Goldfinger

Published on January 4th, 2025

“Goldfinger” has always been one of my favorite James Bond films. It struck a chord with me from the moment I first saw it as a kid, sometime in the late ’80s or early ’90s. I know I’m not alone in this sentiment—this classic often ranks at the very top of Bond movie lists, and for good reason. It’s the first film in the franchise to masterfully combine all the elements that define the quintessential Bond experience.

James Bond is sent to investigate the activities of gold magnate Auric Goldfinger, suspected of gold smuggling on a massive scale. Bond uncovers Goldfinger’s audacious plan, “Operation Grand Slam,” which involves infiltrating the United States’ Fort Knox to irradiate its gold reserves, destabilizing the global economy and increasing the value of his own hoard. With the help of the daring pilot Pussy Galore and a mix of wit and skill, Bond must thwart Goldfinger’s scheme before it plunges the world into financial chaos.

“Goldfinger” shifts away from the more grounded, serious tone of “Dr. No” and “From Russia with Love“, embracing a lighter, action-packed approach that would come to define much of the franchise. This change is evident right from the cold open, where Bond emerges from the water with a fake seagull perched on his wetsuit—a playful touch that sets the tone. Notably, this opening sequence is the first in the series to be completely unrelated to the main plot, introducing a now-iconic tradition for Bond films.

The opening credits of “Goldfinger” mark a pivotal moment in Bond history, featuring the franchise’s first true Bond anthem—Shirley Bassey’s powerhouse performance of the title track. Her bold, brassy vocals perfectly complement the colorful and surreal title sequence, setting a new standard for Bond films. In comparison, the first two movies offered the forgettable “Under the Mango Tree” and the understated “From Russia with Love”, neither of which came close to delivering the electrifying impact of Bassey’s iconic “Goldfinger”.

While “From Russia with Love” introduced Desmond Llewelyn’s Q and his gadgetry, “Goldfinger” truly cemented their dynamic with the now-iconic mix of mutual irritation and begrudging respect. This film also gave us the first unforgettable Bond gadget: the Aston Martin DB5. Packed with features like an ejector seat and hidden weaponry, it plays a key role in some of the franchise’s most inventive action sequences. It’s not a stretch to think that this legendary car helped inspire K.I.T.T. in “Knight Rider” two decades later.

In “Goldfinger,” Bond faces a trio of memorable villains: the scheming billionaire Auric Goldfinger, his silent enforcer Oddjob, and the skilled pilot Pussy Galore. Gert Fröbe, despite being dubbed, delivers a deliciously menacing performance, gifting the series one of its most iconic lines: “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!” Oddjob, with his deadly bowler hat, has become even more legendary, transcending the film to appear in pop culture and even TV commercials.

Pussy Galore, however, is a far more complicated figure. Beyond her suggestive name, the character is implied to be a lesbian, seemingly immune to Bond’s charm. She holds her own against him for much of the film, but in a deeply troubling turn, Bond forces himself on her in a scene that implies he “converts” her through sheer dominance. This moment, viewed through a modern lens, is undeniably problematic—it is, in essence, sexual assault disguised as seduction, and one of the most poorly aged scenes in the franchise.

The plot of “Goldfinger” leans heavily into whimsy, epitomized by Goldfinger’s grandiose plan to contaminate the U.S. gold reserve at Fort Knox with radiation. It’s the kind of over-the-top scheme that defines classic Bond villains. However, Goldfinger’s decision to keep Bond alive, even bringing him along to the U.S., strains credibility. He could have easily eliminated Bond halfway through the movie and likely succeeded unchallenged.

The writers clearly recognized this flaw, awkwardly inserting a line to justify Bond’s survival: Goldfinger claims that keeping him alive prevents U.S. and UK intelligence from intervening. Even if that explanation held water, it still doesn’t account for Goldfinger’s baffling choice to explain his entire plan to Bond in great detail—a trope that, while iconic, defies all logic.

But logic takes a backseat in a film that prioritizes delivering a crowd-pleasing spectacle over being a grounded spy thriller—and it works. It works so well, in fact, that “Goldfinger” established the default template for most of Bond’s future outings, with only a few exceptions. From the larger-than-life villain and outlandish plot to the blend of action, humor, and style, this formula proved irresistible. It wasn’t until the Daniel Craig era that the franchise made a deliberate effort to reinvent itself. That “Goldfinger” shaped the series for more than 40 years is a testament to just how masterfully this movie was crafted.