First-time viewer, age 21, recently watched "James Bond 007 - Goldfinger."

Bond's return: Goldfinger

, and ASMedia

2025 September 17 . 6:22 PM

2 min read

At the age of 21, I've recently watched "Goldfinger," the iconic James Bond movie for the first... — At the age of 21, I've recently watched "Goldfinger," the iconic James Bond movie for the first time.

First-time viewer, age 21, recently watched "James Bond 007 - Goldfinger."

In 1964, "Goldfinger" graced the silver screen, marking a significant milestone in the James Bond franchise. Starring the inimitable Sean Connery as the suave secret agent from MI6, the film became a classic and catapulted Connery to global stardom.

The film's main antagonist, Auric Goldfinger, played by the formidable Gert Fröbe, was a powerful and ruthless character. Goldfinger's nefarious plot involved a plan to blow up the gold reserve at Fort Knox to manipulate the gold market.

"Goldfinger" is perhaps best known for the iconic line, "Shaken, not stirred," which has since reached cult status. However, watching "Goldfinger" today comes with an awareness of its portrayal of women. The film shows clear sexist role models and toxic masculinity of the 1960s, a period marked by traditional societal norms and less awareness or critique of gender equality in media.

Women in "Goldfinger" are often depicted as interchangeable, with no intrinsic value, depth, or voice. They primarily exist to emphasize Bond's ego and perceived masculinity. The encounter with Pussy Galore, one of the film's female characters, is criticized for its portrayal of sexual coercion and the film's presentation of it as romantic.

The film's humor and representation of women are considered problematic by modern standards. It's a reminder of how little women were taken seriously back then. The hope is that we will never again accept something like this as entertainment.

Despite its flaws, "Goldfinger" remains a piece of film history and a prime example of toxic masculinity and sexism. The legal framework lacked strong regulations against sexist portrayals, allowing films to depict women primarily as objects or secondary characters.

Norman Wanstall won the 1965 Oscar for Best Sound Effects for his work on "Goldfinger," a testament to the film's technical prowess. Connery played Bond in a total of seven films and is considered the most defining face of the Bond story.

As we reflect on "Goldfinger," it serves as a reminder of the progress we've made in representation and the importance of continuing to challenge and change harmful stereotypes in media.