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From Amazon.co.uk
We still find ourselves waiting for the bulk of the James Bond back catalogue to enjoy a Blu-ray upgrade. It’s all the more frustrating given the high quality of the discs that have been released thus far, which have whetted the appetite for more releases. It seems we might be waiting some time. In the meantime, at least there are discs of the quality of Goldfinger to get our teeth into, a Blu-ray that demonstrates just how a high definition transfer can enhance an older film.
Goldfinger is, of course, the third film in the official James Bond movie series. It finds Sean Connery as 007, this time pitted against Auric Goldfinger. Of course, things aren’t straightforward, not helped by the presence of Oddjob and Pussy Galore, and the film isn’t shy of terrific sequences, memorable Bond moments and Connery on tip-top form in the lead role. What’s particularly satisfying about the Blu-ray is just how complete it is. The picture quality is a very pleasant surprise, delivering sharp visuals in spite of the age of the film. The audio is limited by today’s standards--it certainly struggles to stand toe-to-toe next to something like Quantum Of Solace in that regard--but it’s still the best the film has sounded in the home. And then there’s the excellent, thoughtful extra features package. A lot of it you’ve seen before on the DVD releases, but there has been some welcome HD improvement work undertaken too. Something that’s overlooked on many catalogue Blu-ray releases.
Ultimately, Goldfinger is a vintage James Bond film, that makes the most of its high definition upgrade. Now roll on the rest of the movies… --Jon Foster
Product Description
James Bond (Sean Connery) pits his wits against the power-crazed criminal mastermind Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) in the third of the long-running spy series. Mr Finger has secured most of the gold in the world and now plans to render the rest useless. Henchman Oddjob (Harold Sakata) helps him realise his plans, thanks to his unusually lethal bowler hat, whilst Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) is the glamorous pilot who Goldfinger hopes will execute the raid on Fort Knox that will make him the richest man in the world. Can Bond save the day again or has he finally met his match in the man with the Midas touch? Includes the famous customized Aston Martin DB5, complete with machine guns, smoke screen and ejector seat.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By D. Campbell
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Blu-ray
'Goldfinger' is one of my favourite movies and was the first DVD disc I ever played. I put off buying a Blu-ray player until 'Goldfinger' was available on that format. So, putting that disc into my brand new Panasonic DMP-BD35 player was a much anticipated event, fraught with the possibility of either fulfilment or of bitter disappointment.
Fortunately, I was served up a large dollop of joy. The reviews of the Blu-ray releases of 'Dr. No' and 'From Russia with Love' were very positive and so it has proved to be the same for 'Goldfinger'
However, I can't agree with reviews that say "Set in the '60s but looks as if it was filmed yesterday". It simply isn't going to look as sharp as 'Bourne Ultimatum' (for example) but the Technicolor palette has never looked quite so natural - e.g. the golf match between Goldfinger & Bond. Some scenes are really quite beautiful such as the Alpine, 'Golden Girl', and 'Fort Knox' interior scenes. However the High Def format shows up flaws in the matte and model work. The soundtrack is also greatly enhanced with the title sequence looking and sounding fantastic. Most of the extras have been available on previous DVD releases and have now been enhanced for the Blu-ray release.
If you are an HD-loving, long-standing Bond fan and think 'Goldfinger' is THE essential Bond movie, just buy it.
Fortunately, I was served up a large dollop of joy. The reviews of the Blu-ray releases of 'Dr. No' and 'From Russia with Love' were very positive and so it has proved to be the same for 'Goldfinger'
However, I can't agree with reviews that say "Set in the '60s but looks as if it was filmed yesterday". It simply isn't going to look as sharp as 'Bourne Ultimatum' (for example) but the Technicolor palette has never looked quite so natural - e.g. the golf match between Goldfinger & Bond. Some scenes are really quite beautiful such as the Alpine, 'Golden Girl', and 'Fort Knox' interior scenes. However the High Def format shows up flaws in the matte and model work. The soundtrack is also greatly enhanced with the title sequence looking and sounding fantastic. Most of the extras have been available on previous DVD releases and have now been enhanced for the Blu-ray release.
If you are an HD-loving, long-standing Bond fan and think 'Goldfinger' is THE essential Bond movie, just buy it.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
When the "Ultimate Edition" 2DVD sets of the Bond films were finally released in July 2006, most fans couldn't believe their luck or their eyes. It didn't seem to matter which of the 20 films you bought - due to the Pristine Lowry Digital Restoration Process (frame-by-frame clean up that apparently took two years to achieve), they were all jaw dropping - simply spectacular to look at. And each was bolstered up with spiffy new 007 menus and period special features that were informative and actually worth seeing.
It should therefore come as no surprise that this 2009 BLU RAY reissue of 1964's "Goldfinger" (directed by Guy Hamilton) uses those same cleaned-up elements and extras - and is an awesome thing to behold.
To put this into an actual context - here's some examples of how revelatory the print actually is - in the pre opening-credits sequence when 007 plants his detonation devices, Connery then peels out of what is supposed to be a wetsuit, but you can clearly see it's black/blue silk outfit to offset his immaculate white tuxedo beneath (then he buttonhole's his red carnation in incredible clarity). When he comes out onto the hotel balcony in Miami and lies down beside Gill Masterson on the sun-lounge (Shirley Eaton instructing Gert Frobe via binoculars as to what the other card player is holding), on the close up of 007's face, you can clearly see applied make-up on his cheeks - it's Bond in blusher!
