Goldfinger (1964)

[zen007]

The iconic 007 film that set the template for future Bond films! It was released in 1964 so we are celebrating its 60th anniversary this year!

To recap some of its iconic moments:

* A mini-movie like pre-title sequence. Bond completes a mission, then heads on to the next.
* The famous title song by Bond regular Shirley Bassey.
* Intro to the Q-department/branch and the Aston Martin.
* The lady in “gold”.
* The Swiss segment is probably the best in the Bond franchise.
* Goldfinger & Oddjob, the memorable villains.

It is in its 60th year, how do you rate the film now?

[david_blu]

Originally Posted by zen007

The iconic 007 film that set the template for future Bond films! It was released in 1964 so we are celebrating its 60th anniversary this year!

To recap some of its iconic moments:

* A mini-movie like pre-title sequence. Bond completes a mission, then heads on to the next.
* The famous title song by Bond regular Shirley Bassey.
* Intro to the Q-department/branch and the Aston Martin.
* The lady in “gold”.
* The Swiss segment is probably the best in the Bond franchise.
* Goldfinger & Oddjob, the memorable villains.

It is in its 60th year, how do you rate the film now?

I'm sorry I don't have Amazon, can someone put this classic film on 4k disc so I can review it?

[Winslow Leach]

One of the greatest of all Bond films.

[zen007]

Originally Posted by david_blu

I'm sorry I don't have Amazon, can someone put this classic film on 4k disc so I can review it?

Goldfinger is available on Blu-ray, which is similar to 4K SDR transfers available on streaming channels.

But I agree that this one needs to be made available on a 4k disc as well (with probably a new restoration done with “today’s” tech).

[DR Herbert West]

In the top 10.

[spaceball-one]

The Bond by which all Bonds are measured.

[Socko]

My favourite Bond. Everything just works perfectly.
Great henchman, great villain and ***** Galore.
I still own the Oddjob (fake) golden watch from Swatch

[BerC]

Second favorite Bond film after "From Russia with Love." "Goldfinger" had some great action, some witty banter, one of the most iconic of the Bond women, and the best score of the 1960s Bond films.

[traths]

Among the top 10 Bond films.

[Damon1281]

I'm not sure it would be my number 1 Bond film, but much better than top 10. It's at least in the top 3. Its only real competition is From Russia With Love.

I voted the best Bond film. Top 10 is just inadequate and the other choices are silly.

[Cruel Angel]

Top 10 007 for me.

Even though I am not a Sean fan and likely rank it lower than most would, it's a classic.

[whiteberry]

It's in my top 5 Bond movies. How can you not love a movie that has an old lady unloading a submachine gun on Bond:

Goldfinger (1964) - Aston Martin DB5 - YouTube

And has Bond injuring his arm after slapping the butt of Dink

Man Talk - Goldfinger - YouTube

The score by John Barry is fantastic. We all know what famous song sampled "Golden Girl" from the soundtrack. If you need a hint, go to 1:05 in the following YouTube video:

Goldfinger Golden Girl - YouTube

[jamesfloodiii]

Originally Posted by The score by John Barry is fantastic. We all know what famous song sampled "Golden Girl" from the soundtrack. If you need a hint, go to 1:05 in the following YouTube video:
[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfW9xw6yJ0"

Goldfinger Golden Girl - YouTube[/url]

Which famous song do you have in mind?

[zen007]

Originally Posted by jamesfloodiii

Which famous song do you have in mind?

6 Underground used in the Saint.

[jamesfloodiii]

Originally Posted by zen007

6 Underground used in the Saint.

I thought that's what you were getting at but wouldn't have thought it famous. Good track.

I looked up "Golden Girl" on Whosampled and got two results:
https://www.whosampled.com/John-Barry/Golden-Girl/

[sultanofcinema]

I was there from the beginning, seeing them all in order as they came out on the best screens possible and many times on re-releases as well as screenings of personal 16 and 35 mm prints. I'm only going to take this thread to Diamonds (1971) as we would be here forever.
Dr. No is the first. From Russia With Love is the BEST, Goldfinger is the Classic, Thunderball is the biggest, You Only Live Twice is the fastest, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the second best and best produced James Bond film EVER made and Diamonds Are Forever was the beginning of the end.

