- "We must not leave without my cello!"
- ― Kara Milovy to James Bond
Kara Milovy is a cellist, the girlfriend of rogue Soviet General Georgi Koskov, and later James Bond's love interest. The character is featured in the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights and is portrayed by British actress and former model Maryam d'Abo.
Biography[]
The Living Daylights (film)[]
- "Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals. That girl didn't know one end of a rifle from the other. Go ahead. Tell M what you want. If he fires me, I'll thank him for it... Whoever she was, I must have scared the living daylights out of her."
- ― James Bond to Saunders

Milovy aiming her rifle at Georgi Koskov
Kara Milovy first appears in the film when James Bond meets his colleague Saunders, head of section V, in Vienna. The MI6 has been informed that General Georgi Koskov is willing to defect from the Soviet Union. As Koskov runs across the road in order to meet the Britsh team, 007, acting as overwatch, spots a sniper: Milovy, who was armed with a Winchester Model 70 which had been loaded with blank shots. Defying his orders to kill her, Bond shoots the rifle out of her hands, only marginally injuring her. The exchange with Saunders prompts the line for which the film is named, "I must have scared the living daylights out of her."

Milovy escapes the KGB with James Bond
Convinced that Milovy is more of a victim than a proper assassin, Bond helps her escape from the KGB in Bratislava. Gaining her trust by claiming to be sent by Koskov - her boyfriend - Bond then takes her to Austria. When Bond's Aston Martin is destroyed during the escape, the two of them resort to sledding through the Austrian border in Milovy's cello case. Eventually, Kara contacts Koskov directly, who leads her to believe that Bond is actually a KGB agent using her to find and kill him. On Koskov's instructions, she drugs Bond in order to allow his capture, but she soon realizes that Koskov has been deceiving her and switches back to Bond's side.

Milovy and James Bond in Afghanistan
Milovy and Bond are taken to a Soviet airbase in Afghanistan, which is at the time occupied by the Soviet Union. After breaking out and freeing a man named Kamran Shah, they discover he is a Mujahideen leader. Kara convinces Shah to help Bond by attacking the Soviet base. In the ensuing fight, Bond manages to hijack a C-130 cargo plane - which is carrying drugs. Kara flies the plane while 007 battles the assassin Necros at the back. The film ends with Milovy's world tour. As a prize for her bravery, she's given a special visa by General Gogol which allows her to play around the world. At first she is disappointed that James did not attend but, much to her surprise, she discovers him in her dressing room later.
Personality[]
An attractive but sometimes naive young woman, Kara Milovy has no idea of the treacherous nature and intentions of General Georgi Koskov; a man she seems to hold in high regard and who is also her mentor. Despite this, she can also be fearless and brave, as she was willing to help James Bond after learning how dangerous Koskov can be. Although, she does not know how to use a weapon, she doesn't hesitate to jump into action and risk her life after learning about Koskov's true intention and in order to put an end to his actions. Furthermore, her passion for classical music and her goal to travel the world make Milovy an ambitious and talented person despite her initial lack of confidence. She is also a resourceful person, and her abilities go far beyond mastering the cello.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Maryam d'Abo, a former model, was cast as the Czechoslovakian cellist Kara Milovy. In 1984, d'Abo had attended auditions for the role of Pola Ivanova in A View to a Kill. She was included in Milovy's adition by producer Barbara Broccoli.[1]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Kara Milovy was the last "main" Bond Girl to be blonde until Madeleine Swann in Spectre, almost 30 years later.
- Milovy's novel counterpart is the main antagonist, while in the film she's the main Bond girl. In the first act, she was an antagonist and the villain's girlfriend, making her a Deuteragonist in the overall plot.
See Also[]
References[]
- ↑ The Living Daylights. MI6-HQ.com. Retrieved on 11 October 2007.