28 replies to this topic

[[dark]]

I was watching Goldfinger last night with my girlfriend (the second Bond film she's ever watched after Casino Royale, which nearly destroyed our relationship after she feel asleep during the final third) and I was struck by the sheer brilliance of the dawn raid on Fort Knox.

Ignore the Fort Knox guards' implausible deception (Goldfinger very nearly succeeds with his plan) - it's a truly thrilling scene. You nearly believe the scheme will be successful.

Every element is pitched perfectly. There's some gorgeous camera work to be found, especially during the aerial shots. And Fort Knox is wonderfully used as a location. Special mention also to John Barry's amazing score - tense, epic and brilliantly Bondian.

Is there a more exciting sequence in Bond film history?

[Kristian]

I was watching Goldfinger last night with my girlfriend (the second Bond film she's ever watched after Casino Royale, which nearly destroyed our relationship after she feel asleep during the final third) and I was struck by the sheer brilliance of the dawn raid on Fort Knox.

Ignore the Fort Knox guards' implausible deception (Goldfinger very nearly succeeds with his plan) - it's a truly thrilling scene. You nearly believe the scheme will be successful.

Every element is pitched perfectly. There's some gorgeous camera work to be found, especially during the aerial shots. And Fort Knox is wonderfully used as a location. Special mention also to John Barry's amazing score - tense, epic and brilliantly Bondian.

Is there a more exciting sequence in Bond film history?

Oh, yes. Plenty.

Edited by Kristian, 03 November 2008 - 04:48 PM.

[Mister E]

As much as I love GF, the dawn raid has never impressed me. The theme did though.

[crheath]

It was entertaining, though not my favorite scene in the movie. Great Barry score.

[Mr_Wint]

I agree, it is a great scene. Well directed and fantastic music from Barry.

It is especially good when we go inside Fort Knox. There is a great moment when Goldfinger say "Goodbye... Mr Bond" just before they send him down with the elevator. Love this! The look on Bond's face is priceless.

[Harmsway]

It's a great scene, to be sure. Barry's music has to be credited with much of the effect.

The only thing I don't really like is the portable laser. Just seems like an unnecessary bit of impractical silliness, as if using the laser for the scene early in the film wasn't enough.

[Mister E]

There is a great moment when Goldfinger say "Goodbye... Mr Bond" just before they send him down with the elevator. Love this! The look on Bond's face is priceless.

I love that one too, it's rather errie and cold. Goldfinger's cold and sincere farewell and the Bond is lowered to his doom.

[[dark]]

The only thing I don't really like is the portable laser. Just seems like an unnecessary bit of impractical silliness, as if using the laser for the scene early in the film wasn't enough.

I like that the laser wasn't just there for the - admittedly terrific - setpiece in which Bond is strapped to the table. It served a greater purpose.

It's kind of like how Bond uses his ring gadget in two different scenarios in Die Another Day - it seems less of a throwaway idea when it's not forgotten about after a single, convenient use.

The hokey sound Goldfinger's laser emits hasn't aged well, though.

[Mr_Wint]

The only thing I don't really like is the portable laser. Just seems like an unnecessary bit of impractical silliness, as if using the laser for the scene early in the film wasn't enough.

The laser is not a gimmick, it is a part of the plot.

It goes something like this:
"My task force will then move to the main entrance and demolish it."
"How if I may ask?"
"You made that possible, Mister Solo. By using you influence in shipping circles to bring through customs a consignment labelled 'machine parts'"

[Qwerty]

Definitely one of the best. A major, major portion has to go to John Barry's music here, which is just incredible.

[Harmsway]

The laser is not a gimmick, it is a part of the plot.

But not because it needs to be. There were plenty of other ways to take those gates down in more practical, less absurd ways. Now, naturally, GOLDFINGER is not a very practical film in general, but I really don't think the laser's second appearance was necessary.

It goes something like this:
"My task force will then move to the main entrance and demolish it."
"How if I may ask?"
"You made that possible, Mister Solo. By using you influence in shipping circles to bring through customs a consignment labelled 'machine parts'"

I'm pretty sure that that exchange is referring not to the laser, but to the explosives they use to blow the main gates open. Or that's how I always interpreted, anyway, because I can't for the life of me imagine why an industrial laser would require smuggling.

