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Amazon.co.uk Review
Dry as ice, dripping with deadpan witticisms, only Sean Connery's Bond would dare to disparage the Beatles, that other 1964 phenomenon. No one but Connery can believably seduce women so effortlessly, kill with almost as much ease, and then pull another bottle of Dom Perignon 53 out of the fridge. Goldfinger contains many of the most memorable scenes in the Bond series: gorgeous Shirley Eaton (as Jill Masterson) coated in gold paint by evil Auric Goldfinger and deposited in Bond's bed; silent Oddjob, flipping a razor-sharp bowler like a Frisbee to sever heads; our hero spread-eagled on a table while a laser beam moves threateningly toward his crotch. Honor Blackman's Pussy Galore is the prototype for the series' rash of man-hating supermodels. And Desmond Llewelyn reprises his role as Q, giving Bond what is still his most impressive car, a snazzy little number that fires off smoke screens, punctures the tyres of vehicles on the chase, and boasts a handy ejector seat. Goldfinger's two climaxes, inside Fort Knox and aboard a private plane, have to be seen to be believed.--Raphael Shargel, Amazon.com--
On the DVD: Featuring interviews with Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton, the late Desmond Llewelyn and most of the surviving core cast and crew members, great on-set footage (Blackman and Connery look like they clearly had the hots for each other even when the camera weren't rolling) and a strong argument about how this firmed up the gadget-orientated, thrills-and-spills formula for the franchise, John Cork's "making of" featurette for this DVD is one of the most rewarding in this series. The two commentary tracks have moderately interesting observations by director Guy Hamilton, the cast and crew (many of their comments recycled from the documentary), and on both Bond superfan-and-author Lee Pfeiffer filling in blanks and explaining in exhaustive detail the history of the Aston Martin DB5 that first appeared in this film. Also included is an open-ended 1964 interview with Sean Connery, designed so that American radio disc jockeys could pretend they had an exclusive interview with the star, in which he extols the series' "sadism for the family" among other things. --Leslie Felperin
Special Features
THE ULTIMATE EDITION CONTAINS: NEVER BEFORE RELEASED ON DVD: DECLASSIFIED: MI6 VAULT Sean Connery From the Set of Goldfinger Screen Tests • On Tour With the Aston Martin DB-5 Honor Blackman Open-Ended Interview 007 MISSION CONTROL Interactive Guide Into the World of Goldfinger THE COMPLETE SPECIAL FEATURES LIBRARY: MISSION DOSSIER Audio Commentary Featuring Guy Hamilton Audio Commentary Featuring Cast and Crew • The Making of Goldfinger The Goldfinger Phenomenon • Original Publicity Featurette MINISTRY OF PROPAGANDA Original Trailers, TV Spots, Photo Gallery & Radio Communications
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 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. You only have to check out the two screen tests for other actors to realise just how different the movie would have been without his exuberant style. The character, as well as key movie plotlines, rely on his bombastic enthusiasm for boasting, and Frobe makes this a believable trait.
Whether you like the comedic elements or not, the fact is that Guy Hamilton clearly got the balance right to appeal to the widest possible audience. Goldfinger was not just a hit - it was a phenomenon. This is amply demonstrated in the extras, which include all of the Special Edition extras plus various period interviews and feauturettes, including an open-ended interview with Honor Blackman, on set chat with Connery, the aforementioned screen tests and a 10 minute BBC feature on the Aston Martin touring to promote the film. Despite these additions, the best of all is still the entertaining and thorough half hour documentary and movie commentary from the Special Edition.
In reality, as a film Goldfinger does not deserve 5 stars. But this is not reality - this is entertainment. And as the most defining iconic movie of a 20th Century hero, this movie has more than enough entertainment value to override the quibbles and make this a 5 star success.
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. You only have to check out the two screen tests for other actors to realise just how different the movie would have been without his exuberant style. The character, as well as key movie plotlines, rely on his bombastic enthusiasm for boasting, and Frobe makes this a believable trait.
Whether you like the comedic elements or not, the fact is that Guy Hamilton clearly got the balance right to appeal to the widest possible audience. Goldfinger was not just a hit - it was a phenomenon. This is amply demonstrated in the extras, which include all of the Special Edition extras plus various period interviews and feauturettes, including an open-ended interview with Honor Blackman, on set chat with Connery, the aforementioned screen tests and a 10 minute BBC feature on the Aston Martin touring to promote the film. Despite these additions, the best of all is still the entertaining and thorough half hour documentary and movie commentary from the Special Edition.
In reality, as a film Goldfinger does not deserve 5 stars. But this is not reality - this is entertainment. And as the most defining iconic movie of a 20th Century hero, this movie has more than enough entertainment value to override the quibbles and make this a 5 star success.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The DVD is extraordinarily good, with two informative commentaries. The two documentaries cover similar ground, but one incorporates a fascinating glimspe at a screen test for the title role. The picture quality is excellent for such an old film, and the sound is crisp. The film has all the ingredients of Gadgets, girls and Vodkatini's. 'Goldfinger' is often sited as the best Bond, however while the film introduces all the dominant themes of the series, it lacks the humour and sense of fun in all the Seventies Bonds. People should except that Moore and Connery are brilliant Bonds, but in different ways.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This Quite simply is the best James Bond film of all time. An excellent actor plays goldfinger, with an even more excellent voice over. Oddjob is probably the most memorable henchman ever, and then connery is at his peak. Add to that one of the best plots of all time and the finale is fantastic. And then we cant forgot the 3 gorgeous bond women, pussy galore and the master's twins Jill and Tilly. Please buy this film
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
From the golden age of 007 movies
Not seen a Bond film in years but this was on TV recently so I thought I'd give it a go. It comes from the golden age of 007 movies, so is among the best. Read more
Published 7 days ago by J & K
not quite right.
It was my fault I did not read the description correctly. I wanted the DVD for my husband but bought this by mistake. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Margaret Wride
Great restoration
Great restoration but if you own a Blu-Ray player I suggest getting Goldfinger Blu-ray instead as the quailty is better.
Published 6 months ago by kristopherm3
Goldfinger - 2006 double disc Ultimate Edition - Bond strikes gold on...
These were the Golden years for the Bond series. Following from the success of From Russia With Love, Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman made everything bigger and better for Sean... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Victor
24 carat entertainment
One of the best Bond's ever. Had it all- Connery at his peak, the greatest gadget ever in the Aston Martin DB5 and a wonderful villain and henchman in Goldfinger and Oddjob. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2009 by Dr. A. DAVIES
No way is this the best Bond movie, no way
Gimmicky, disjionted, over reliant on this new gadgetry which was suddenly very appealing to a fast growing consumerist society, it has far less of the essence of James Bond as in... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2008 by Lou Knee
"No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die!"
Appropriately enough the first of the series to have a really imaginative use of colour, Goldfinger is in many ways the most visually sensual of the films, the unforgettable image... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2007 by Trevor Willsmer
Quick Reviews!
This is the point where the Bond series really fired into action-terrific stunts, explosive action, good set pieces, memorable villains, car chases, gadgets, and feisty, strong... Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2007 by carlosnightman
Goldfinger - A Review
Another entry in what many fans call the Golden Era of Bond (Dr No to Thunderball) once again starring Sean Connery as a brilliant Bond. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2007 by Brooky
Dull, brutish and long...
Oh, the disappointment. In my mind's eye, Goldfinger was a rattling good Bond movie, but in reality turns out after these many years to be a piece of cheap, tawdry rubbish. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2007 by Robert Machin
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