Spotlight On Blofeld

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The founder and leader of criminal organisation SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counterintelligence, Terrorism, Revenge, and Extortion), Ernst Stavro Blofeld has been Bond’s chief antagonist across the 007 films, played by different actors but united by the same sinister qualities: ruthlessness, piercing intelligence, a way with words and the ability to mastermind the most ambitious, devilish schemes. 

Referred to only as Number One, Blofeld’s first appearance came in From Russia With Love, plotting revenge on board his luxury yacht for the death of Dr. No. Played by Anthony Dawson (the voice came courtesy of Eric Pohlmann), his face is never seen but he is glimpsed stroking a white Persian cat, soon to become a trademark of the character. Absent from Goldfinger, the character returned in Thunderball, this time hidden behind shutters and glass as he chairs a meeting of Spectre’s top executives, two of which he ruthlessly electrocutes.

You Only Live Twice featured the character’s first fully visual appearance. At producer Harry Saltzman’s suggestion, Jan Werich, a highly regarded Czech actor, was cast but director Lewis Gilbert had reservations. The role was recast with English actor Donald Pleasence.

When Blofeld returned in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service it was in the guise of actor Telly Savalas. “I found him a joy to work with,” recalled director Peter Hunt. 

Blofeld’s plan is to contaminate and sterilise the world’s food supply using biological warfare, carried by his brainwashed Angels Of Death from his snowy hideaway in Piz Gloria. When Bond (George Lazenby) thwarts Blofeld’s scheme, he takes revenge by instructing Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat) to assassinate Bond’s new wife Tracy (Diana Rigg), leaving the secret agent bereft. 

With a vengeful 007 on his trail, in Diamonds Are Forever, Blofeld creates decoys of himself, building an orbital satellite weapon encrusted with diamonds in order to blackmail the world’s government, offering nuclear supremacy to the highest bidder. This time, Blofeld was played by Charles Gray who also played British intelligence operative Dikko Henderson in You Only Live Twice. 

Blofeld was reintroduced in Daniel Craig’s fourth film Spectre. “That clarified everything in terms of what the story might be, how it might personally connect to Bond in some way,” said Spectre screenwriter John Logan. “The idea that Blofeld has been orchestrating all these Daniel Craig stories for a particular end was very exciting.”

Taking his cue from Fleming, Logan initially conceived Blofeld as an arms dealer operating out of Africa, tying into real life events in Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Other ideas included using the Japanese volcano from You Only Live Twice as a call-back to Blofeld’s penchant for secret bases.

The story evolved to explore the interpersonal connection between Bond and Blofeld. In the short story Octopussy, Bond refers to a man called Oberhauser who taught him how to ski and became a “father figure”. Spectre’s story saw the orphaned Bond – referring back to events in Skyfall – sent to Austria to live with Oberhauser and his son Franz. Bond becomes the golden boy that fosters a deep-rooted hatred in Franz. Franz kills his father, fakes his own death and reinvents himself as Ernst Stavro Blofeld, hellbent on destroying 007 for all the anguish he inflicted on him as a child.

“I thought that was a really cool idea that both unlocked a section of Bond’s past but also linked him to all the various sources of his pain, as Blofeld puts it,” said director Sam Mendes, the events of Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall now revealed to be part of Blofeld’s masterplan.

To play Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Mendes cast Christoph Waltz, best known for playing intelligent villainous roles for Quentin Tarantino in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, both of which won him Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor.

“We were trying to find somebody who was the right age, the right look”, says Mendes. “I like very much that moment in Rome when Bond first sees him from behind and feels like he recognised him and Blofeld senses someone looking at him and kind of twitches. That sense of I know who this person is. That was something I was trying to construct, a figure who has known Bond for years and observed him from afar and been behind everything which, for me, is the nature of the supervillain, someone who is really pulling the strings.”

As the leader of SPECTRE, Blofeld is creating and manipulating global surveillance alliance the Nine Eyes programme as a means of accessing high level intelligence. As Bond’s foster brother, Blofeld is determined to inflict maximum agony, torturing Bond at his Saharan Crater Facility by drilling into his brain – 007 escapes via his explosive wristwatch – and then by attempting to blow him up in the ruins of the SIS building.

In No Time To Die, Blofeld is incarcerated in Belmarsh prison but still manages to control SPECTRE via a hi-tech ocular implant. Following the assassination of every SPECTRE operative by Safin (Rami Malek), Blofeld became the sole remaining member of the organisation and Bond is sent to interrogate him in his cell.

