Goldfinger

Back when Goldfinger was released, the success of the previous Bond movies - Dr. No and From Russia with Love - generated enough pre-release hype. The director, Guy Hamilton, was different from the previous director (Terence Young). Did his direction match up to Young? Yes! Because Goldfinger introduced several elements into the franchise that weren’t earlier there (cheeky humour, multiple foreign locales, a pre-credit sequence that might not always relate to the rest of plot) whilst continuing what the previous instalments started (gadgets saving the day, larger-than-life villain, Bond rewarded with romance after saving the day). 

Gentleman secret agent James Bond (Sean Connery) is assigned with following multi-millionaire businessman Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) on suspicion of him smuggling gold. This mission takes him from Miami to Switzerland, from Jill Masterson to Pussy Galore (yes you heard right!). During the mission, it's never clear what Goldfinger's aims are nor why he is so obsessed with gold. Now it’s up to Bond to lift the lid on Goldfinger’s plans and stop him before he becomes a threat to Queen and Country. 

Before he gets to meets Auric Goldfinger face to face, Bond knocks a girl unconscious, kisses one and gets one murdered. At one point, you have to ask yourself a question - are women safe around him?

The Aston Martin DB5 owes its cult status to this movie and the special effects expert John Stears, who turned this luxury grand tourer into a faster, sleeker, comfortable version of an army tank. The DB5 scenes are enough to make anyone’s eyes melt. The chase sequence in Goldfinger’s factory was highly enjoyable because the car’s secret weapons come to the forefront. The chase involves oil, smoke, water, an old lady firing an assault rifle - it’s all delightful chaos. Those wondering when the ejector seat will come in handy, believe me it’s a well scripted move. The culmination, however, broke my heart what with Bond being captured and the DB5 battered to smithereens.

Plot wise, the first half of the movie is all about the audience familiarising with Auric Goldfinger, since we learnt enough about Bond in the previous movies. If Goldfinger leaves you on a table with a laser coming to cut you in half, don’t expect sympathy from him. If a character betrays him, their death will become a cinematic moment to remember (gold paint). He’s one of the richest villains in the country (and cinematic history), owning a factory, golf-club, stud-farm, expensive cars and the most loyal henchman you can ask for. Every facility he owns makes for an enjoyable action playground.     

The climax is every action movie buff’s dream for its explosions, gunfights and a face-off between Bond and the indestructible henchman Oddjob. Had Bond been shown as a Schwarzenegger-type-indestructible beefcake, the impact of this fight would have suffered. I’m glad they showed Oddjob physically superior to Bond because it created an enjoyable fight scene and the culmination of this fight makes me love how the "final kill" weapons are coincidentally placed in front of Bond.

The second half of the movie had a certain Hitchcock-feel as it reminded me of North by Northwest what with the hero being just as clueless as the audience. Goldfinger’s plan isn’t revealed all at once. We receive slight hints and most of these are only noticeable in the second viewing. The viewer doesn't know how Goldfinger will steal all the gold from Fort Knox. Neither does the viewer know an alternative to Goldfinger's plan, if not stealing gold. I applaud the writing for not handing the entire masterplan at the start because it creates suspense and curiosity. It also helps develop the main characters in terms of Bond's helplessness and improvisation, and Goldfinger's intelligence and threatening presence. 

Sean Connery was always the best Bond for me and this movie proves why. Towards the second half, he effectively brings out Bond’s helplessness without making him like a coward or an unintelligible fool. He’s convincing in the action scenes and his self-deprecating humour always lightens the proceedings. When Gert Fröbe was called in to play Goldfinger, he spoke little English and whatever English he spoke it was very slow. So the producers redubbed his voice, leaving his acting limited to facial expressions and body language. Might I say, he does a marvellous job! His expressions during the above mentioned laser scene were fantastic. He creates a great sense of danger through his performance which is the greatest mark for an actor who couldn’t English very well.

Honor Blackman’s character Pussy Galore only comes into prominence in the second half of the movie. Plot wise, she is one of the pillars in taking down Goldfinger’s operation and the fact she doesn’t give into his charms gives Bond something to think about. She brings out the "playing-hard-to-get" coldness and her judo skills aren’t to be missed! Unlike other Bond girls who were used as sex dolls, her arc serves necessary material for the plot. Harold Sakata doesn’t get much speaking lines as Goldfinger’s mute henchman Oddjob. His role is mainly limited to carrying Goldfinger’s bags though he bags the spotlight in the climax when Bond needs to stop a ticking bomb and Oddjob is the only obstacle in his way. I liked his facial expressions especially his smiles when Bond’s punches prove ineffective on him.

You must have heard this film being praised or mentioned at some point in your life. Any list made on the top five Bond films and you can always bet Goldfinger will be on that list. The film is worthy of all the praise it deserves for its sheer spectacle, escapism, action and excellent performances extracted from Connery and Fröbe. Folks, this is one to remember for the record books.