Goldfinger

Shirley Bassey’s opening theme song. That shot of Shirley Eaton covered in gold paint. “No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die!”. These elements I’ve mentioned - and more - result in Goldfinger being not only the most iconic film in the James Bond franchise, but perhaps one of the most iconic films ever made. Released in 1964, Goldfinger is Sean Connery’s third film as 007, and while those before - Dr. No and From Russia With Love - succeed, Goldfinger is where James Bond crystallises into the franchise that has stood the test of over sixty years. Following Bond as he attempts to thwart the schemes of the – conveniently named – gold fanatic Auric Goldfinger, Goldfinger is tightly directed by Guy Hamilton and features a balanced blend of humour and threat in its screenplay by Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn. Indeed, perhaps one of the most satisfying elements of Goldfinger is that, while future Bond plots can become rather convoluted (I’m looking at you, The Living Daylights), Goldfinger’s narrative is blissfully simple and yet retains an amusing level of creativity and absurdity. Of course, certain historical considerations do need to be made when watching earlier Bond installments (although, how the name ‘Pussy Galore’ was ever considered appropriate, I do not know), yet if these can be at least partially ignored, Goldfinger is a thrilling outing for Connery’s Bond and a defining work in both the franchise and in cinema generally.

Sam Ripley

Sean Connery is back, with eyebrow cocked, gun loaded, and gadgets ready for another action-packed adventure. Goldfinger sees Bond face-off against ruthless gold-dealer Auric Goldfinger (Fröbe), and the fight is soon on to save the world-economy from collapse. We first see the infamous Auric as an over-rich card cheat, but the stakes soon become higher, and when the tycoons are fighting with guns and not with stocks, finance can be deadly.

Believed by many to be the finest Bond film ever made, Goldfinger truly cemented the Bond film-genre as a movie phenomenon, not just another series of spy flicks. Sean Connery’s Bond is the quintessential man of style; his slick one-liners and put-downs are the height of cool. On top form from the opening bomb blast till the classic closing scenes, Connery shows why his Bond is seen as definitive by so many.

Goldfinger is also the film featuring the famed laser-scene which has achieved iconic status, along with Honor Blackman’s classic turn as bond-girl Pussy Galore. It is the first film in director Guy Hamilton’s Bond portfolio, which also includes such classics as Diamonds are Forever and Live and Let Die.

Goldfinger is based on an original Ian Fleming novel, written in 1959 and, like Casino Royale, this sets the scene for a film which is more about plot, drama and suspense than about the explosions and effects. Perhaps this explains why this film, now 43 years old, has stood the test of time so well. Especially when the bad-guys are as originally conceived as Oddjob and his deadly bowler…

With even the wardrobe department out to get him, can Bond really win the day and get the girl?

In the words of the great man himself, “Shocking”.

Rachael Marshall