Goldfinger-1964

Director Guy Hamilton

Starring Sean Connery, Gert Frobe

Top 100 Films #72

Scott’s Review #337

Reviewed January 9, 2016

Grade: A

By the time Goldfinger (1964) was released, the third in the James Bond franchise, the films were huge successes and the budget was not to be spared a dime.

The lavish sets are proof of this and Goldfinger is one of the best of all the Bond films- containing all of the necessary elements to make it successful- interesting villains, Bond girls, gadgets, and locales.

By 1964’s Goldfinger, Ian Fleming’s franchise had hit its stride and was achieving runaway success.

The intriguing premise immediately sets the tone- 007 is assigned to investigate a massive gold smuggling scheme. The conspirator is Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe), who hatches a plot to contaminate the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox.

His goal, naturally, is to control the world.!

The adventure takes Bond from the United Kingdom to Switzerland, and finally to the United States in  Kentucky and Florida.

The main Bond girl, a villain, is uniquely named, Pussy Galore. The film implies that the character is bisexual and she is tough. James Bond becomes intrigued by and smitten with her.

Goldfinger has the honor of containing one of the greatest Bond villains of all time- the title character of Goldfinger. Big and burly, he is menacing-looking and actor Frobe is perfectly cast.

We first meet the man, cheating at gin rummy, poolside at a lavish Miami Beach hotel, while Bond looks on from dozens of floors up, with the assistance of Goldfinger’s moll, Jill Masterson.

In one of the greatest scenes in Bond history, a knocked-out Bond awakens to find Jill dead- and completely covered in gold paint! The fact that this scene occurs early on sets up the Bond/Goldfinger rivalry in outstanding fashion.

Goldfinger’s henchman, Oddjob, is also a grand Bond villain- Asian, menacing, and wearing a trademark steel-rimmed hat, which he uses to kill his victims. Jill’s sister, Tilly, seeks revenge on Goldfinger only to find herself a victim of Oddjob’s infamous bowler hat as she flees for her life.

On the heels of an exceptional Bond film, 1962’s From Russia With Love, a stellar film with nary a flaw, Goldfinger excels slightly because it has all the right ingredients and was firing on all cylinders.

Everything flows with precision.

Unforgettable is the climax of Goldfinger at the legendary Fort Knox itself. Goldfinger’s private army, an atomic device, a countdown to destruction, and Oddjob, all make for a satisfying and riveting conclusion to one exceptional Bond entry.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Sound Effects (won)