"No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die!"
Appropriately enough the first of the series to have a really imaginative use of colour, Goldfinger is in many ways the most visually sensual of the films, the unforgettable image of Shirley Eaton's golden girl reflected in a golden glow to much of Ted Moore's cinematography. It's oozing with striking and surreal imagery, from Oddjob's menacing shadow on the hotel room wall, to the little old lady with machine gun or Bond making his entry by unzipping his wetsuit to reveal an evening one underneath. Ken Adam's production design is his possibly his finest hour, genuine architecture of the imagination that is at once both fantastic and strangely credible, maintaining a sense of scale and verisimilitude by his use of ceilings on the smaller sets.

It's also the one that set the Bond formula in stone, something that would later become more a hindrance than a help to the series before something more radical was attempted with Casino Royale. Aside from establishing the trend for irrelevant but enjoyable pretitle sequences, it is from here on that the gadgets begin to assume a more prominent role. However, unlike most of the Roger Moore efforts, they are no match for Bond's own wits - even the famed Aston Martin DB5 does not save him. After putting it through its paces, he is left to his own initiative.

There is no getting away from the overtly sexist approach here ("Dink, say goodbye to Felix - man talk."). Even Blackman's villainy seems inextricably linked to her lesbianism ("You can turn off the charm, I'm immune") but one good one from Bond and she's on the side of the angels.

As with all Bond films, many of the cast are dubbed - in this case, Frobe was dubbed by actor Michael Collins. Regardless, his Auric Goldfinger is easily the best of the Bond super-villains, and comes equipped with the best line in the series as Bond, strapped down in front of the laser beam (in the novel it was a chainsaw), asks if he expects him to talk: "No Mr Bond, I expect you to die." And for possibly the only time in the series, you think that maybe Bond really has had it. Incredibly enjoyable and one of the best-paced entries in the series, it's not hard to see why this is many people's favorite Bond film. It may be formulaic, but then the formula still worked wonders.

While all the extras from the previous release have been carried over, there are not as many new features as you might expect. Most interesting are Theodore Bikel and Tito Vandis' screen tests as Goldfinger, but there are also somewhat awkwardly presented archive interviews with Connery and Honor Blackman as well as a featurette about the Aston Martin DB5, though perhaps the most enjoyable remain the radio spots from the original release.



Quick Reviews!
This is the point where the Bond series really fired into action-terrific stunts, explosive action, good set pieces, memorable villains, car chases, gadgets, and feisty, strong willed women. Probably deserving of being called the best Bond movie, though it is not my favourite, as it has everything a Bond movie should have. It also stands beside other action films for its excitement levels, is full of one-liners and memorable images, and has a very good plot and strong performances from everyone.

Bond is investigating a gold smuggler, in a brief turn away from the full blown SPECTRE plots of previous films, and uncovers a plan to destroy the world's economy. Bond meets Auric Goldfinger, the man believed to be responsible, and soon is struggling to stop the plan and save the world.

Goldfinger has many famous moments which have become more than simply memorable movie scenes- The Jill Masterson 'turns to gold' scene, the 'Shocking' bath moment, the famous Aston Martin's ejector seat scene. The laser scene. Pussy Galore, as her name may suggest is Bond's 'girl' this time, and is easily the strongest female character to date in the series. We have Oddjob, a terrifying silent assassin who uses his steel rimmed bowler hat to dispatch of his enemies, one of the best bad guys in any Bond movie, and Goldfinger himself is the archetypal Bond Villain- smart but...dumb. The theme tune is one of the strongest, and the film made sure that Bond had a place in movie and cultural history.

The DVD has sparkling visuals restored for modern viewing, and the same can be said for the sound. The 2nd disc is full of interesting features which will satisfy all Bond fans- from the nerds to the passing enthusiasts.

Goldfinger - A Review
Another entry in what many fans call the Golden Era of Bond (Dr No to Thunderball) once again starring Sean Connery as a brilliant Bond. Many fans call this (Along with From Russia With Love) the best Bond of all-time. This Bond film has everything, beautiful girls, plenty of action, sport cars etc. and of coure, a dry vodka martini shaken not stirred. The plot is for Bond to go after Golfinger of Auric Enterprises where it is suspected he is stealing gold. Bond soon learns that he is planning to raid Fort Knox, not to rob it, but to give the gold radiation making it worthless so his gold is worth more. It has brilliant scenary in Switzerland and Miami and the only thing to moan at is the minor problem that it's a little un-realistic (Well... aren't all Bond's) so I'd say it's definately worth taking a look at.

Dull, brutish and long...
Oh, the disappointment. In my mind's eye, Goldfinger was a rattling good Bond movie, but in reality turns out after these many years to be a piece of cheap, tawdry rubbish. Watched it with my 12 year old daughter and was embarrassed in so many ways. Wooden, hammy, nasty, dull, sexist in a way that must have seemed faintly appalling even in 1964... in numbering its faults, it's hard to know where to stop. As for Connery - he seems to smirk his way through, actually doing very little other than drinking, smoking and assaulting passing women (there's a more than passing resemblance to Sid the Sexist in a tuxedo). Isn't this often the way in Bond movies though - it's never very clear to me what our masterspy is actually there for.

I always maintained that Connery was the one true Bond. I'm not so sure now - maybe Pierce Brosnan is more interesting, Daniel Craig certainly is, and Bourne exposes this once and for all for the dated piffle it certainly is.

Two stars for Honor Blackman, who despite being saddled with that 'Pussy Galore' tag (oh, my sides) somehow manages to emerge with dignity intact.


not the best, but a classic
i agree with some reviews that this is an overrated bond film. I do think its a very good film as it has everything a bond film requires, the gadgets, the girls, exotic locales, etc. the plot is interesting and if you're seeing the film for the first time, you will want to carry on watching, weather you're a bond fan or not. the ultimate edition for this film isn't a great package in terms of brand new features on the second disc. get this brand new 2 disc dvd, though if you already have the videos, it is worth it if you haven't got the special edition dvds.

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