“We struggled with that scene,” recalled Daniel Craig. “I wanted it to get very personal very quickly and I wanted them to talk to each other like brothers. I had a rush of inspiration one night and – pretty badly – wrote an outline and gave it to Phoebe [Waller-Bridge]. I think I’ve got pretty good ideas. My writing is not good, it’s okay but on No Time To Die I could write things down, then sit with Phoebe and she improved it no end.”

The finished scene culminates with Blofeld revealing he was behind the assassination attempt at Vesper Lynd (Eva Green)’s grave, framing it as a betrayal by Bond’s partner Madeleine Swann (LĂ©a Seydoux). An enraged Bond strangles Blofeld only to pull back but unwittingly infecting the criminal mastermind with deadly nanobots that spread a killer virus with the slightest touch. 

The death of Blofeld in No Time To Die is the culmination of a seven film series that charts a thrilling game of cat and mouse between two well matched opponents. As Spectre screenwriter John Logan once said: “Like Holmes needs his Moriarty, Bond needs his Blofeld.” In becoming Bond’s arch-enemy, the enigmatic, Machiavellian nemesis has cemented his place as one of the great villains in movie history.

Day Of The Dead At Burlington Arcade

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Join us to celebrate Day of the Dead at The 007, Burlington Arcade on Thursday 31 October through Saturday 2 November. 

Brought to life in Spectre’s epic opening sequence, the Day of the Dead festival makes its way from the heart of Mexico City to London’s Mayfair with special activities and surprises over all three floors of The 007. 

Feast on spicy Day of the Dead cocktails and delicious Mexican snacks at the bar, served by staff wearing authentic costumes and accessories from the EON archive. See original handmade props from the parade scene, and head upstairs to the 007 Boutique to find an exclusive Dia de Muertos 2024 collectors poster, available from Thursday to Saturday.  

The 007 Bar & Boutique, 12-13 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 0QJ.

Rolls-Royce’s Phantom Goldfinger Is Revealed

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Rolls-Royce have unveiled their one-of-one Phantom Goldfinger, inspired by Auric Goldfinger’s Phantom III Sedanca de Ville from the 1964 film.

Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the third James Bond adventure, Goldfinger’s iconography and plot are explored within the motor car through a range of bespoke features.

The striking two-tone design has been colour-matched to the original Phantom used in the film, while The Spirit of Ecstasy at the prow of Phantom Goldfinger has a unique finish which  is a subtle reference to the film’s gold-smuggling story.

Considered elements within the interior include a hidden vault containing a solid 18-carat ‘Speedform’ gold bar and a gold-plated putter encased in the boot, in homage to Bond’s first encounter with Goldfinger during a round of golf at Stoke Park. The inside of the glovebox is debossed with Goldfinger’s iconic quote: “This is Gold, Mr Bond. All my life, I have been in love with its colour, its brilliance, its divine heaviness.”

The internal centrepiece is a hand-drawn, stainless steel artwork in the Phantom’s gallery depicting an isoline map of the contours of Switzerland’s Furka Pass, the legendary road pivotal to the plot.

 

 

007 x Fabergé Designs Announced

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Two new Fabergé creations have been revealed, celebrating the worlds of Goldfinger and Octopussy. 

The Goldfinger Egg Safe Locket takes inspiration from the Fort Knox gold depository in the 1964 film. Handcrafted in 18k yellow gold, the egg-shaped pendant opens to reveal a responsibly mined heart-shaped ruby dripping with gold. The locket’s opening mechanism is a world first for the luxury jeweller.

The Octopussy Ring is a statement design crafted from 18k gold, detailed with white diamond suckers and tentacles wrapping the finger, while inside the band is a hidden ruby, known only to the wearer. This is the third item in the Octopussy capsule collection, joining the Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket, and Octopussy Egg Objet – read more about these pieces here.

Discover the full 007 x Fabergé range at The 007 Boutique, Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London, W1J 0QJ and at 007Store.com.

Aston Martin’s DB12 Goldfinger Edition

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Aston Martin have revealed their new DB12 Goldfinger Edition.

Commemorating the third film’s 60th anniversary, the first to feature an Aston Martin, the DB12 Goldfinger Edition is limited to just 60 cars and celebrates the long-standing partnership between the luxury car manufacturer and 007. 

