Rolls-Royce Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Goldfinger

The 60th anniversary of the James Bond film 'Goldfinger,' which premiered on September 17, 1964, highlights its significant impact on the franchise and film history. The 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, chosen by the villain Auric Goldfinger, symbolizes luxury and ingenuity, playing a crucial role in Goldfinger's gold-smuggling operations. This model, the last developed by Rolls-Royce founder Sir Henry Royce, featured a powerful V12 engine and was adorned with coachwork made of two tons of 18-carat gold. The film also introduced the iconic title song performed by Shirley Bassey, setting a standard for future Bond themes. 'Goldfinger' not only broke box office records but established lasting elements of the series, leading to the phenomenon known as Bondmania. It remains a cornerstone of the franchise, influencing storytelling and character development in subsequent Bond films.