'Goldfinger' revisited

With 'Quantum of Solace' due to hit our screens soon, we take a daily look back at the 21 official Bond films. Day 3: ‘Goldfinger’

Goldfinger (1964, Guy Hamilton)
Villain: Auric Goldfinger
At stake: Western economic collapse
Candy: Honor Blackman
Gizmo: Tricked out Aston Martin
Theme song: ‘Goldfinger’ by Shirley Bassey
Quote: ‘You’re a woman of many parts, Pussy!’

Loud, brash and action-packed, ‘Goldfinger’ saw Bond become a worldwide icon.

A rip-roaring opening segment promises much. Overall, there’s plenty to enjoy in the honking theme song, the Aston Martin, the energetic direction and James’s fetching powder-blue bathing outfit, but it’s hard to get past the film’s many shortcomings.

Backed by Red China, portly German smuggler Auric Goldfinger plots to radiate the Fort Knox gold deposits in a bid to create economic havoc in the West and increase the value of his own stash. More than enough for James to be getting on with then, but his attempts to foil this scheme amount to some frosty badinage over a round of golf and spending much of the film in Goldfinger’s custody. His captor goes on to outline his plan at great length for no obvious reason and then transports 007 to within strolling distance of Fort Knox in time to waltz in and steal his thunder.

‘Goldfinger’ features such memorable supporting players as Oddjob and Pussy Galore and her squadron of high-flying honey-bunnies, who further serve to relegate Bond to something of a supporting player in his own film.

The relative lack of exotic locations doesn’t help matters, with the Jamaican sun and Turkish minarets of the previous films replaced by the rural backwaters of Kentucky and a damp golf course in Stoke Poges.

James Bond will return in… ‘Thunderball’

Read our original ‘Goldfinger’ review

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