[zen007]

I went w/ “Among the top 20 films of all-time” option. I think that top Bond films are right up there with the best films especially when you add “entertainment” to the equation. For e.g. Beau Travail (1998) is at #7 (or the 14-minutes Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) at #16) on S&S 2022 Critics’ Poll. Not many would complain if it is replaced by Goldfinger!

Among Bond films, Goldfinger has a better chance of making it to the top 20 because of its iconic status. A Spy Who Loved Me may be an equally good film but it lacks that iconic image/status relatively speaking. Maybe a similar case for From Russia with Love as well when compared to Goldfinger. From Russia with Love is relatively Hitchcockian and feels like a period Bond film, capturing the Bond’s novels era nicely, but maybe it is not as “iconic” as Goldfinger. Maybe there is even some marketing in play for Goldfinger, which was probably the first classic Bond film get a 4k rerelease in cinemas.

In short, while top Bond films are similar in quality (Among top tier films, rankings are not necessarily reflective of the quality difference but showcase how films connect with an individual), and compete with the best in business, Goldfinger has a better chance of making it to the top 20-30 films as it can leverage on its iconic status.

[morris_schaffer]

It's always been one of my fave movies. Grew up with Bond. These older Bonds age like fine wine. And back then, you felt they were still somewhat espionage with action instead of the other way around. Love the fact they actually filmed on location in Switzerland (Furka Pass). You can't fake that.

Incidentally, the legendary Shirley Bassey was in the crowds at Wimbledon last week. And although many others, including an actual Bond, were too, it's her appearance that was truly memorable.

[CinemaScope]

Or...it's not so good!

It starts off with Bond keeping an eye on Goldfinger, & interfering with his poker game (for no good reason) & getting poor old Shirley Eton killed. He then gets sent on a mission to investigate Goldfinger, he meets up with a woman who wants to kill Goldfinger, she gets killed, Bond gets captured, & stays captured for the rest of the film. What thwarts Goldfinger's plan, is not Bond, but ***** Galore (Alotta Fagina) changing sides...& Bond can't even switich off the atom bomb at the end.

It also contains the crazy scene where Goldfinger explains his plans to all his backers...& then kills them all! One of the backers doesn't want any part of it & is allowed to leave, but instead of just shooting him when he leaves the building, they fill the boot of the car with gold, drive to a breakers yard, shoot him, & then crush the car with him & the gold in it...for no reason whatsoever!! All complete bonkers.

Saying all that, I loved it at the time (along with everyone else), & it has some great things, John Barry's burnished score, a great heavy in Oddjob, & lots of great scenes.

...& it's 2000 times better that that other bonkers plot Bond...Skyfall.

[zen007]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

Or...it's not so good!

It starts off with Bond keeping an eye on Goldfinger, & interfering with his poker game (for no good reason) & getting poor old Shirley Eton killed. He then gets sent on a mission to investigate Goldfinger, he meets up with a woman who wants to kill Goldfinger, she gets killed, Bond gets captured, & stays captured for the rest of the film. What thwarts Goldfinger's plan, is not Bond, but ***** Galore (Alotta Fagina) changing sides...& Bond can't even switich off the atom bomb at the end.

When Bond’s plan to send the “note” to CIA fails, he makes a last desperate effort to save 1,000s of lives by seducing Galore to bring her on his side. That works! Galore not only informs the authorities but also switches the canister (presumably under the direction of the CIA). I think this part was nicely written.

It also contains the crazy scene where Goldfinger explains his plans to all his backers...& then kills them all! One of the backers doesn't want any part of it & is allowed to leave, but instead of just shooting him when he leaves the building, they fill the boot of the car with gold, drive to a breakers yard, shoot him, & then crush the car with him & the gold in it...for no reason whatsoever!! All complete bonkers.

If GF simply would have had him shot then it would not be a Bond film. Bond villains don’t just shoot, they fill a pool with sharks, have piranas, let loose snakes, have an alligator/crocodile park, use laser, etc. to kill or try to kill people!