directed
by Guy Hamilton
UK 1964
This film scintillates with wit, and crackles with energy and pace. Sean Connery excels in the role of Bond as the deadly charmer, whose smoothness covers something rather sinister. Gert Frobe is wonderful as the looney mittel-European Goldfinger; completely assured that what he is doing is going to work. This film has in it a refreshing air of escapism and fun, and a sense of charm and chic sadly lacking from modem action movies.
Excerpt from Edinburgh University Film Society located HERE
***
Vintage Bond from the moment our hero pops up out of the sea under a bobbing seagull attached to his frogman's suit which, having duly accomplished his explosive mission, he strips off to reveal an impeccable white dinner-jacket underneath. Ken Adam's sets, capped by the marvelous Fort Knox fantasy, are superb; and although Blackman's Pussy Galore is less than might be desired, there is suitably outsized villainy from Froebe and Sakata. Paul Dehn had a hand in the script, doubtless accounting for the unusually high incidence of wit in a script pleasantly laced with diabolic fantasy (from Eaton's demise by gold paint to Connery's near-emasculation by laser beam).
Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE
Posters
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Theatrical Release: September 17th, 1964
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DVD Comparison:
MGM (Spec
ial Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC LEFT vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
MGM (Special Edition) Region 1 - NTSC |
MGM (Remastered - single disc) Region 1,3 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 1:49:52 | 1:49:48 |
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Video |
1.78:1 cropped
16X9 enhanced |
1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate : MGM - Special Edition |
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| Bitrate: MGM (remastered) |
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| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) | English (DTS), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 1.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 5.1) |
| Subtitles | English, French, None | English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Thai, None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 32 |
Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio:
Edition
Details:
DVD
Release Date: February 6th, 2007 Chapters 32 |
| Comments: |
The new remastered MGM is superior in just about every area - from the important original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 (SE was in 1.78 - slightly cropped) to the color scheme which appears more correct to my eye (although I am unsure of its theatrical correctness). The new remastered release is smoother (cleaner), less artifacts, has more information in the frame - the image quality towers above the old Special Edition. Audio - the new remastered gives a DTS, 5.1 or original mono track as options. The bumps sounded quite buoyant. Even the subs are more complete. Note two errors in the SE - it IS 'FIns' Brandy (not 'fine') and in the second example the famous line DOES include Mr. Bond's name. The new subtitles are extremely bulky though.
Being the single edition release only the 2 old commentaries remain with the other supplements being available on the two-disc package - not sold separately at this time but only in the James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 1 packaged with The Man with the Golden Gun / Goldfinger / The World Is Not Enough / Diamonds Are Forever and The Living Daylights. I think this single edition is an amazing deal ($11) - especially if you already own the old SE (and its extras). For what you get it is ridiculously low priced. A true bargain which we encourage fans to pick-up. Personally I'm only a Connery fan (and Lazenby... and probably Craig too!) so I'm not picking up any of the Ultimate packages and their ridiculously awkward choice of films intended to rope people in for purchases. It is just like MGM to do something like that. |
DVD Menus
(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC LEFT vs.
MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
Subtitle Sample: Not exact frame
NOTE - inferiorities in original MGM SE edition
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(MGM (Special Edition) - NTSC TOP vs. MGM (Remastered - single edition) - Region 1,3 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution |
MGM (Special Edition) Region 1 - NTSC |
MGM (Remastered - single disc) Region 1,3 - NTSC |
Report Card:
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Image: |
MGM - remastered |
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Sound: |
MGM - remastered |
| Extras: | MGM Special Edition |
| Menu: | MGM - remastered |
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