Designed by Q by Aston Martin, the marque’s bespoke personalisation service, the DB12 Goldfinger Edition, incorporates subtle touches from Goldfinger, including its iconic Silver Birch paint colour presentation, striking 21” multi-spoke wheels with a diamond treatment finish, bespoke gold side strakes, and 18k Gold Plated interior accents.

The cars also feature a Prince of Wales check perforation pattern, a nod to a classic Bond suit, with this pattern mirrored on the door inserts, headliner and a unique etched treadplate. The car is crowned with a bright chrome ‘Q’ fender badge, emblazoned with a unique Aston Martin logo in silver with a black enamel, and adorned with a Goldfinger 60th logo plaque.

Goldfinger celebrated its 60th anniversary on 17 September, with commemorations extending until the end of 2024. Aston Martin previously hosted The House of Q pop-up at Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade to mark the 60th earlier this summer, a space that has now been transformed into The 007 bar and boutique which also takes inspiration from Sean Connery’s third adventure as James Bond (open until 31 December).

James Bond Style Book By Assouline

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After the success of the James Bond Destinations book, Assouline has launched James Bond Style, a large format coffee table book with never-before-seen sketches and detailed fashion analysis.

Throughout the 328 pages, James Bond Style takes readers through 25 films and over 60 years worth of costume design, for not just 007 himself, but also his nemeses, love interests, and colleagues. James Bond Style includes direction and insight from Academy-Award winner and five-time 007 costume designer Lindy Hemming.

The book includes an introduction from the editor-in-chief of the London Standard newspaper, Dylan Jones, and features stories and insights from the designers behind many of the outfits, from Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, and Jenny Packham.

James Bond Style is available now in hardback at 007Store.com priced at ÂŁ100.

007’s Car Gadgets

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Over the course of twenty-five films, James Bond has been behind the wheel of some of the fastest and stylish cars in the history of big screen driving. From small accouterments — the ability to drop tacks to slow a pursuer down — or huge transformations — turning a road vehicle into a submarine — the Q’s car gadgets of 007 have saved Bond in a crisis on numerous occasions, becoming a constant source of delight for audiences since 1964’s Goldfinger.  

Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger (1964)

Expected to be reunited with his trusted Bentley, Bond (Sean Connery) is surprised to be gifted an Aston Martin DB5 by Q (Desmond Llewelyn) boasting a plethora of hidden extras. The idea of an Aston Martin full of gizmos appeared in Ian Fleming’s novel but was souped up by production designer Ken Adam. “I had a Jaguar which was continuously being damaged by people parking badly,” he recalled. “Having guns at the back of the Aston Martin and the overriders becoming like boxing gloves and so on became part of me releasing my frustrations.”

Q Fact: Front mounted machine guns hidden behind the indicator lights; revolving licence plates valid for England, France and Switzerland (this idea came from director Guy Hamilton who fantasised about escaping parking tickets); a high-powered oil jet; rear smoke screen; revolving tyre slasher; onboard radar display; a weapons panel in the centre armrest; and, most famously of all, an ejector seat operated by a button hidden in the knob of the gear stick – in Skyfall, Bond threatens to use it on M (Judi Dench).

Aston Martin DB5 in Thunderball (1965)

A star after Goldfinger, the Aston Martin DB5 returned for Bond’s fourth outing. The car plays a pivotal role in an escape from Jacques Boitier’s chateau and a high velocity chase with Fiona Volpe (Luciana Paluzzi).

Q Fact: The hero gadget on display is a water cannon concealed in the rear of the car that keeps the pursuing henchmen at bay.

Aston Martin DBS in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

A new Bond (George Lazenby) gets a new car that plays a prominent part in the beginning of the film (Bond rescuing Tracy) and its tragic finale. The car is seen being repaired in Q’s workshop in Diamonds Are Forever.

Q Fact: A telescopic rifle built into the glove department.

Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Known as ‘Wet Nellie’, an underwater counterpart to Q’s gyrocopter ‘Little Nellie’, the Lotus Esprit spirits Bond (Roger Moore) and Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) away from Stromberg’s henchman, turning into a speedy submarine at the flick of a switch. “The Lotus Esprit lent itself beautifully with that very streamlined body to work as a submarine,” says production designer Ken Adam. Although the car jumped off a jetty in Sardinia, the underwater Lotus was shot in the clearer waters of the Bahamas. “It was quite amusing because a couple of times we were filming underwater, we nearly got run over by the motorised Lotus,” recalled special effects designer Derek Meddings.

