Asian drug dealers. The criminal network expands as televangelist Joe Butcher unwittingly becomes a pawn in Sanchez's operation.

13

Dario's Recognition

Bond's cover is compromised during a presentation for potential clients when Dario recognizes him. A desperate escape ensues, leading Bond to start a fire in the lab in a bid for freedom.

14

Turning the Tables

In a remarkable act of bravery, Bouvier intervenes just as Bond faces death at the hands of Dario. Taking precise action, she eliminates Dario, allowing Bond to reverse their fate in a thrilling showdown.

15

Final Confrontation with Sanchez

In a climactic battle, Bond confronts Sanchez during his escape with cocaine-filled tankers. The airborne pursuit culminates in an explosive showdown, where Bond uses a cigarette lighter from Leiter to ignite Sanchez’s demise.

Final tanker

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 13:58

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