🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Guy Hamilton
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Spy
- Release year: 1974
- Runtime (length): 2h 5min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (173K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 39%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Bond faces off against Dracula’s cousin who lives on a solar-powered island and builds his own bullets out of spare change, all while dealing with a blonde who can’t stop getting into trouble.
🍿 The Man with the Golden Gun: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Golden Bullet
MI6 receives a golden bullet inscribed with ‘007’, indicating James Bond is targeted by the assassin Francisco Scaramanga, who charges $1 million per hit. M relieves Bond of duty but hints he should find Scaramanga first. Bond begins his search to locate the assassin, who remains a mysterious figure.

Following the Trail
Bond retrieves a spent golden bullet in Beirut, connecting it to a Macau gunsmith. He follows Scaramanga’s mistress, Andrea Anders, to Hong Kong, where he learns Scaramanga is involved with the murder of a scientist, Gibson, who was developing a revolutionary solar energy device known as the Solex Agitator. Nick Nack, Scaramanga’s assistant, steals the device.

Bangkok and Hai Fat
Bond travels to Bangkok and poses as Scaramanga to meet Hai Fat, a wealthy Thai entrepreneur. However, Scaramanga is already present, leading to Bond’s capture. He escapes Hai Fat’s martial arts academy with help from Lieutenant Hip and his nieces. Scaramanga kills Hai Fat and takes over his empire and the Solex Agitator.