Q Fact: On the road, the car unleashes cannons from behind the number plate that spray cement on the windscreens of chasing vehicles. Beneath the sea, the wheel arches transform into fins and propellers extend from the back. Bond navigates via a small periscope and uses front mounted rockets, limpet mines and radar guided surface to air missiles to see off assailants. None of this surprises Russian spy Anya — she had previously stolen blueprints for the car.

Lotus Esprit Turbo in For Your Eyes Only (1981)

After a break in Moonraker, the Lotus Esprit returned in Roger Moore’s third outing. A film that dialed back on the hardware, the Lotus still had an explosive gizmo in its arsenal.

Q Fact: As Cuban hitman Gonzales’ goons attempt to break into the stationary Lotus, smashing the window activates an explosive device that blows the thugs into oblivion. Perhaps they should have paid attention to the ‘Burglar Protected’ sticker. 

Aston Martin V8 in The Living Daylights (1987)

“We had changed Bond’s car over the years but we thought that as we were introducing a new Bond, we’d bring back the classic Aston Martin, a real bonus for many Bond fans,” said co-writer and producer Michael. G. Wilson. Picking up with musician Kara Milovy (Maryam d’Abo), 007 (Timothy Dalton) employs the car’s breadth of gadgetry to evade the KGB and Czech police, before sliding into Austria on a cello case.

Q Fact: Laser beam tyre slashers (an upgrade on Goldfinger) that remove a police car from its axle; retractable skis and spiked tyres; a police band radio; bullet proof windows; rockets behind the fog lights (the missile display is on the front windscreen); and a rocket booster that allows Bond to jump over a blockade. Like the For Your Eyes Only’s Lotus, the V8 also has the capacity to self-destruct to avoid falling into enemy hands.  

Aston Martin DB5 in GoldenEye (1995)

The DB5 made a triumphant return, with Bond playing a thrilling cat and mouse chase with Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen), then pulling up in true 007 style outside a Monte Carlo casino.

Q Fact: Q’s gadgetry here is perhaps best described as practical. A fax machine in the dashboard and a cellular voice communication system. There is also a refrigerated compartment for a chilled bottle of Bollinger.

BMW 750IL in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

The BMW 750IL might be the most gadget laden car in the series’ history, coming into its own when Bond has to escape from a German car park in the Atlantic hotel.

Q Fact: Rockets that come out of the sun roof; tyres that re-inflate themselves; a chain cutter that emerges from the bonnet; bullet-proof glass and bodywork; an electronic defence system that emits a 20,000 volt shock; magnetic flash grenades; a tear gas mechanism; a metal spike dispenser; and a safe concealed in the glove compartment.

But the most impressive state of art technology is the ability to drive the BMW with a remote control from an Ericsson cell phone, allowing Bond to steer it from the comfort and safety of the back seat. “We had 17 BMW 750ILs in aspic silver”, said special effects technician Chris Corbould. “Four were adapted to what is called ‘Hidden Driver Car’ to give the effect that Bond is using the remote control.”

BMW Z8 in The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Given an introduction to the car by Q’s assistant (John Cleese), the Z8 transports Bond from the oil pipeline in Azerbaijan to a caviar factory on the Caspian Sea where it meets a sticky demise.

Q Fact: A remote control keychain allowing 007 the ability to start the engine from a distance and two masked ground-to-air missiles. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the arsenal to stop it being cut in half by a rotating blade dangling from a helicopter.

 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish in Die Another Day (2002)

Playfully nicknamed the Vanish by Q because of its adaptive camouflage mode that made it practically invisible.

“When we suggested it originally, we weren’t sure anyone would go for it,” said screenwriter Robert Wade. “The idea is that in Iceland or in the desert, when there’s not much contrast in the background, it’s invisible but in an urban environment, you’d be able to see it.” Co-writer Neal Purvis added, “Q says, ‘It’s as good as invisible’. It’s a camouflage, not a cloaking device.”

Q Fact: Beyond invisibility, the car also featured thermal imaging (dispensed from the CD player); target seeking shotguns; machine guns; and torpedoes that come in handy when Bond is chased across a frozen lake in Iceland by General Zao (Rick Yune). Bond also niftily deploys the ejector seat to flip the car the right way up when it is skidding along on its roof. Spiked wheels also allow 007 to stick to a cavern wall to avoid Zao’s charging Jaguar.

