Why is Goldfinger considered the best?

raptors_887 · February 2013

I'm trying to figure out how this whole thing started. I hear people say its the best Bond movie ever and I hear other people say its one of the best movies OF ALL TIME. Personally I don't even think its the best out of the Connery films. How did Goldfinger turn into such a classic? Was it because of that one scene with the laser? I just dont see where all the hype comes from.

BunsenPPK · February 2013

Well, it was the first commercially and socially (I guess) successful Bond film (in comparison to Dr. No and FRWL), so I assume that's one reason why so many people like it. As well as that the villain, Bond girl(s) and plot were very good.
In my opinion it is one of the better films, no bias towards Connery, I like most of the Bond actors. Seeing as I just finished the novel of Goldfinger, which I enjoyed immensely; I may have to re-watch it, for the umpteenth time

)

LoGabrielle · February 2013

I'm not quite sure but I think Goldfinger was when it all came together. There was something missing from DN and FRWL and with GF they got it right. Anyone I ever talk to who likes the movies but isn't a die hard fan always says GF is the best by a long shot. It could be the iconic scene with the laser and the whole: 'You expect me to talk?' 'No Mr.Bond, I expect you to die.' Pussy Galore could have something to do with it too. For me, it's a great film to watch but it's not my absolute favourite of the franchise.

Paul 1300 · February 2013

If you think of one film that epitomizes James Bond, one that has all the classic lines, cliche's, moments, and Iconic signatures then Goldfinger is the one,
1. Classic PTS
2. Big Brassy signature tune that is arguably the best ( nobody does it better is my favourite)
3. The introduction of the DB5
4. Throwing his hat on the Hat stand in Moneypenny's office ( I miss that )
5. Classic Villain in Auric Goldfinger
6. Classic Henchman in Oddjob
7. The girl who died by being painted gold
8. Pussy Galore ( the name alone is classic Bond)
9. The Laser scene
10. The evil cunning plan
11. Gadgets ( mainly on the DB5)
12. Innovative thinking to get out of tight and tense situations

okay it has its faults, there is no stand out Bond girl, no disrespects to Honor Blackman but I would not class her as a beauty, but I can't think of any other film that has all that

TSWLM would come close and CR06 is a much better film but does not have the same amount of Iconic moments, Goldeneye is also close as it has lots of grand set pieces, Tank chase, PTS etc Perhaps in the last 48 years it has been overhyped

Napoleon Plural · February 2013

In budget terms, it was one of the first movies every to get a coast to coast release in the US. So, an instant smash hit.

Also a great watch on telly, in the tradition of family viewing like The Sound of Music and The Great Escape, it just feels great, a happy uplifting movie. Lots of witty one-liners sweeten the dish too.

And then you have the fact that other films later might be a bit off, too silly or lacklustre or something.

Nick37 · February 2013

It's definitely one of the Bond films that has everything right. The villain is memorable. The henchman is memorable. The main 'Bond girl' is a bit of a hardass, Connery's comfortable in the role, It's definitely one I'd show to someone who'd never seena Bond film before.

It's not my favorite of the Connery's, however. Probably his best, But I definitely like Dr. No, FRWL, and TB better.

Blackleiter · February 2013

I am definitely in the camp that thinks Goldfinger is the best, and you have identified most of the elements that make it so. The biggest pluses for me are that Connery seems supremely comfortable in the role, the memorable villain and henchman, the nice touches of humor, and basically the fact that it all comes together so well. Perhaps not without flaws, but still the overall best of the series for me.

Paul 1300 wrote:

If you think of one film that epitomizes James Bond, one that has all the classic lines, cliche's, moments, and Iconic signatures then Goldfinger is the one,
1. Classic PTS
2. Big Brassy signature tune that is arguably the best ( nobody does it better is my favourite)
3. The introduction of the DB5
4. Throwing his hat on the Hat stand in Moneypenny's office ( I miss that )
5. Classic Villain in Auric Goldfinger
6. Classic Henchman in Oddjob
7. The girl who died by being painted gold
8. Pussy Galore ( the name alone is classic Bond)
9. The Laser scene
10. The evil cunning plan
11. Gadgets ( mainly on the DB5)
12. Innovative thinking to get out of tight and tense situations

okay it has its faults, there is no stand out Bond girl, no disrespects to Honor Blackman but I would not class her as a beauty, but I can't think of any other film that has all that

TSWLM would come close and CR06 is a much better film but does not have the same amount of Iconic moments, Goldeneye is also close as it has lots of grand set pieces, Tank chase, PTS etc Perhaps in the last 48 years it has been overhyped

Napoleon Plural · February 2013

Here's one for Blackleiter.

