The Bond Villains: Auric Goldfinger

Auric Goldfinger

James Bond is sent to investigate the eccentric gold smuggler Auric Goldfinger and uncovers his plot to detonate an atomic device in the US Gold depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky. This would contaminate the American gold supply for a total of 58 years and significantly increase the value of his own gold.

With his effusive love for gold and ingenious killing methods, Goldfinger is probably the most famous villain of the James Bond franchise. His overweight appearance is not particulary frightening at first but once he kills a woman by covering her body in solid gold, his ruthless character sends chills up and down your spine. When Bond is caught listening in on Goldfingers plan, he tries to get rid of 007 by cutting him in half with an industrial laser on a golden table. Until today, the scene is among the most tense and dramatic of the whole film franchise.

“Man has climbed Mount Everest, gone to the bottom of the ocean. He’s fired rockets at the Moon, split the atom, achieved miracles in every field of human endeavor… except crime!” – Auric Goldfinger

Goldfinger´s master plan, entitled “Operation Grand Slam”, is not the usual world domination scheme that would serve the Bond franchise well in the following years. It is the plan of a megalomaniac simply feathering his own nest by all means necessary. For the dirty work, he employs an equally ruthless henchman who has also achieved cult status – Oddjob, a mute Korean. Trademark: a steel-rimmed bowler hat for killing undesirables. Pursuing his ultimate goal, Goldfinger seems to have planned every last detail and doesn´t shy away from anything. On the other hand, he is so full of himself that he fails to detect his pilot Pussy Galore turning against him.

After the attack on Fort Knox and the killing of James Bond fail, Goldfinger escapes but re-appears on board his plane that Bond and Pussy Galore use as a getaway. Goldfingers death will not take home the prize as being the most creative one, but it´s certainly fun to watch.

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