Aston Martin DB5 in Casino Royale (2006)

M sends alias passports, a weapon and Q’s newest Aston Martin DB5 to Bond in Montenegro. The car comes to a spectacular demise in pursuit of Le Chiffre, flipping seven times after swerving. The stunt achieved a Guinness World Record for the most cannon rolls in a car, performed by stuntman Adam Kirley at Millbrook Proving Ground, Milton Keynes.

Q Fact: A secret compartment housing Bond’s Walther PPK plus a small defibrillator and medical kit that, in a tense few moments, saves 007’s life after being drugged in Casino Royale.

Aston Martin DB10 in Spectre (2015)

Specifically developed by Aston Martin who created ten cars for the film, the DB10 was reassigned from 007 to 009 due to Bond’s unsanctioned mission in Mexico. Bond steals the car and heads to Rome on the trail of The Pale King and is pursued in a high-speed chase by Hinx (Dave Bautista) in a Jaguar C-X75. But, new to the car, Bond has to escape Hinx while negotiating an unknown set of gadgets.

Q Fact: Rear machine guns operated by the BACKFIRE button and a rear windscreen targeting device — only to discover the car has no ammunition. The EXHAUST button unleashes rear flamethrowers that slow down Hinx’s progress while an AIR button initiates a combined ejector seat and parachute that lifts Bond to safety as the car soars into the river. But perhaps most surprising is the ATMOSPHERE switch which plays a pre-loaded playlist for 009 so in the heat of the chase, Bond is faced with the opening strains of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York.

Aston Martin DB5 (2021) in No Time To Die

For Daniel Craig’s final outing, Bond was reunited with the classic Aston Martin DB5, speeding with Madeleine Swann (LĂ©a Seydoux) through the hilltop town of Matera, before being cornered in an ancient town square.

Q Fact: The DB5’s gadgetry has come a long way since Bond’s first Aston Martin in 1964. Among the updates are LED screen revolving number plates; mini mines that scatter from the boot; and thousand-round-a-minute guns behind the headlights. “I was very keen to have a big end moment,” says production special effects supervisor Chris Corbould. “So we came up with the idea of donutting around, spraying bullets 360 degrees, shredding walls and buildings. Bond hits the smokescreen and it completely fills the square in seconds, which gives him the opportunity to get away.”

007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond at Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is open until 27 October 2024.

Bond In Motion at the International Spy Museum is open until April 2025.

007 Action launches in Vienna on September 7th 2024 at METAstadt Convention Centre.

James Bond Day 2024

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Happy James Bond Day! 5 October marks the annual celebration of cinema’s most beloved MI6 agent.

When our original James Bond, Sean Connery, made his legendary entrance at the casino table, introducing himself to Sylvia Trench (Eunice Gayson) as Bond, James Bond,” a new screen icon was introduced. His gritty portrayal of the charismatic secret agent is, without a doubt, a key factor of the success of the film series, along with an intoxicating mix of cast, great story arc, exotic locations, and magical music. The success of Dr. No began a new genre of filmmaking for cinema audiences worldwide.

                                                                                         – Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli

Beginning in 2012, during the franchise’s 50th anniversary, 5 October was selected as the celebration day marking the UK premiere of Dr. No in 1962. The golden commemorations included the release of Skyfall, and the creation of the insider documentary Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007, now available to watch on Prime Video.

For the month of October, all 25 movies will also be available to stream on the platform alongside 2022’s 60th anniversary documentary The Sound of 007, which chronicles the films’ legendary soundtracks and iconic James Bond themes.

New for 2024 on Prime Video will be four mini-documentaries: 007 Destinations, 007 Action: With Chris Corbould, 007 Design and 007 DB5: Celebrating 60 Years. 

There is also a unique 007 experience this year for fans to enjoy at Burlington Arcade, Mayfair. The 007, is a brand new bar and boutique featuring signature cocktails, curated Goldfinger archive props and exclusive collectibles to purchase. Special activations will be happening across the weekend to celebrate James Bond Day. The 007 will be open until 31 December 2024.

Champagne Bollinger Goldfinger Limited Edition

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Champagne Bollinger have released their new Goldfinger 007 Limited Edition Cuvée.

