Common Sense Media Review
Third Bond film is iconic; drinking, smoking, sexism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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Goldfinger
What's the Story?
In GOLDFINGER, James Bond (Sean Connery) is asked to monitor Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe), an international gold merchant whom the British government suspects is plotting something vaguely fiendish. Goldfinger's plan is found to be a rather elaborate, dangerous assault on Fort Knox, the United States' gold reserve.
Is It Any Good?
The third film in the James Bond series finds Connery playing up the more shameless, sassier side of Bond for the first time, following the more serious stakes of Dr. No. Goldfinger spends far more time on Bond's gadgetry (particularly his heavily modified Aston Martin) and womanizing than it does on his foiling of Goldfinger's devious scheme. More than anything else, Bond's luck and charm seem to allow him to drift in and out of danger while rather inadvertently saving the day.
For these reasons, this film truly serves as the template for all subsequent Bond movies. There's an emphasis on humor even in the direst of circumstances. Connery plays Bond with seemingly little effort, and his charm is hard to resist, even when he's dismissively tapping a female friend's buttocks to push her out of the frame, telling her that it's time for "man's work." (Oh, James ... ).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Bond's attitude toward women in Goldfinger and in general. Does his constant use of them as objects -- or treating them as pushovers -- seem necessary to create his cool image?
Is it right for Bond to use force in service of his government-appointed mission? Do you think real spies act this way? Why, or why not?
Why do you think James Bond films have been so popular for so many decades?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 22, 1964
- On DVD or streaming : April 17, 2001
- Cast : Gert Frobe , Honor Blackman , Sean Connery
- Director : Guy Hamilton
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 3, 2026
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