[Fiona Volpe lover]

Definitely one of the best. A major, major portion has to go to John Barry's music here, which is just incredible.

Indeed. It's an object lesson in film scoring. I'm tempted to think the scene would be simply average without the music! John Barry was a genius, as he proved time and time again.

[Mr_Wint]

The laser is not a gimmick, it is a part of the plot.

But not because it needs to be. There were plenty of other ways to take those gates down in more practical, less absurd ways. Now, naturally, GOLDFINGER is not a very practical film in general, but I really don't think the laser's second appearance was necessary.

It goes something like this:
"My task force will then move to the main entrance and demolish it."
"How if I may ask?"
"You made that possible, Mister Solo. By using you influence in shipping circles to bring through customs a consignment labelled 'machine parts'"

I'm pretty sure that that exchange is referring not to the laser, but to the explosives they use to blow the main gates open. Or that's how I always interpreted, anyway, because I can't for the life of me imagine why an industrial laser would require smuggling.

Explosives are NOT machine parts. I will add some dialouge from the film. Maybe you will get it this time.

*trying to remember Goldfinger's lines*

"This fence, surrounding the depository, is electrified. It will be dynamited!"
"My task force will then move to the main entrance and demolish it."
"How if I may ask?"
"You made that possible, Mister Solo. By using you influence in shipping circles to bring through customs a consignment labelled 'machine parts'"

Most things in this movie makes sense, and if they don't they are still a pleasure to watch. Quite different from a certain movie-experience you are about to have in the following weeks

[[dark]]

That is something I love about Goldfinger the film - it's pretty darn faithful to the novel, but when it does stray, it's usually just to rectify plot holes or to make the whole thing more plausible. It's a much tighter affair than Fleming's Goldfinger.

[sharpshooter]

Yes, absolutely. The film improves on it, and even pokes fun at it.

The Fort Knox sequence is brilliant. It really is. When I first saw the film, I had no idea how Bond was to escape this certain death. The Bond vs Odd Job showdown is one of the most iconic battles in the history of cinema as well.

[Mister E]

The Bond vs Odd Job showdown is one of the most iconic battles in the history of cinema as well.

The lack of music made the fight even more intense.

[00Twelve]

The Bond vs Odd Job showdown is one of the most iconic battles in the history of cinema as well.

The lack of music made the fight even more intense.

See, I'm not as "ga-ga" over the Oddjob fight, but that's b/c we've all seen it a thousand times, and I'm pretty jaded with GF. It's also because it's pretty sluggish after the Grant fight in the previous movie.

The set is certainly fantastic and the way Bond finally takes him out is brilliant, but it's just a little "Kirkish" in the fight choreography (yes, I know it preceded Star Trek).

[Mister E]

The Bond vs Odd Job showdown is one of the most iconic battles in the history of cinema as well.

The lack of music made the fight even more intense.

See, I'm not as "ga-ga" over the Oddjob fight, but that's b/c we've all seen it a thousand times, and I'm pretty jaded with GF. It's also because it's pretty sluggish after the Grant fight in the previous movie.

The set is certainly fantastic and the way Bond finally takes him out is brilliant, but it's just a little "Kirkish" in the fight choreography (yes, I know it preceded Star Trek).

No it isn't as good as the Grant fight but I think it was fairly intense.

[00Twelve]

The Bond vs Odd Job showdown is one of the most iconic battles in the history of cinema as well.

The lack of music made the fight even more intense.

See, I'm not as "ga-ga" over the Oddjob fight, but that's b/c we've all seen it a thousand times, and I'm pretty jaded with GF. It's also because it's pretty sluggish after the Grant fight in the previous movie.

The set is certainly fantastic and the way Bond finally takes him out is brilliant, but it's just a little "Kirkish" in the fight choreography (yes, I know it preceded Star Trek).

No it isn't as good as the Grant fight but I think it was fairly intense.

Right on. I'm kind of a purist with Bond's fights, anyway. They were always furious in the novels (and Bond didn't fight Oddjob in the book) and that's how I like 'em in the movies, too.

