Timothy Dalton, the British actor known for his portrayal of complex and intense characters, is best remembered for his role as James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989). His interpretation of Bond marked a return to a darker, more grounded version of the character, closer to Ian Fleming’s original vision.
His connection to Gibraltar is closely tied to The Living Daylights, whose opening sequence was filmed on the Rock between 29th September 1986 and 13th February 1987.
Gibraltar’s dramatic landscape and strategic setting made it an ideal location for the film’s high-impact opening. The sequence features Bond parachuting onto the Rock, followed by a fast-paced pursuit that established Dalton’s more serious and determined interpretation of the character. Reflecting on the role, Dalton noted that the script revealed “a Bond I’d never seen on the screen… a man of contradictions and opposites”, a direction that shaped his performance.
The use of Gibraltar in The Living Daylights reinforced the territory’s cinematic appeal, linking the Rock to one of the most recognisable film franchises and continuing its association with the world of James Bond.
Media:
Timothy Dalton filming 'The Living Daylights'.
Timothy Dalton visitor's book signature at The Rock Hotel.
007 James Bond: The Living Daylights (1987).