Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20583 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-10-20
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
We still find ourselves waiting for the bulk of the James Bond back catalogue to enjoy a Blu-ray upgrade. It’s all the more frustrating given the high quality of the discs that have been released thus far, which have whetted the appetite for more releases. It seems we might be waiting some time. In the meantime, at least there are discs of the quality of Goldfinger to get our teeth into, a Blu-ray that demonstrates just how a high definition transfer can enhance an older film.

Goldfinger is, of course, the third film in the official James Bond movie series. It finds Sean Connery as 007, this time pitted against Auric Goldfinger. Of course, things aren’t straightforward, not helped by the presence of Oddjob and Pussy Galore, and the film isn’t shy of terrific sequences, memorable Bond moments and Connery on tip-top form in the lead role. What’s particularly satisfying about the Blu-ray is just how complete it is. The picture quality is a very pleasant surprise, delivering sharp visuals in spite of the age of the film. The audio is limited by today’s standards--it certainly struggles to stand toe-to-toe next to something like Quantum Of Solace in that regard--but it’s still the best the film has sounded in the home. And then there’s the excellent, thoughtful extra features package. A lot of it you’ve seen before on the DVD releases, but there has been some welcome HD improvement work undertaken too. Something that’s overlooked on many catalogue Blu-ray releases.

Ultimately, Goldfinger is a vintage James Bond film, that makes the most of its high definition upgrade. Now roll on the rest of the movies… --Jon Foster

Synopsis
In the third James Bond adventure, the dangerously suave spy's objective is to terminate criminal capitalist Auric Goldfinger--and his assistants Pussy Galore and Oddjob--and foil his plan to contaminate Fort Knox's gold with atomic radiation, a strategy that would dramatically increase the value of Goldfinger's own hoard. With the help of the usual bevy of beautiful women and ingenious gadgets, 007 spoils Goldfinger's fun. Based on Ian Fleming's 1959 novel, GOLDFINGER marks the appearance of a more carefree, wisecracking Bond and is widely considered to be one of the best films in the series. In fact, with stylized elements such as the gold-painted girl, the wince-inducing laser beam, Oddjob's razor-sharp bowler hat, and Bond's modified Aston Martin car, the film is quite possibly the most memorable Bond outing, and would be famously parodied decades later in the AUSTIN POWERS series, particularly GOLDMEMBER. Digitally restored.

Customer Reviews

This Blu-Ray has the Midas touch
'Goldfinger' is one of my favourite movies and was the first DVD disc I ever played. I put off buying a Blu-ray player until 'Goldfinger' was available on that format. So, putting that disc into my brand new Panasonic DMP-BD35 player was a much anticipated event, fraught with the possibility of either fulfilment or of bitter disappointment.
Fortunately, I was served up a large dollop of joy. The reviews of the Blu-ray releases of 'Dr. No' and 'From Russia with Love' were very positive and so it has proved to be the same for 'Goldfinger'
However, I can't agree with reviews that say "Set in the '60s but looks as if it was filmed yesterday". It simply isn't going to look as sharp as 'Bourne Ultimatum' (for example) but the Technicolor palette has never looked quite so natural - e.g. the golf match between Goldfinger & Bond. Some scenes are really quite beautiful such as the Alpine, 'Golden Girl', and 'Fort Knox' interior scenes. However the High Def format shows up flaws in the matte and model work. The soundtrack is also greatly enhanced with the title sequence looking and sounding fantastic. Most of the extras have been available on previous DVD releases and have now been enhanced for the Blu-ray release.
If you are an HD-loving, long-standing Bond fan and think 'Goldfinger' is THE essential Bond movie, just buy it.

Goldfinger - blu-ray - beware the sound
Unbeatable film - the best Bond. Looks fantastic on blu-ray. The sound? You tell me. If you are watching this on a PS3 attached to a surround sound system with an optical cable - you will hear a deafening silence. Apparently optical cables can't cope with the DTS HD Master Audio track but I don't understand why a normal 5.1 track couldn't have been included. We keep hearing how blu-ray has so much more capacity than normal DVD. Dear Amazon, please include what the audio tracks are on the specs.

Best print I've seen
Picture great. Sound could be slightly louder. But overall first class. There are a few interesting features as well, in particular one about the Aston Martin DB5 narrated by the bloke once in charge of selling them.

I recommended this title for your collection.