Goldfinger
Synopsis
James Bond is assigned to investigate one of the wealthiest men in the world, Auric Goldfinger, who is suspected of smuggling England’s gold reserves. Goldfinger’s greed is exceeded only by his disrespect for human life. Bond, aided by Goldfinger’s secretary Jill Masterson, catches Goldfinger cheating at cards. In retaliation, Goldfinger has Jill Masterson killed by smothering her with gold paint. The dead girl’s sister Tilly is also killed, when she follows Goldfinger to Switzerland and attempts revenge. Bond is captured by Goldfinger’s huge manservant Oddjob, and almost killed by a deadly laser beam. Drugged, 007 finds himself on Goldfinger’s private jet being flown to America where Goldfinger plans to contaminate the Fort Knox gold increasing the value of his own gold. Bond, Pussy Galore and her flying circus thwart Goldfinger’s plot.
Cast
Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gert Fröbe, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallet, Harold Sakata, Bernard Lee, Martin Benson, Cec Linder, Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewelyn
Producers
Harry Saltzman
Albert R. Broccoli
Director
Guy Hamilton
Release Date
17 September 1964 (UK)
22 December 1964 (USA)
World Premiere
17 September 1964, Odeon Leicester Square, London
Locations
Switzerland; Kentucky and Miami, USA, Pinewood Studios, Stoke Poges and London, UK
Music
“Goldfinger” – performed by Shirley Bassey, music composed and arranged by John Barry, song lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Vehicles
Bond’s silver birch Aston Martin DB5; Goldfinger’s 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III; Lockheed Jet Star plane (Goldfinger’s private jet and Presidential jet); Mr. Solo’s 1964 Lincoln Continental; Oddjob’s Ford Ranchero; Leiter’s 1964 Convertible Ford Thunderbird; Tilly Masterson’s Convertible Ford Mustang (known as T-5 in Europe); Pussy Galore’s Hiller 12E4 helicopter; Lockheed US VC-140B (military VIP version of the JetStar); US Army ambulance (mobile platform for Goldfinger’s industrial laser gun)
Gadgets/Weapons/Technology
- Walther PPK 7.65mm
- Goldfinger’s gold plated revolver
- Aston Martin DB5 laden with gadgets. Production designer Ken Adam’s fantasy ‘extras’ includes hydraulic over-riders used as battering rams, front-mounted machine guns concealed behind the indicator lights, a bullet-proof shield to protect the rear window, revolving licence plates valid in England, France and Switzerland, concealed in the rear light clusters, a high-powered oil jet and a device that dispensed nails, rear smoke screen, revolving tyre slasher that emerge from hub of rear wheel, mobile phone concealed within the driver’s door panel, a weapons tray underneath the driver’s seat, on-board radar display screen for tracking, a weapons control panel concealed within the centre arm rest, a passenger ejector seat with button hidden in top of gear stick
- Grappling gun
- Homer device
- Industrial laser
- Metal brimmed bowler hat
- Atomic bomb
- Nerve gas canisters
- Seagull snorkel
Trivia
Aston Martin loaned the filmmakers the first ever development prototype of the DB5, which they subsequently cut out part of the roof to make the famous ejector seat stunt work
The DB5’s revolving numberplate was an idea of director Guy Hamilton after he received multiple parking tickets in London
Hamilton was told by Gert Fröbe’s agent that he could speak perfect English. On his first day of filming it became apparent that he could not, and so actor Michael Collins was brought in during post-production to dub over Fröbe
The inside of Fort Knox had rarely been seen, and so it was initially decided the film’s fight would take place outside the building. Cubby Broccoli insisted the film enter the building, and said he wanted the interior to resemble a ‘cathedral of gold’
Three weeks prior to release, a crew of three, including Guy Hamilton and Cubby Broccoli, travelled to Fort Knox to film some last-minute shots, including one of a squad of soldiers falling dead
A very young Michael G. Wilson, current co-producer of EON’s Bond films had his film debut as an extra when Pussy Galore’s planes are taking off. He also doubled for Sean Connery in the back of an army truck when the team shot in Fort Knox
