GF has far more iconic scenes than any other Bond film. In fact, for much of the movie, it's one iconic scene after another (iconic meaning: original, memorable, representative of the series and the Bond character, influential, much copied).
That's why the Film is commonly viewed as the one that set the Bond Formula.
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
GF has far more iconic scenes than any other Bond film. In fact, for much of the movie, it's one iconic scene after another (iconic meaning: original, memorable, representative of the series and the Bond character, influential, much copied).
Guy Hamilton is not my favourite director of the series but he hit on something with this film that try as he might he could not replicate in his subsequent Bond films. Call it movie magic but everything seemed to come together to make a genuine classic. -{
PTS
Titles
Music
Jill Masterson
Aston Martin
Q Branch
Oddjob
Goldfinger
Oddjob crushing golf ball
Laser beam scene
Operation Grand Slam explained by Goldfinger
Pussy Galore
Oddjob fight
Goldfinger fight
Cons:
Poolside Miami hotel scenes an obvious set
Felix Leiter
Soldiers falling down with nerve gas dispersal
Bomb countdown
Modelwork of planes
Observations:
A lighter touch under Guy Hamilton's direction which is OK because it's not too comedic.
Conclusion:
This is always heralded by most professional reviewers as the best Bond of all but seeing it again it has gone downhill a bit in my estimation. there are several scenes that don't work well - the soldiers falling down far too quickly with the nerve gas - the countdown on the bomb is badly edited - Felix Leiter looks far too old and it is hard to see him and Bond being friends.
On the plus side both Goldfinger and Oddjob are brilliant villains and Pussy Galore is a good Bond girl. There are several good points - the PTS is great and the laser beam scene harks back to the tension of the Red Grant scene in FRWL where we feel real tension in Bond's dilemma. John Barry's score is excellent and the whole feel of the film is impressive.
Even so I was seriously debating placing this behind DN but the fact of Goldfinger and Oddjob being so good puts it marginally ahead of DN but behind FRWL.
CHB will return reviewing THUNDERBALL soon
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Everyone and everything in it up until the raid begins on Fort Knox. It's absolutely brilliant.
Cons:
The raid and climax. As CoolHandBond says, the way the guys fall down with the gassing is terrible. Bond should defuse the bomb, Auric GF shouldn't have been able to end up on that plane either.
I think this is Connery's best performance. He's having a really good time and he looks his best too.
-It feels like a Bond classic.
-Connery gives a great performance.
-Gert Frobe may be dubbed, but he still looks like a tough villain.
-Hamilton's directing is great.
-Solid dialogue.
-The fight scene between Bond and Oddjob is epic.
-The laser scene that made movie history.
-The plot is effective.
-Solid score.
Cons:
-I don't fully understand why the men at the meeting were gassed to death, although it's presumably because Goldfinger didn't intend to pay them.
-It was kinda foolish of Bond to sleep with Jill Masterson after talking to Goldfinger in the scene when he catches him cheating. Did he really expect no repercussions for what he did?
All in all, I love GF, and give it a 10/10.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
-It was kinda foolish of Bond to sleep with Jill Masterson after talking to Goldfinger in the scene when he catches him cheating. Did he really expect no repercussions for what he did?
It's the first time that happens, so I can see why Bond didn't expect repercussions. Why would he think that would happen? When Bond sleeps with the bad girl Miss Taro in Dr. No, he's in complete control of that situation. With Andrea Anders, sure, he should have seen that one.
On the Bassey song, I like it, but there are other Bond theme songs I prefer to it.
As far as Connery Era goes (EON films), I prefer "Thunderball" and "You Only Live Twice" to it, even if I prefer GF as a movie to TB and YOLT.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
-Gert Frobe may be dubbed, but he still looks like a tough villain.
Fröbe was dubbed very well. I think he's a great look as villain. I love his expressions and with a great dubbed sound it's perfect to me. Almost no to none notable dub-moments.
Don't confuse me with the other DutchBondFan, but be sure to follow his YouTube account. You can read my articles on James Bond Nederland: www.jamesbond.nl/author/gosse/
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
One question: In whose apartment was Bond when he had sex with J. M.?
And how come neither Bond nor Jill noticed Oddjob before he knocked out Bond?
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
One question: In whose apartment was Bond when he had sex with J. M.?
And how come neither Bond nor Jill noticed Oddjob before he knocked out Bond?