The Goldfinger branded magnum of 2007 vintage Bollinger champagne is being released to commemorate the Sean Connery-starring film’s 60th anniversary, and is available in an edition of 200 numbered units.

Presented in a bespoke Globe-Trotter Air Cabin Case, the magnum also comes with four bespoke Bollinger champagne 007 glasses, making this a true collector’s item. 

The Goldfinger 007 Limited Edition Cuvée is available in-store at The 007 boutique in Burlington Arcade, and online at 007Store. The Cuvée is also available by the glass at The 007 bar, alongside other Bollinger champagnes. The 007 is located at House 12-13 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 0QJ from 18 September to 31 December 2024. Opening hours are 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday.

The Goldfinger Gallery

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Following on from Dr. No and From Russia With Love, Goldfinger became James Bond’s third big screen adventure, pitting 007 (Sean Connery) against Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe), one of the world’s wealthiest men, who is planning Operation Grand Slam, a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve to increase the value of his own bullion. To celebrate the film’s sixtieth anniversary, enjoy this collection of behind-the-scenes images, documents, concept art and posters from the EON archive.

Seagull Surprise

Bond’s entry into Goldfinger sees him infiltrate a Latin American drug warehouse, emerging from the water with a seagull on his head (the waterfront was constructed on the water tank at Pinewood studios). In Ian Fleming’s novel, the mission was presented as a flashback beginning with Bond walking into a club. Original screenwriter Paul Dehn extended the sequence to show 007 coming out of the sea, scaling a wall and planting explosives. 

We Have Some Notes

Dated 3 February 1963, just five weeks before filming began, Richard Maibaum’s script notes reveal a script conference with the writer, Cubby Broccoli and Sean Connery, held in Los Angeles where the actor was shooting Hitchcock’s Marnie. The transcript reveals not only the highly collaborative nature of the process but also Connery’s intuitive grasp of tone, sharing concerns the current draft is too joke heavy and light.

Painted Lady

Bond wakes up from being knocked unconscious by Oddjob (Harold Sakata) and discovers Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton), Goldfinger’s personal assistant, painted head to toe in gold, killed by skin asphyxiation.

After the make-up dept experimented with different paints to see what would work under the hot lights, the scene was shot on April 20. The gold was applied with a paintbrush by make-up artist Paul Rabiger and it took around 90 minutes to apply. There was no paint on Eaton’s front, allowing her skin to breathe.

“I did feel hot and uncomfortable,” remembered Shirley Eaton, “but (director) Guy Hamilton was very considerate of me. He got it done very quickly and the two shots were done in one morning.”

The scene became one of the iconic images in the series and was homaged in Quantum Of Solace when agent Strawberry Fields (Gemma Arterton) was killed in a similar fashion but with crude oil.

Bond To A Tee

Bond and Goldfinger battle it out in the most under-handed golf game ever filmed. The stakes between Bond and Goldfinger start small – “Shall we make it a shilling a hole?” suggests Bond – but soon escalates when 007 drops a bar of lost gold onto the green.

The Stoke Poges golf course was only a ten-minute drive from Pinewood Studios but the shoot was plagued by five days of bad weather. A different kind of duel took place as Connery and Fröbe engaged in a mock swordfight with golf clubs as the cast and crew waited for the conditions to improve. The scene played squarely to Connery’s passion for the game.

“The great joke about him was his absolute obsession with golf,” recalled Honor Blackman, who played Pussy Galore. “He was mad about it. A real addict. The rest of us had to steer him away from the subject or he’d go on for hours, giving us a ball-by-ball replay.”

The scene also provided an opportunity to show the threat posed by Goldfinger’s manservant Oddjob (Harold Sakata), firstly by crushing a golf ball in one hand and then by decapitating a statue by flinging his bowler hat. The moment was created by a series of shots captured at both Stoke Poges and in the gardens at Pinewood, stitched seamlessly together by editor Peter Hunt.

Taking The High Road

Following the golf duel, Bond tracks Goldfinger to Switzerland using a homing device hidden in the bullion dealer’s Rolls-Royce Phantom III. Guy Hamilton scouted for locations in a single weekend, looking for a winding road where Bond tails Goldfinger. The location at the Furka pass allowed Hamilton to create three separate planes of action with Bond being targeted by Tilly Masterson (Tania Mallet) while he is looking at Goldfinger. The Switzerland shoot was delayed not only by inclement weather but also by the clutch on the Aston Martin burning out, resulting in some hasty repairs.

