When Roger Moore stepped onto the screen as James Bond in 1973, he wasn't alone. Beside him stood a 22-year-old actress with hair down to her waist and eyes that seemed to see right through the celluloid. Jane Seymour in Live and Let Die wasn't just another name on a casting sheet; she was Solitaire, a virgin tarot reader whose psychic powers were as fragile as they were formidable. People talk about the theme song by Paul McCartney or the boat chase through the Louisiana bayous, but honestly? It’s Seymour’s ethereal, almost haunting presence that anchors the movie's weird, supernatural pivot.
It was a strange time for the franchise. Sean Connery had left a massive hole, and the producers were pivoting toward the Blaxploitation trend of the early 70s. Into this mix of voodoo, heroin smuggling, and double agents stepped Jane Seymour.
She almost didn't get the part. Producers were originally looking for a Black actress to play Solitaire—names like Diana Ross were floated—to better fit the Harlem and Caribbean setting. However, United Artists pushed for a more "traditional" look, and after seeing Seymour in the British television series The Onedin Line, they knew they had found their high priestess.
The Virginity Plot Point That Hasn't Aged Well
Looking back, the central conflict for Solitaire is... uncomfortable. Her entire value to the villain, Dr. Kananga, rests on her being a virgin. The moment she loses her "purity," she loses her ability to read the cards. It’s a trope that feels incredibly dated now, but in 1973, it was the driving force of the drama. Bond essentially tricks her into bed using a stacked deck of tarot cards—all Lovers—which, let’s be real, would be a major red flag today.
Jane Seymour played it with a mix of resignation and burgeoning desire. She wasn't just a damsel; she was a woman trapped by a gift she didn't necessarily want. When she finally gives in to Bond, there’s this palpable sense of relief mixed with terror. She knows her life as a protected seer is over. She's human now.
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Life on a 1970s Bond Set
Production wasn't exactly a vacation. Filming took place in Jamaica, New Orleans, and New York. While the on-screen chemistry between Moore and Seymour was charming, the actual conditions were often grueling. Seymour has frequently recounted stories of the intense heat and the constant presence of crocodiles.
Did you know she actually got dysentery while filming in Jamaica? It wasn't all glamour and martinis. She was incredibly ill, yet she had to maintain that poise and "mystical" glow for the cameras. Roger Moore, ever the gentleman, was known for his lightheartedness on set, which Seymour credited with helping her get through the more physically demanding days. He was 45 at the time, significantly older than her, but he played the role with a protective, wink-and-a-nod energy that made the age gap feel less predatory than it might have under Connery.
Why Solitaire Broke the "Bond Girl" Mold
Before Jane Seymour in Live and Let Die, Bond girls were often divided into two camps: the dangerous femme fatale or the helpless tag-along. Solitaire was different. She had an inner life. She had a career—albeit a magical one—and a set of stakes that didn't just revolve around 007.
- The Look: Her wardrobe was iconic. We’re talking intricate headdresses, flowing robes, and that incredible 70s makeup that emphasized her wide, soulful eyes.
- The Power: Even though the movie eventually strips her of her psychic abilities, for the first half, she is the most powerful person in the room. Even Kananga fears what the cards might tell her.
- The Transition: Seymour used this role as a massive springboard. Unlike some Bond girls who vanished into obscurity, she leveraged this into a decades-long career, eventually becoming "the Queen of the Miniseries" and, of course, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
It’s easy to dismiss early Moore-era Bond films as campy. They are. But Seymour brought a level of sincerity to the role of Solitaire that grounded the movie. When she looks at the cards and sees "Death," you actually believe she’s seeing a premonition, not just reading a script.
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The Wardrobe and the 70s Aesthetic
The costume design by Maria Cooper (daughter of Gary Cooper) was a masterpiece of "occult chic." Every outfit Seymour wore was designed to make her look like she was from another world entirely. The contrast between her ornate, stiff ceremonial outfits and the breezy, casual clothes she wears once she’s on the run with Bond tells the story of her liberation better than the dialogue ever could.
Interestingly, Seymour’s hair was a major talking point. It was so long that it often got caught in things on set. It became a visual shorthand for her character’s "untouched" status. In the 70s, long, natural hair was the ultimate symbol of femininity, and Seymour was the poster child for it.
The Tarot of the Witches
We have to talk about the cards. The "Tarot of the Witches" deck used in the film was specifically commissioned from artist Fergus Hall. It’s surreal, creepy, and beautiful. After the movie came out, sales for that specific deck skyrocketed. It’s one of the few times a Bond movie prop has had a direct, lasting impact on a niche subculture like tarot reading.
Seymour had to learn how to handle the cards convincingly. If she looked like she didn't know how to shuffle, the whole illusion of her being a lifelong practitioner would have crumbled. She spent hours practicing the "spread" to ensure she looked like a pro.
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The Legacy of Jane Seymour in Live and Let Die
When you rank Bond girls, Solitaire is almost always in the top ten. Why? Because she wasn't just there to be rescued. She was the catalyst for the entire plot. Without her cards, Bond would have been flying blind.
Her performance also signaled a shift in what a Bond lead could be. She proved that you could be soft, mystical, and quiet, yet still command the screen alongside a powerhouse like Roger Moore. It’s a performance defined by its silences as much as its words.
If you’re revisiting the film today, watch the scene where she reads the cards for the first time in Kananga’s lair. Watch her eyes. She’s doing a lot of heavy lifting with very little movement. That’s the mark of an actor who knows exactly who their character is.
Essential Facts for the Bond Superfan
If you're looking to win your next trivia night, keep these details in mind.
- The Casting Twist: Seymour was actually the first person cast in the movie, even before Roger Moore was officially signed on as Bond.
- The Snake Incident: During the voodoo ceremony scenes, the snakes were very real. Seymour has admitted she was terrified of them, which added a genuine layer of tension to her performance.
- The Voice: In some of the early scenes, Seymour's voice was actually looped in post-production to ensure she sounded "ethereal" enough, though most of the film features her natural, crisp British accent.
- The Stunt Double: For the more intense action sequences, especially the ones involving the boat chase, Seymour had a double, but she insisted on doing as many of the "running through the jungle" bits as possible herself.
Actionable Steps for Exploring the Solitaire Legacy
If this deep dive has sparked a newfound interest in 1970s Bond or Jane Seymour’s early career, here is how you can engage further:
- Watch the "Special Edition" Commentary: Seek out the DVD or Blu-ray version of Live and Let Die that features Jane Seymour’s commentary track. She provides incredible insight into the daily grind of the shoot and her relationship with Roger Moore.
- Track Down the Fergus Hall Tarot: You can still find reprints of the "Tarot of the Witches" deck online. It’s a fascinating piece of cinema history that you can actually own and use.
- Compare the Book to the Film: Ian Fleming’s original novel Live and Let Die presents a very different version of Solitaire. Reading the book provides a stark look at how the producers "softened" her character for the screen and how Seymour’s performance added layers that weren't necessarily on the page.
- Explore the Moore Transition: Watch Diamonds Are Forever (Connery’s last) and then Live and Let Die back-to-back. Notice the shift in tone and how Seymour’s presence helps bridge the gap between the gritty 60s and the more adventurous, campy 70s.
Jane Seymour’s turn as Solitaire remains a high-water mark for the franchise. It’s a blend of 70s style, supernatural intrigue, and genuine star power that hasn't lost its luster. Whether you're a die-hard Bond fan or just someone who appreciates a great performance, her work in this film is worth a second—or third—look. It’s not just a "Bond Girl" role; it’s the moment a legend was born.