Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Catholic
Religious Music and Entertainment
Goldfinger: Bond, Finally Bond

Goldfinger: Bond, Finally Bond

Last updated on: June 13, 2026 at 9:20 am by Chase Padusniak

0 Comments

Goldfinger: Bond, Finally Bond 2026-06-13T09:20:09-04:00 Chase Padusniak

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Japanese cover of a release of the Goldfinger theme.
Source: Flicker user Johan Oomen
License

It’s silly for me to admit this, but it feels somehow important. I grew up on the Austin Powers films (1997-2002). While I watched some of the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig Bond movies and games growing up, I’d never seen a full Sean Connery joint. That changed recently thanks to Criterion Channel’s featuring the first three such movies. Color me surprised to learn the Mike Myers movies were barely parodies.

I’d heard of Pussy Galore, though not Honey Ryder. I knew the gadgets were goofy—just not how goofy. I’d always assumed Austin Powers took James Bond and really, I don’t know, blew it up. But the main differences seem to be that Powers is ugly and garish, while Bond is handsome and suave.

All that’s to say that I enjoyed these first three adaptations of Ian Fleming’s famous novels. I didn’t, however, enjoy them all equally. Goldfinger (1964) felt like the first actual Bond film among the three, as if the other two merely presaged it. Dr. No (1962) was whacky, fun, and adventurous, though light on gadgets. Bond doesn’t even order his martini the famous way. From Russia with Love (1963) has a catchy theme song and many more explosions, but there’s no real villain’s lair. The whole thing plays like an unbelievable romance between a Soviet triple agent and an ailing 007.

Then, however, there’s Goldfinger. A portly villain with lair upon lair, everything and everyone draped in gold. His masterplan is goofy as can be. We finally get the famous laser-table scene. I was in heaven, so far as Mr. Bond is concerned, anyway. Plus, he finally orders his martini the right way.

I’m sure I’m not the first person to note this fact, that Goldfinger is perhaps the first “real” Bond movie. Indeed, I’m writing this little post because I am not. I think it’s helpful, for all the disparaging we do of the fractured culture of contemporary youth, to remember that we all grow up in our contexts, only dimly aware of what came before. The young today might get only glimpses of culture we hold dear, know some surprising things, and totally miss others (the medium is the message, after all). But that’s true for all of us—banal perhaps. But a worthy reminder.

At least, I think so.

Catholic

Religious Art

Reviews

007

Austin Powers

From Russia with Love

Goldfinger

James Bond

Sean Connery

Previous Post

June 7, 2026

Backrooms: The Kids Do Silent Cinema

Next Post

June 16, 2026 No Greater Love: That’s Life

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"Do The Right Thing was a terrible movie, with a terrible message, a man owns ..."

Frank Holzhauser

Do the Right Thing: What Can ..."

"NOT the experience of those who actually lived through those years. Let's not forget that.Too ..."

captcrisis

54: Let the Good Times Roll

"Your accurate assessment of where the Blockbuster and the studios have ended up reminded me ..."

Dave G.

Jaws: Ad Fontes

"Another Dementia experience: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkbxNibXiLx_ak8IuhZiutd2Fxe7_KAon&si=VhOYNUIBV3CTlyDf"

Ame

Dementia: Silent Nightmare

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Academia Culture Politics Reviews Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 July 2021 December 2020 November 2020 July 2020 May 2020 April 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 August 2019 July 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who helped Jesus carry His cross?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Judas John Peter Simon of Cyrene