“I’m beginning to like you, Mr. Bond.”
Goldfinger (1964) set the gold standard for Bond films. This is truly a great film and a classic in so many respects. It also put Bond in the international market, greatly increased the character’s popularity, and paved the way for a multi-generational franchise. Yes, indeed, the world was beginning to like Mr. Bond.
The formula for Bond’s best films originated with this classic. The first scene is an action scene that does not play into the plot of the film. It’s like a quick check-in on Bond during a typical day of work. A well-timed explosion and electrocuting a would-be assassin may not be typical work for most, but our hero is a Double-O secret agent.
Then a wonderful characteristic of every succeeding Bond film is introduced; the weird opening credits with a big song from a big artist. The title song Goldfinger hits hard. The lyrics and tune slowly draw you in. The tension builds. The song ends entirely different from its melancholy beginning. A thunderous final cry from Shirley Bassey fills the audience with anticipation and nervousness as she identifies the villain’s sole motivation: “He loves only gold. He loves only gold. He. Loves. Goooooolllllllllldddddddd!” We’ll hear from Bassey twice more in this franchise, but nothing tops this first hit.
“Welcome to Miami Beach” greets viewers as Bond is there enjoying the sun when a note from M is delivered. Bond is to investigate a possible gold smuggler named Auric Goldfinger. We’ll see that he’s a charismatic villain, but our first impression may be sleazeball because he cheats at cards. Bond quickly moves in on Goldfinger’s arm candy, which results in the iconic scene of Bond discovering his beautiful new friend laying on the bed dead from gold paint covering her naked body. Suffocation is the cause of the death and the message is just as suffocating, but of course of hero won’t back down.
Q introduces Bond to his new tool, an Ashton Martin with special modifications, and in doing so Q also introduces a new mainstay to the Bond films. The car and Q’s role are notable additions. Moving forward, Bond’s gadgets become more unbelievable, and Q, played extremely well by Desmond Llewelyn, takes on an increasingly lighthearted, comic relief role while explaining to Bond the features of each invention. They are great scenes which Bond fans look forward to.
For sports fans this film includes a memorable golf match. Bond and Goldfinger meet at a golf course where Bond arranged to play with the title villain. Goldfinger accepts and further accepts Bond’s wager of a solid gold bar to the winner. High stakes require “strict rules” and so they play. Odd Job, a mute henchman with incredible strength and an Ironman-like hat, is Goldfinger’s caddie. Odd Job and Goldfinger cheat, Bond catches them and keeps it quiet and then cheats back. There’s no honor in this game. Bond wins, so Goldfinger threatens Bond with a demonstration of Odd Job’s hat and throwing skills, which decapitates a stone statue. Classic.
The Swiss Alps are a picturesque scene for viewers. Bond follows Goldfinger there to his factory. He ends up getting caught and tied to a table where a laser is turned on to cut our hero in half. Gruesome stuff. In one of the most iconic exchanges in film history, Bond asks Goldfinger, “Do you expect me to talk?” Goldfinger joyously responds with, “No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.” Of course, Bond talks his way out of this jam.
With our hero still in one piece, he is flown to Kentucky, horse racing country, where Goldfinger has a well-funded horse farm. At this point we are introduced to the most notorious name of all the Bond girls; Pussy Galore. Played very well by Honor Blackman, Pussy Galore is Goldfinger’s personal pilot and partner in an elaborate scheme yet to be revealed to the audience.
Bond discovers Goldfinger’s plan, which involves the gold reserves at Fort Knox, from a little eavesdropping, basic arithmetic and brilliant deduction. The way they talk to each other is very civil. Bond calmingly explains that he’s figured Goldfinger is lying about his plan, explains why, then thinks out loud for a bit, and then he’s got it. Goldfinger confirms and he’s impressed. He doesn’t tell the audience or the befuddled protagonist the unknown plan, instead he allows our hero to figure it out on his own and then Goldfinger graciously accepts, like a magician whose card trick has been revealed by an onlooker. And his plan is interesting and somewhat sophisticated, while the conversation is between two gentlemen. It’s well done.
One of Goldfinger’s associates has a pressing engagement, which offers a witty and deadly example of what happens when you upset Goldfinger. And also, Goldfinger kills all the organized crime figures from across the US who he had asked to join him, so it’s a little curious to think whether or not the US Justice Department would cut Goldfinger a deal, but that scenario doesn’t get to play out.
Bond then makes his most consequential score of his illustrious career. He and Pussy Galore have a roll in the hay, in a barn full of hay. And well, that’s all it takes for Pussy Galore to change sides. Bond doesn’t even know what’s happening at the end. It’s weird that our hero didn’t foil the plot; it was Pussy Galore. Her name in the film again is, oh, you got it by now.
This is the Bond film to watch. This is one that put Bond on the international map. The United States locations of Miami and famous Fort Knox certainly made the film more attractive to American audiences. A dead naked girl painted in gold is something you don’t see every day and that image was on the movie poster. Goldfinger is a great film. It set the new formula and we will see that same formula in the next Bond film, Thunderball.