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Rating: Country: UK Release Date: March 24, 2009 Distributor: MGM Director: · Guy Hamilton Cast: · Sean Connery · Honor Blackman · Gert Fröbe Related Sites: · IMDb Grade: A

Chances are that if you've seen one James Bond movie besides the Daniel Craig Bond films "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace", it's this one. "Goldfinger" is probably the undisputed best Bond film of the pre-Craig era as well as being the quintessential Bond film featuring all of the favorite elements:

• The gun barrel intro sequence
• Maurice Binder credits open
• Title song
• John Barry's score
• Bond's one-liners
• Bond girls with sexual nom de plumes
• Moneypenny flirtations
• Q's lab and gadgets
• The Aston Martin
• An overly verbal villain and his henchman with a gimmick
• And oh yeah, tons of pre-Women's Lib sexism.

I remember the first time I saw this when my Uncle Herb sat me down in front of his giant projection screen tv and played it for me. It was love at first sight, and l still have the Corgi Aston Martin with the ejector seat that he gave me later on.

If you haven't seen it, the plot is simply that Bond must stop villain Auric Goldfinger from his insidious scheme involving Ft. Knox. Along the way, there are explosions, fights, car chases, and of course, Pussy Galore. And the glue that holds it all together is the best of the classic Bonds, Sean Connery. It has the perfect balance of action and humor that was never quite replicated again, merely imitated.

This is the first Bond classic I've seen on Blu-Ray. Right from the beginning, it's as crisp and beautiful as you'd expect. There's a moment up top where Bond sees his would-be assassin in the reflection of his lover's eye. It has never looked so crystal clear. This clarity continues throughout the film and it might be, unless you've seen a fresh theatrical print, the best possible way to see this film.

Listening to the audio commentary with director Guy Hamilton (did you know that he was an assistant director on "The Third Man"?) and a second with members of the cast and crew, is a pleasant way to learn more about the making of the film. Other features include:

Connery has the Midas touch

• Sean Connery from the Set of Goldfinger
• Screen Tests
• On Tour with the Aston Martin DB5
• Honor Blackman Open Interview
• "The Making of Goldfinger" Documentary
• Interactive Guide to the World of Goldfinger
• The Goldfinger Phenomenon
• Original Publicity Featurette
• Trailers, TV & Radio Spots
• Still Gallery 

If you've never seen a Connery Bond film before, this is the one to catch. And if you're a long-time lover of this gem, there are plenty of ways to dig deeper and find all-new enjoyment out of this film with this Blu-Ray release.