Or how about this... as Bond talks to Auric Goldfinger on the golf-course before they tee off, you can just about make out the dividing lines between the square turfs of grass they laid out to make the tee-off area look more lush. Then there's the deep black enamel of the AU 1 number plate on the Phantom 337 as its loaded into a transport plane bound for Geneva...... Read more ›
It should therefore come as no surprise that this 2009 BLU RAY reissue of 1964's "Goldfinger" (directed by Guy Hamilton) uses those same cleaned-up elements and extras - and is an awesome thing to behold.
To put this into an actual context - here's some examples of how revelatory the print actually is - in the pre opening-credits sequence when 007 plants his detonation devices, Connery then peels out of what is supposed to be a wetsuit, but you can clearly see it's black/blue silk outfit to offset his immaculate white tuxedo beneath (then he buttonhole's his red carnation in incredible clarity). When he comes out onto the hotel balcony in Miami and lies down beside Gill Masterson on the sun-lounge (Shirley Eaton instructing Gert Frobe via binoculars as to what the other card player is holding), on the close up of 007's face, you can clearly see applied make-up on his cheeks - it's Bond in blusher!
Or how about this... as Bond talks to Auric Goldfinger on the golf-course before they tee off, you can just about make out the dividing lines between the square turfs of grass they laid out to make the tee-off area look more lush. Then there's the deep black enamel of the AU 1 number plate on the Phantom 337 as its loaded into a transport plane bound for Geneva...... Read more ›
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As is oft quoted, this movie is where all the ingredients came together. Whether this is your favourite Bond movie or not, probably depends mostly on how you appreciated the change in tone that happened with this movie. Guy Hamilton took over directing duties, and recognised the whole tongue in cheek potential of the franchise, as exemplified by the opening sequence, and ran with that. This opening sequence has Bond swim up `disguised' with a duck on his head, and run around setting charges in an extravagant Ken Adams designed set, before suavely peeling back the dry suit to reveal an immaculate white suit, flourishing a carnation for his lapel from who-knows-where, and sauntering in to seduce a lady in a bar. This mini-story within a story exemplifies all that was to come in the movie and movies to follow. Suave, funny, action packed, and of course just a little bit over the top.
Much is said of the fact that gadgets came to the fore - the Aston Martin is introduced in spectacular form, and the women are both beautiful and played by talented actresses. Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore was the first leading Bond lady who actually had previous acting experience (and at 36, the oldest actress to play a Bond lady). John Barry has also crafted a fully realised score for the movie far superior to his earlier work on Bond movies. However, two things above all make Goldfinger a success. Firstly, Sean Connery is by now completely at home with the character. His comfort in the role without yet being tired of it adds immeasurably to the charm of the movie. Secondly, the true measure of a Bond movie is in how good the villain is - and Gert Frobe makes a fantastic megalomaniac.... Read more ›
Much is said of the fact that gadgets came to the fore - the Aston Martin is introduced in spectacular form, and the women are both beautiful and played by talented actresses. Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore was the first leading Bond lady who actually had previous acting experience (and at 36, the oldest actress to play a Bond lady). John Barry has also crafted a fully realised score for the movie far superior to his earlier work on Bond movies. However, two things above all make Goldfinger a success. Firstly, Sean Connery is by now completely at home with the character. His comfort in the role without yet being tired of it adds immeasurably to the charm of the movie. Secondly, the true measure of a Bond movie is in how good the villain is - and Gert Frobe makes a fantastic megalomaniac.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jim Jim
Format:DVD
Twenty One reviews and all of the Five Star. It says it all really. So many Iconic bond momentws, the first bond car, the lazer up between the legs, the game of golf at Stoke Poges to name but a few, Probably the most famous, and probably the best bond ever
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic, great remaster
If you only buy one Bond film, make it this. Goldfinger encompasses all that is Bond, with the best moments in the history of the franchises happening here. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Max
5.0 out of 5 stars
BIG YIN TRIUMPHS.
An almost unrecognizable Billy Connolly stars in this dark comedy about the adventures of a double glazing salesman. Read more
Published 3 months ago by john dillon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Platinum Finger
Gadgets Galore on this one! Please do not think that Shirley Eaton was painted Gold on this..yeah it was British glamour beauty Margaret Nolan for the title credits... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tony Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best bond film.........
This is the "iconic" bond film. It has everything. The soundtrack is perfect, the character acting is memorable and reference and the general feel of the film is so classic that... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Johan RF
5.0 out of 5 stars
James Bond
Excellent film, lots of action as we have come to expect from the Bond films, and Sean Connery, what more could you want.
Published 4 months ago by Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The essence of Bond
In many respects this is the most iconic and celebrated on all the Bond films. The opening sequence is not without humour but once the film gets underway "Goldfinger" reveals... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ian Thumwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real Bond
As with all the Bond's with Connery , excellent .This film takes me back to my younger days before computer graphics and this film was unique then.
Published 4 months ago by John O' Flynn
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappionted
This dvd does not finish. It sticks so you never get to see the end of the film. Not impressed.
Published 4 months ago by mrs nicola dumville
5.0 out of 5 stars
SUPERB ENTERTAINMENT
One of my all time favourite films. So many superb bits: the game of golf (featured in a recent Golf World), the car, the girl........ Read more
Published 6 months ago by WH LAIRD
5.0 out of 5 stars
goldfinger
i had to get this dvd to complete my collection. love sean connery the best out of all the bonds
Published 6 months ago by Mrs T
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