60 years ago the best film in the James Bond saga was released in theaters

60 years ago the best film in the James Bond saga was released in theaters



The first summit of the saga

On September 17, 1964, Gold finger made its world premiere in London. Third work in the 007 saga, which began in 1962 with James Bond 007 vs Doctor Nquickly followed by Good kisses from RussiaThis new film directed by Guy Hamilton and starring Sean Connery makes the Scottish actor a superstar and pushes the franchise to new heights. In it, James Bond is tasked with discovering how Auric Goldfinger, a gold bullion dealer, organizes his global contraband trade. In the chase he will have many adventures in England, Switzerland and the United States. Only to discover that Goldfinger, in reality, was undercover for a spectacular robbery at Fort Knox a much more Machiavellian plan

Gold finger
Goldfinger ©MGM

Upon his release, the criticism is unanimous. It is the best James Bond film to date, and the public agrees: it is released en masse in theaters and becomes a huge commercial success. Goldfinger then broke a record, that of the most profitable film with over 10.3 million dollars in revenue collected in two weeks, three times more than the estimated production budget of 3 million dollars. At the end of its exploitation, it brings in more than $125 million.

The perfect James Bond

Sean Connery shines in his role as Agent 007, more fascinating and lethal than ever. At only 34 years old, he imposes himself on the biggest stars of his time. The rest of the cast is in tune: the German actor Gert Fröbe plays an exceptional villain, ferocious and megalomaniac, the famous “Goldfinger”. Their confrontation is a cult moment in cinema and culminates in a torture session that has remained famous for its lines: “Do you expect me to talk? – No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.

As for the female cast, Honor Blackman plays a “James Bond Girl” with an unheard of consistency, first allying herself with Goldfinger and then giving in to the charm of James Bond. Called Pussy Galore, the actress shows off the “sexyness” of Gold finger on an unprecedented level. Even the other female characters, although they do not survive long into the film’s story, sisters Jill (Shirley Eaton) and Tilly (Tania Mallet) Masterson, shine during the memorable post-credits opening and the equally memorable race-and-ride chase in the Swiss Alps, respectively.

We wouldn’t be complete if we forgot Goldfinger’s terrifying and mysterious henchman, Strange work (Harold Sakata), a mute brute with a hat with a metal brim as sharp as a blade, which he uses as a frisbee lethal.

Gadgets in the spotlight

Much more than inside James Bond 007 vs Doctor N OR Good kisses from Russiagadgets are in the spotlight. In particular theAston Martin DB5 modifiedthat Q (Desmond Llewelyn) entrusts to James Bond during a fun sequence in the MI6 premises. Revolving license plates, location system, traps and built-in machine guns, and above all an ejection seat… This car, like the Batmobile or the flying DeLorean, is one of the most iconic vehicles in the history of cinema.

Gold finger
Goldfinger ©MGM

Unforgettable music

For the song taken from the already famous theme song of the James Bond saga, it is Shirley Bassey who puts his voice on a composition of John BarryThe lyrics to the song “Goldfinger,” about the film’s villain, were written without lyricists Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley having seen a single image of him. Gold fingersimply informed of the tragic fate of Jill Masterson, victim of Goldfinger who kills her by painting her entire naked body in gold. Today, if Adele’s song “Skyfall” for Falling Sky Sam Mendes competes very seriously with him, Gold finger remains considered one of the greatest compositions of the 007 saga, if not the best.

Daniel Craig’s groundbreaking tribute

If, by his own admission, Daniel Craig’s films have been difficult for the actor, acclaimed for his version of James Bond, this difficulty stems from Sean Connery’s Deconstruction of the Icon in his six films, and especially in Gold finger AND Operation ThunderThe model of heroism and masculinity that Sean Connery embodied then is precisely the one that Daniel Craig must finally free himself from, 40 years later. Operation Thunder, modernize and revolutionize the character inside Royal Casino. Madly in love, eager to resign himself, more fallible and much less invincible, his James Bond is the polar opposite – but equally fascinating – of the one played by Sean Connery.

In the 25 official films of the saga we can always prefer a particular action sequence, or a particular character, a particular gadget, a particular piece of music. But overall, in its entirety and in its cinematic effort, Gold finger remains the perfect model of the James Bond film, as well as being an excellent detective thriller. This permanently consolidated and perfected the basis of all James Bond films, with the exception of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the Daniel Craig cycle -, and the films of Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan can be seen as more or less academic variations on this model.

And if today Royal Casino AND Falling Sky are rightly often cited as the best James Bond films ever made, it should be remembered that they would not exist without those that preceded them, and that among these the intrinsic quality and legacy of Gold finger are more than considerable. Enough to give it the crown of best James Bond film? Definitely.

Source: Cine Serie

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