I'm pretty sure it was Bond's hotel room, since Bond met Jill in Goldfinger's suite and they didn't stay there. Oddjob is really quiet and did a good job hiding!
I find it curious that Oddjob was willing to die in the vault when the bomb went off.
Of course, since he never talks in the movie, I'm not sure if he was aware of the bomb. He just gives the impression that he doesn't care what happens to him, and just goes along with Goldfinger's plan.
Also, why did Goldfinger leave Oddjob to die? Did he assume he was easily replaceable?
This is just for the sake of discussion, as GF is easily one of my fave Bond films.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
I find it curious that Oddjob was willing to die in the vault when the bomb went off.
Of course, since he never talks in the movie, I'm not sure if he was aware of the bomb. He just gives the impression that he doesn't care what happens to him, and just goes along with Goldfinger's plan.
Also, why did Goldfinger leave Oddjob to die? Did he assume he was easily replaceable?
This is just for the sake of discussion, as GF is easily one of my fave Bond films.
Goldfinger wanted Bond to die in the vault, and he needed Oddjob there to make sure Bond didn't ruin his plans.
Does anyone else find it a bit sad that Tilly got killed as well as her sister?
I think it would've been interesting if she stuck around a bit longer in the movie.
Then again, I'm not sure how she would've fit in later scenes.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Does anyone else find it a bit sad that Tilly got killed as well as her sister?
I think it would've been interesting if she stuck around a bit longer in the movie.
Then again, I'm not sure how she would've fit in later scenes.
Tilly's death goes along with how Bond isn't able to succeed at anything in the film. He can't save two girls, he only wins at golf because Goldfinger cheated, he crashes his car, he's captured, he can't turn off the bomb, Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane after shooting the gun (with Bond's help), Bond can't save the plane.
He can't save two girls, he only wins at golf because Goldfinger cheated, he crashes his car, he's captured, he can't turn off the bomb, Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane after shooting the gun (with Bond's help), Bond can't save the plane.
) true.
BUT! Bond does talk Goldfinger into not lasering him down the middle!
He can't save two girls, he only wins at golf because Goldfinger cheated, he crashes his car, he's captured, he can't turn off the bomb, Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane after shooting the gun (with Bond's help), Bond can't save the plane.
) true.
BUT! Bond does talk Goldfinger into not lasering him down the middle!
And he talks Pussy into changing the gas and being straight with him. He's a man of words and not actions in Goldfinger.
It would be interesting if SC looked bored in GF like he did in TB on, because couple that with the fact he does bugger all - it could be a very different film.
It would be interesting if SC looked bored in GF like he did in TB on, because couple that with the fact he does bugger all - it could be a very different film.
I agree. Had his performance in GF been any different, the movie would most likely not be regarded in the way it is.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
At the end of the PTS after Bond says "positively shocking" followed by the first note of that theme tune is so awesome. -{
A great Bond moment for sure :007) -{ .
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Interesting to think about the way Bond's meeting with Pussy was handled.
Hamilton really aced that scene.
Because in movies, it's not just what is said, but how it's said and in what context it's said.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Comments
That's why the Film is commonly viewed as the one that set the Bond Formula.
-{
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Before tonight last seen about 12-18 months ago.
PROS:
PTS
Titles
Music
Jill Masterson
Aston Martin
Q Branch
Oddjob
Goldfinger
Oddjob crushing golf ball
Laser beam scene
Operation Grand Slam explained by Goldfinger
Pussy Galore
Oddjob fight
Goldfinger fight
Cons:
Poolside Miami hotel scenes an obvious set
Felix Leiter
Soldiers falling down with nerve gas dispersal
Bomb countdown
Modelwork of planes
Observations:
A lighter touch under Guy Hamilton's direction which is OK because it's not too comedic.
Conclusion:
This is always heralded by most professional reviewers as the best Bond of all but seeing it again it has gone downhill a bit in my estimation. there are several scenes that don't work well - the soldiers falling down far too quickly with the nerve gas - the countdown on the bomb is badly edited - Felix Leiter looks far too old and it is hard to see him and Bond being friends.
On the plus side both Goldfinger and Oddjob are brilliant villains and Pussy Galore is a good Bond girl. There are several good points - the PTS is great and the laser beam scene harks back to the tension of the Red Grant scene in FRWL where we feel real tension in Bond's dilemma. John Barry's score is excellent and the whole feel of the film is impressive.