The Tables Are Turned

The torture of Bond by Goldfinger, with 007 strapped to a laser table, was the first scene shot with Connery and Fröbe. The initial idea was to utilise a real laser but the pencil thin line disappeared under the powerful studio lights. While the laser’s beam was added in later optically, an acetylene torch actually cut through gold sheets (actually cut made with brass) mounted on an electrically operated unit underneath the table.

Positively Shocking Pages

The climax of Goldfinger takes place in Fort Knox as Bond thwarts Goldfinger’s Operation Grand Slam. Production designer Ken Adam meticulously recreated the exterior of Fort Knox in Black Park, an outside space adjacent to the back lot, while a more fanciful interior was created in the studio. 

The scene involved intricate fight choreography between 007 and henchman Oddjob. The script had Bond attack Bond with a forklift truck loaded with gold bars but Hamilton wanted something more. The final death scene sees Bond throw Oddjob’s steel rimmed hat that gets stuck between the bars in a grille, then electrocuting the henchman with a live wire as he goes to retrieve his bowler.

“Harold grabbed the hat and all the bang bangs were set off,” recalled Hamilton. “The bang bangs were very well done and very spectacular and I was intrigued. And the only timing I remember was that when the effects started to die, I will say ‘Harold’, and then he could fall down dead. The effects were rather fun and were going on so I didn’t say ‘Harold’ for quite a time. Eventually as they started to die down, I said, ‘Harold’, and then he – doink! – did a very spectacular fall.” 

Works Of Art

Goldfinger had its royal premiere in London at the Odeon Leicester Square on September 17 1964 (Honor Blackman called it “the most glamorous night of my life”). Released later in the US on Christmas Day, the film opened in 64 cinemas where it recouped its $3 million budget in just two weeks. The film went onto gross almost $125 million worldwide, breaking box office records globally.

Key to the film’s success was its poster campaign. The UK posters saw designer Robert Brownjohn riff on his title sequences, using Margaret Nolan rather than Shirley Eaton as the ‘golden girl’. The French poster design focused on the battles between Bond and Oddjob, while the Japanese poster puts 007 front and centre surrounded by key scenes from the film. 

The 2024 Advent Calendar Is Unveiled

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Seven decades, seven drawers, seven exclusive collectibles. The James Bond 2024 Advent Calendar is revealed, released in a limited edition of just 1,000 and only available to order at 007Store.com and The 007 Boutique at the Burlington Arcade, Mayfair.

This luxury calendar is the ultimate festive gift and features seven drawers of Bond-inspired designs to open in Christmas week. With a combined retail value of over £350, the unique numbered exclusives, collectibles and collaborations take you on a journey through James Bond’s 25 film history, moving through each decade, from Dr. No (1962) to No Time To Die (2021).

Reserve yours now at 007Store.com or The 007 Boutique. 

24 Carat Gold For Goldfinger

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As part of the Goldfinger anniversary celebrations, British car kit makers Agora Models announce a precious limited edition 24 ct gold-plated Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 in 1:8 scale. With just seven models being created, the car will come complete with some of 007’s most famous gadgets, including functioning ejector seat and revolving number plate.

Made in collaboration with Eon Productions and Aston Martin, the meticulously detailed car will be available as a luxury self-build kit or complete model. 

The replica began with laser scanning of the original full-size Goldfinger car with hundreds of photos taken to capture every detail, including the engine, chassis, dashboard and gadgets. Up to 250 moulds were then created – each weighing well over a tonne – and painstakingly tested before final production began. The gold-plated body is made with 24 ct fairmined gold worked by specialists in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter and each car is individually certificated.

Discover an arsenal of functioning gadgets as designed by Q: ejector seat with removable roof panel, twin front-mounted Browning machine guns, bulletproof screen, tyre slashers, oil slick jets, revolving number plates, gadget control panel, radar tracker screen, weapons tray, extending over-rider rams.

Priced at ÂŁ24,999 ($29,999; €29,999), the 24 ct gold model is currently on display at The 007, Burlington Mayfair and available to view at agoramodels.com. Due to a high volume of interest, Agora has a special ordering system with successful purchasers being notified from 5 October 2024, James Bond Day. Find full details on their website here.  Â