Roger Moore’s James Bond in “Live and Let Die” is remembered for its thrilling chase scene featuring a Glastron 150 GT speeding through the Louisiana marshes. Pursued by two other boats, Bond executes a daring stunt, setting a record for the longest jump aboard a boat.
In the iconic sequence, Bond, pursued by Dr. Kananga’s henchmen, navigates the bayous of Louisiana aboard the famed orange star Glastron, with two other Glastron stars hot on his trail. To evade his pursuers, Bond spectacularly leaps over Sheriff JW Pepper’s police car, landing on the other side of the swamp. This breathtaking jump, captured on film, measures an impressive 36.57 meters (120 feet), earning a place in the Guinness World Records.
The boat used for this incredible feat was constructed on August 24, 1972, and features an Evinrude Starflite 135hp engine. In a photo capturing the moment the boat soars over the policeman, two small black rails are visible, aiding in stabilizing the boat during takeoff. Additional modifications, including a centrally mounted steering wheel and a single seat, were made to enhance the jump’s success.
The filming of this scene was not without its challenges. It took over 100 attempts to achieve the final shot, with numerous failures and boat destruction threatening to derail the sequence. The filmmakers enlisted the expertise of Tulane University to calculate speed and balance, ultimately enabling the successful execution of the stunt.
On October 16, 1972, after meticulous planning and calculations from the university, the breathtaking jump was finally realized. Remarkably, the first jump of the day was the only one filmed and used in the movie. Although the fiberglass windshield sustained minor damage during the jump, it was later repaired after being purchased by a collector many years later.