Can you imagine, though, how many fights and deaths-by-electrocution scenes that fight inspired? The iconicism[?] of it is indisputable.

[Major Tallon]

It's one of the great moments in the movies. James Bond versus the invincible Oddjob, filmed on a fantastic set with an incredible conclusion. Classic, iconic, amazing.

[Ultraussie (Jordan.adams)]

Thank god you didnt watch Thunderball: Most boring Bond Movie ever.
I belive in Goldeneye there was the Cuban Facility.

In Tomorrow never dies there was the Finale on a boat.

You only live twice Volcano

[sharpshooter]

Thank god you didnt watch Thunderball: Most boring Bond Movie ever.

Boring? Well, I don't find it boring. I find the pacing of Thunderball nearly perfect. Not too fast and not too slow. It remains consistent the whole way through.

Thunderball has an intricate and well developed plot, the cinematography is exceptional - there was nothing like the underwater battle sequences ever done before. The incredible sets by Ken Adam were ultra modern and still look new, and Connery is arguably at his most charismatic, that alone merits watching.

[Bondian]

I was watching Goldfinger last night with my girlfriend (the second Bond film she's ever watched after Casino Royale, which nearly destroyed our relationship after she feel asleep during the final third) and I was struck by the sheer brilliance of the dawn raid on Fort Knox.

Ignore the Fort Knox guards' implausible deception (Goldfinger very nearly succeeds with his plan) - it's a truly thrilling scene. You nearly believe the scheme will be successful.

Every element is pitched perfectly. There's some gorgeous camera work to be found, especially during the aerial shots. And Fort Knox is wonderfully used as a location. Special mention also to John Barry's amazing score - tense, epic and brilliantly Bondian.

Is there a more exciting sequence in Bond film history?

It's a great scene from a great movie.

[Turn]

I've been playing Bond soundtracks in my car to get ready for QoS later this week. GF has been my latest selection.

It's not one of my favorite soundtracks, but I can truly say John Barry's Dawn Raid on Fort Knox tune really makes that scene a lot better.

Turn down the sound and you're more drawn to the obvious effects and some of the bad timing of the soldiers falling down just as the gas hits and so on. The tune really pumps this scene up, kind of building to the whole break in and makes those scenes that we'd mostly dismiss easier to take.

[Bond_JamesBond007]

I just watched this movie today!! I love it!! Undescribable feeling throughout. One of my faves, and the ending is perfect. I always smile at the unchanged 3 ticks line.

Edited by Bond_JamesBond007, 11 November 2008 - 03:22 AM.

[DR76]

I was watching Goldfinger last night with my girlfriend (the second Bond film she's ever watched after Casino Royale, which nearly destroyed our relationship after she feel asleep during the final third) and I was struck by the sheer brilliance of the dawn raid on Fort Knox.

Ignore the Fort Knox guards' implausible deception (Goldfinger very nearly succeeds with his plan) - it's a truly thrilling scene. You nearly believe the scheme will be successful.

Every element is pitched perfectly. There's some gorgeous camera work to be found, especially during the aerial shots. And Fort Knox is wonderfully used as a location. Special mention also to John Barry's amazing score - tense, epic and brilliantly Bondian.

Is there a more exciting sequence in Bond film history?

I believe so. In fact, I can think of a good number of better action sequences. But John Barry's score in the Fort Knox scene was rather exceptional.

[Se7en]

Yes, it was a fantastic scene indeed. But i could think of a few better. The score is absolutely amazing though.

[double o ego]

Thank god you didnt watch Thunderball: Most boring Bond Movie ever.

Boring? Well, I don't find it boring. I find the pacing of Thunderball nearly perfect. Not too fast and not too slow. It remains consistent the whole way through.

Thunderball has an intricate and well developed plot, the cinematography is exceptional - there was nothing like the underwater battle sequences ever done before. The incredible sets by Ken Adam were ultra modern and still look new, and Connery is arguably at his most charismatic, that alone merits watching.

QFT

[Quincy]

No this part of the film IMO was the letdown. I hate climaxes in Bond movies which ionvolve large armies. The only one that worked for me was TB b/c it was underwater and different.


And whoever said that TB is the most boring Bond movie? It's clearly one of the best.