Even so I was seriously debating placing this behind DN but the fact of Goldfinger and Oddjob being so good puts it marginally ahead of DN but behind FRWL.
CHB will return reviewing THUNDERBALL soon
Pros:
Everyone and everything in it up until the raid begins on Fort Knox. It's absolutely brilliant.
Cons:
The raid and climax. As CoolHandBond says, the way the guys fall down with the gassing is terrible. Bond should defuse the bomb, Auric GF shouldn't have been able to end up on that plane either.
I think this is Connery's best performance. He's having a really good time and he looks his best too.
Rog knows how to defuse a good bomb
"Better make that two."
Personally I find DN/FRWL to be his best performance followed by TB.
-It feels like a Bond classic.
-Connery gives a great performance.
-Gert Frobe may be dubbed, but he still looks like a tough villain.
-Hamilton's directing is great.
-Solid dialogue.
-The fight scene between Bond and Oddjob is epic.
-The laser scene that made movie history.
-The plot is effective.
-Solid score.
Cons:
-I don't fully understand why the men at the meeting were gassed to death, although it's presumably because Goldfinger didn't intend to pay them.
-It was kinda foolish of Bond to sleep with Jill Masterson after talking to Goldfinger in the scene when he catches him cheating. Did he really expect no repercussions for what he did?
All in all, I love GF, and give it a 10/10.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
It's the first time that happens, so I can see why Bond didn't expect repercussions. Why would he think that would happen? When Bond sleeps with the bad girl Miss Taro in Dr. No, he's in complete control of that situation. With Andrea Anders, sure, he should have seen that one.
On the Bassey song, I like it, but there are other Bond theme songs I prefer to it.
As far as Connery Era goes (EON films), I prefer "Thunderball" and "You Only Live Twice" to it, even if I prefer GF as a movie to TB and YOLT.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Fröbe was dubbed very well. I think he's a great look as villain. I love his expressions and with a great dubbed sound it's perfect to me. Almost no to none notable dub-moments.
"Better make that two."
"Playing his golden harp."
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
And how come neither Bond nor Jill noticed Oddjob before he knocked out Bond?
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
I'm pretty sure it was Bond's hotel room, since Bond met Jill in Goldfinger's suite and they didn't stay there. Oddjob is really quiet and did a good job hiding!
Of course, since he never talks in the movie, I'm not sure if he was aware of the bomb. He just gives the impression that he doesn't care what happens to him, and just goes along with Goldfinger's plan.
Also, why did Goldfinger leave Oddjob to die? Did he assume he was easily replaceable?
This is just for the sake of discussion, as GF is easily one of my fave Bond films.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Goldfinger wanted Bond to die in the vault, and he needed Oddjob there to make sure Bond didn't ruin his plans.
I think it would've been interesting if she stuck around a bit longer in the movie.
Then again, I'm not sure how she would've fit in later scenes.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Tilly's death goes along with how Bond isn't able to succeed at anything in the film. He can't save two girls, he only wins at golf because Goldfinger cheated, he crashes his car, he's captured, he can't turn off the bomb, Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane after shooting the gun (with Bond's help), Bond can't save the plane.
You might like to read the book, where exactly that happens!
BUT! Bond does talk Goldfinger into not lasering him down the middle!
"Better make that two."
And he talks Pussy into changing the gas and being straight with him. He's a man of words and not actions in Goldfinger.
"Better make that two."
I agree. Had his performance in GF been any different, the movie would most likely not be regarded in the way it is.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
A great Bond moment for sure :007) -{ .
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Hamilton really aced that scene.
Because in movies, it's not just what is said, but how it's said and in what context it's said.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Yep, the scene on the private plane is pretty epic. To me it's like the golf, just so well done.
"Better make that two."
The PTS.
Bassey's theme song.
Jill's death is an iconic scene in the series.
Barry's score, even the Disney-ish parts in the barn.
the laser scene, because the terror on Connery's face is real.
Oddjob is a brilliant henchman.
first Q lab scene.
The golf game with Bond playing Goldfinger at his own game on the golf course.
The humour.
meeting with the gangsters at Auric stud.
CONS
Obvious model work at times
The scene with Bond and the bomb is inconsistent. He doesn't know what to do. In movies that follow, Bond defuses them with some ease.
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
" I don't listen to hip hop!"