Daniel Craig’s favourite James Bond moment is in Roger Moore’s Live and Let Die

It was 50 years ago today that Roger Moore’s first of a record seven official James Bond movies hit UK cinemas.

Live and Let Die took EON Productions back to Jamaica, where Ian Fleming wrote the 007 novels and the first movie Dr No was filmed.

Aside from Paul McCartney penning what is probably the best Bond theme for it, the 1973 classic was also the first in the series that out-going star Daniel Craig watched as a child.

In fact, his favourite ever Bond movie scene is in the movie, as revealed to Empire magazine.

The subject came up when the star was previously asked to write a short piece highlighting his favourite cinema moments.

Craig admitted that The Mummy, which starred his wife Rachel Weisz, was one of his favourites, plus the likes of Frozen, Goodfellas, Gladiator and The Avengers. But during his list, the only mention of James Bond was from Sir Roger Moore’s 1973 debut, Live and Let Die. He simply wrote: “Cheering as Roger Moore danced over alligators.”

Bond fans will remember the scene where the one-armed Tee Hee leaves 007 to be eaten by what were apparently actually crocodiles at a farm in the Deep South. However, Moore’s spy manages to escape by using the reptiles as stepping stones. The scene was shot at Jamaica Safari Village at Ocho Rios after the crew, who had been searching for locations, came across the crocodile farm. Outside there was a sign warning that “Trespassers will be eaten.”

The owner, Ross Kananga, had suggested the stunt of Bond jumping across the crocodiles and was hired to perform it himself by the producers.

The stunt took five takes, including one that saw the last crocodile tear Kananga’s trousers after snapping at his leg. He sustained a number of injuries, including one that required 193 stitches, while being paid $60,000 for his part in the movie.

Of course, the farm owner also inspired the name of Live and Let Die’s villain Dr Kananga aka Mr Big, who was played by Yaphet Kotto. The real Kananga returned to live in South Florida in 1976 before dying of cardiac arrest while spearfishing in the Everglades just two years later at the age of 32.