Updated Goldfinger trailer

First minute is best.

raptors_887 · February 2013

I saw this movie again last night and its actually better the 2nd time around. I was in such disbelief at how poorly done that scene was where the army guys collapse from the knockout gas. The 2nd time I was expecting it though so I had a chance to prepare myself.

always shaken · February 2013

Every time i read agents reviews on Gold finger
no one ever mentions the old lady with the Erma MP40
machine gun Classic, i always laugh because i think of my nan
with a machine gun LOL

Thunderpussy · February 2013

I always thought the Old lady with the Machine gun
was a nod to Hitchcock

Blackleiter · February 2013

Nicely done! Thanks Nap! -{

Napoleon Plural wrote:

Here's one for Blackleiter.

Updated Goldfinger trailer

First minute is best.

Lazenbyfan · February 2013

Paul 1300 nailed it.

I consider it to be the quintessential Bond, but not necessarily the best.

It does seem to be the measuring stick all others are compared to.

Charmed & Dangerous · February 2013

It's widely considered as the 'blueprint' - the first time that the essential ingredients which define the rest of the series was really nailed.

Paul 1300 hits the nail on the head (only omitting to mention the first classic Q scene).

Best performance by Connery too.

Silhouette Man · February 2013

Yes, it set the blueprint for much of what followed - though I don't rate it as highly as most James Bond fans as this was where the rot began to set in from a Flemingesque point of view at least.

chrisisall · June 2014

Crikey! I've just had an apostrophe!
After all these years, I have to hand it to Blackleiter, I guess Goldfinger IS the best Bond of all time, now & forever!
NO other Bond has had:
a more clever script that stayed as faithful to Fleming whilst tweaking JUST ENOUGH to actually make it BETTER than the source material.
a more perfect balance of outrageous & realistic.
a better henchman.
a better score.
a cooler laser (it's ALL about the lasers).

I have unfairly dissed this film in times past, no more. My favourite is still TLD, and my favourite Connery is still TB, but objectively speaking there's a reason why this is considered a classic.
Lightning in a bottle.

Firemass · June 2014

chrisisall wrote:

stayed as faithful to Fleming whilst tweaking JUST ENOUGH to actually make it BETTER than the source material.

+1 The novel is by far my favorite that I've read so far. And the movie makes the best use of it AND SOME.

It's pretty obvious to me that Goldfinger is THE Bond film. It has everything. Connery, Fleming, Oddjob, Q, The DB5, Theme Song, Pussy Galore, etc etc and everything that others have mentioned in this thread. The only other Bond film this quintessential is TSWLM but it lacks the strong Fleming element.

Peppermill · June 2014

One thing I miss in the lists of why Goldfinger is the best is the set design by Ken Adam.

AlphaOmegaSin · June 2014

1+ -{

Thunderpussy · June 2014

It's just a great film. {[] . Music, script, sets, acting it's ALL good ! {[]

Blackleiter · June 2014

chrisisall wrote:

Crikey! I've just had an apostrophe!
After all these years, I have to hand it to Blackleiter, I guess Goldfinger IS the best Bond of all time, now & forever!
NO other Bond has had:
a more clever script that stayed as faithful to Fleming whilst tweaking JUST ENOUGH to actually make it BETTER than the source material.
a more perfect balance of outrageous & realistic.
a better henchman.
a better score.
a cooler laser (it's ALL about the lasers).

I have unfairly dissed this film in times past, no more. My favourite is still TLD, and my favourite Connery is still TB, but objectively speaking there's a reason why this is considered a classic.
Lightning in a bottle.

I knew it was only a matter of time before you'd see the light, my friend!

Blackleiter · June 2014

Thunderpussy wrote:

It's just a great film. {[] . Music, script, sets, acting it's ALL good ! {[]

But of course! {[]

jonnybond78 · June 2014

Hard to argue against any of the comments here. Some dodgy back screen projection is a negative point , but it was the 60s i guess.

)

AlphaOmegaSin · June 2014

Back Screen Projection was cutting Edge in Film making back in the 60's

chrisisall · June 2014

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

Back Screen Projection was cutting Edge in Film making back in the 60's

Nah, it was cutting edge in the 40's maybe. It was a cost cutter, and had a strange hyper-realistic look back then that allowed you to light people well in vehicles. Like anything else, an over-used trick the ended up being a real funny joke in the movie "Airplane".

Why is Goldfinger considered the best?

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