A James Bond classic hailed as “Bond at his peak” is set to grace ITV4 screens this evening. The 1964 thriller Goldfinger sees 007 pursuing the infamous bullion dealer Auric Goldfinger, ultimately exposing his sinister scheme to eradicate America’s gold stockpile at Fort Knox using atomic weaponry, thereby boosting his own precious metal holdings.

What starts as surveillance of Goldfinger’s smuggling network quickly intensifies as Bond confronts the villain’s lethal bodyguard Oddjob, narrowly escapes a laser torture device, and makes the unforgettable discovery of Jill Masterson (portrayed by Shirley Eaton) covered entirely in gold paint, before desperately attempting to thwart Operation Grand Slam and prevent global economic catastrophe.

This instalment stands as one of the franchise’s most notable, pioneering beloved staples including the gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5, the Q-Branch laboratory and Sir Sean Connery‘s immortal “shaken, not stirred” line.

It also marked the debut of the signature pre-credits action sequence, becoming the first Bond picture to achieve blockbuster status and claim an Academy Award (for Best Sound Editing).

The picture boasts an outstanding 99% rating on film review site Rotten Tomatoes, garnering numerous five-star appraisals, reports The Mirror.

One reviewer noted: “Classic James Bond movie with all the bells and whistles. No one could do it better than Sean Connery. With a hilarious cast of villains like Oddjob, Goldfinger, and a heroine preposterously named (well, Community Guidelines wouldn’t let me tell you her name), what’s not to love?”

Another said: “Lot of clever dialogue and exciting action throughout the film.” A third reviewer enthused: “Pure Bond film. It’s got the ladies, the villains, and the quirky humour. It has aged well, which is something you can’t say about a lot of movies of the period. The actors are superb and plot is well written. This is my favorite next to Goldeneye.”

Another fan declared: “James Bond at his peak. Connery continues to provide his strong charisma and this one features some of the greatest villains.”

One more viewer added: “I can see why this was the first true blockbuster Bond film. Goldfinger is the classic villain and Oddjob is a classic henchman. Memorable backdrops of Miami, London, Geneva and Kentucky, this film drops you right into the 60s and doesn’t let go.”

A fourth said: “Goldfinger still remains the quintessential Bond film, even Casino Royale or Skyfall can’t compare to the sheer enjoyement this film can transmit. Started many of the tropes of Bond and spy movies in general we all know and love. Features a much better pacing than it’s predecessors, and it generally manages to make it the most out of it’s runtime than probably every other Bond movie, as they all typically start to run off steam through the final act.

“Featuring great gadgets; humour; one of the best Bond girls to grace the silver screen, alongside pretty much every single other major character here, all being extremely memorable and full of charisma. Definite must watch.” Another straightforward review declared: “One of the best bond movies! A true classic.”

007: Goldfinger airs on Wednesday 21 January on ITV4 at 9pm.