Confrontation on the Island
Anders reveals to Bond she sent the bullet, seeking Scaramanga’s death. She is killed, and Bond retrieves the Solex. Scaramanga invites Bond to his island, showcasing his solar power plant. He challenges Bond to a duel. The final showdown occurs in Scaramanga’s funhouse.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- James Bond (Roger Moore): A British secret agent tasked with stopping the world’s highest-paid assassin and recovering a stolen solar energy device.
- Scaramanga (Christopher Lee): The world’s most expensive assassin, who uses a golden gun and seeks to prove his superiority by challenging James Bond.
- Goodnight (Britt Ekland): Bond’s well-meaning but often clumsy assistant, who inadvertently finds herself in dangerous situations.
- Nick Nack (Hervé Villechaize): Scaramanga’s diminutive but cunning henchman, who assists in his boss’s schemes and provides comic relief.
- Andrea (Maud Adams): Scaramanga’s mistress who is trapped in a life with the assassin and seeks freedom.
- ‘M’ (Bernard Lee): The Head of the Secret Intelligence Service, M is James Bond’s superior, giving him mission tasks.
- ‘Q’ (Desmond Llewelyn): As the head of Q Branch, the Secret Intelligence Service’s research and development division, Q equips James Bond with weapons and gadgets for use in his missions.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- James Bond: “I am now aiming precisely at your groin. So speak now or forever hold your piece.” – Bond threatens Lazar, a gunsmith, to get information about Scaramanga.
- Scaramanga: “Mr. Bond, you persist in defying my limitations.” – Scaramanga expresses his annoyance as Bond interferes with his plans.
- Scaramanga: “Duel between titans, my golden gun against your Walther.” – Scaramanga proposes a deadly game of cat and mouse with Bond.
- James Bond: “Goodnight, Goodnight are you there?” – Said sarcastically when finding Mary Goodnight in an compromising situation.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $7,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $20,972,000
- Worldwide Gross: $20,972,986
💥 The Man with the Golden Gun Reviews
Personal Review
As a Bond fan, I found ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ to be a fun, but somewhat uneven ride. I loved Christopher Lee as Scaramanga – he’s easily one of the best villains in the series! The remote island and solar weapon were cool concepts, but the humor sometimes felt a little too silly for my taste. The scene where Bond kicks the karate guy in the face made me laugh. I found Britt Ekland to be a bit of a drag; her character was far from great. Overall, it’s a movie I enjoy watching for Lee’s performance and the exotic locations. A must see for Bond fans.
- Who would enjoy:
- “James Bond fans”
- “Action-adventure enthusiasts”
- “Christopher Lee admirers”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Suggestive themes”
- “Brief nudity”
Professional Reviews
- The New York Times: “While Christopher Lee delivers a compelling performance as Scaramanga, the film itself feels somewhat disjointed, lacking the consistent thrill of previous Bond installments. Moore is finding his footing, but the overall experience is a mixed bag.
- Variety: “A solid entry in the Bond franchise, featuring exotic locales and the always captivating Christopher Lee. Although the plot occasionally falters, the action sequences and the dynamic between Bond and Scaramanga provide ample entertainment.
Audience Reactions
Christopher Lee’s portrayal of Scaramanga is iconic and elevates the entire film.: Viewers consistently praise the casting and performance of Christopher Lee as the sophisticated and deadly villain.
The unique golden gun and solar-powered island provide a memorable Bond setting.: The exotic locations and the creative weaponry contribute to the film’s distinctive atmosphere and visual appeal.
Overall Consensus: While ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ has its flaws, particularly in the humor and plot consistency, Christopher Lee’s performance as Scaramanga and the film’s unique elements make it a worthwhile entry in the Bond series.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels, wanted his cousin Christopher Lee to play Dr. No in the first Bond film. While that didn’t happen, Lee was finally cast as Scaramanga in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.”
- “The famous 360-degree car jump was performed for real. The stunt was so precise that NASA engineers later analyzed the physics behind it.”
- “During filming in Thailand, Roger Moore discovered a cave full of bats. He joked to Christopher Lee, ‘Master, they are yours to command!’ referencing Lee’s role as Dracula.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Man with the Golden Gun?
The Man with the Golden Gun is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television broadcasts. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also widely available through retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Man with the Golden Gun, you might like these similar films:
- Enter the Dragon (1973): Features martial arts action set in exotic Hong Kong locations, similar to the Hong Kong sequences in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.
- Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Another James Bond film with exotic locations, action set pieces and a memorable villain.
- Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014): A modern spy film that blends action with humor.
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997): A comedic send-up of the James Bond genre, leaning into the campy elements.
🛒 The Man with the Golden Gun Related Products
- James Bond 007 GoldenEye Reloaded – Playstation 3: Experience the classic Bond adventure reimagined. Includes updated graphics, enhanced gameplay, and the legendary multiplayer experience.
- The James Bond Archives. 60 Years of Cars: A stunning visual journey through the iconic cars of James Bond, featuring rare photographs and behind-the-scenes stories.
- 007 James Bond – Aston Martin DB5 – 1:36 Scale Diecast Model: Display your favorite Bond car from 1964. This diecast model is a collector’s item.
- James Bond: Moneypenny Diaries – Guardian Angel: Dive deeper into the world of James Bond with this thrilling novel centered around Miss Moneypenny. Uncover secrets and intrigue from her perspective.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Man with the Golden Gun features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The villain is Francisco Scaramanga, played by Christopher Lee. He’s a highly skilled assassin who charges one million dollars per hit and uses a unique golden gun.
The Solex Agitator is a device that can harness the sun’s energy and convert it into power. It’s a key plot element, with both Bond and Scaramanga seeking to control it.
Filming locations include Thailand (Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island), Hong Kong, Macau, and Pinewood Studios in London.
🔥 Bonus Content
James Bond EPIC Barrel Roll Stunt! … 2nd Attempt | Top Gear at the Movies
Have you ever wondered how they filmed that iconic car barrel roll in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’? Watch James May give it a shot in this hilarious and informative segment from Top Gear!
The Stunt Driving in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ Required an Aeronautical Laboratory! #JamesBond
Get ready to be amazed by the scientific precision and technical wizardry that went into creating one of the most iconic car stunts in cinematic history – the corkscrew jump from ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.
My GoldenGun Prop Replica
Attention all James Bond enthusiasts! Check out this incredible fan-made replica of the Golden Gun, complete with 24k gold plating. Prepare to be mesmerized by the craftsmanship and passion of a true Bond aficionado.
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