GOLDFINGER (1964)

The Unenthusiastic Critic knows no 007 but Daniel Craig, so this week we're putting our marital Bonds to the test with a viewing of 1964's Goldfinger.

First, we're looking at the James Bond phenomenon as a whole, discussing the various actors who have played 007, and trying to narrow in on just what exactly it is Nakea looks for in a leading man.

Then, we're sitting down for The Unenthusiastic Critic's first screening of the quintessential Bond adventure, as Nakea takes issue with the use of women as human shields, the inexplicable "dickmotizing" powers of Sean Connery, and the staggering inefficiency of retractable, three-dimensional floor-maps in a super-villain's lair.

Program

—0:00: Prologue: Interview with Sean Connery, 1983
—1:23: Pre-Viewing Discussion: Bond Movies and Leading Men
—27:09: Scene from Goldfinger
—27:55: The Verdict: Post-Viewing Discussion of Goldfinger
—1:23:01: Outro and Next Week's Movies
—1:24:13: Outtake

Notes and Links

—Film discussed: Goldfinger (dir. Guy Hamilton, MGM, 1964).
—1983 Interview with Sean Connery available here.
—Articles on Bond: "Novel Man," William Cook, New Statesman; "The Playboy Interview: Ian Fleming," Playboy; "Sex, Snobbery, and Sadism," Paul Johnson, New Statesman; "The Tragedy of James Bond," Laurie Penny, New Statesman.
—Rankings of Bond Movies: Collider, ScreenRant, ScreenCrush, Time Out, Rolling Stone. 
—For more of Michael's thoughts on James Bond, read his 2012 review of Skyfall
—Listen to additional episodes and read The Unenthusiastic Critic in prose form at unaffiliatedcritic.comEmail us, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. (Suggestions of movies to watch for future episodes are welcome.)
—Theme Music: "Warm Duck Shuffle" by Arne Huseby, licensed under CC BY 3.0.

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1 thought on “GOLDFINGER (1964)”

  1. I'm left uncertain where Michael lands on the film after this viewing/discussion.

    You guys left out that the plan that Goldfinger lays out with the big map to the guys he immediately kills is the FAKE plan.

    James Bond movies are all terrible. Except for Goldeneye.

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