188 - Goldfinger (1964)

DVD Box

Bond is back to investigate a potentially illegal gold trade.

Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) has had an obsession with gold since he was young and this has led him to acquire a vast fortune in the precious metal. His latest plan is to increase the value of his own stock.

Bond (Sean Connery) must thwart Goldfinger's plan while dodging Goldfinger's Korean chauffeur, Oddjob (Harold Sakata), and his personal pilot Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman).

Theatrical Poster
Source: Wikipedia

Having now watched the first three James Bond films, I was going to make a sub-challenge to watch all the James Bond films ready for Skyfall in October. However, with You Only Live Twice being on the list, I will have to avoid reviewing one! Nevertheless, Goldfinger is on the list, and is described by Empire as the "quintessential Bond". So, just how does it stack up?

Undoubtedly, Blofeld (and perhaps Jaws) aside, Goldfinger contains the most iconic (and parodied) of all Bond villains. While Auric Goldfinger is relatively unheard of, his Korean butler Oddjob has become renowned for his hardened frame and steel-rimmed hat. On the subject of villains, Goldfinger is certainly up there though, with one of the most daring and dastardly plans to be seen in Bond (albeit slightly farcical).

Desmond Llewelyn makes his second (of 17!) appearances as Q, Bond's gadget master. The gadgets are limited to a simple magnetic tracker, but the rise of the famous Bond car began with his Aston Martin DB5 - completely laced with everything Bond needs throughout the film.

Of course, Bond wouldn't be Bond without the ladies - and who better than one covered from head to toe in gold paint. Aureate girl aside, and there is the small matter of the slightly macho private pilot - and one of the least subtlety named Bond characters - Pussy Galore. Need I say more?

Slightly farcical, utterly ridiculous and totally Bond.

• Empire Review
• Internet Movie Database
• Wikipedia