The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Last updated:
August 16, 2025

The Man with the Golden Gun is the ninth James Bond film, produced by EON Productions and released in 1974. Directed by Guy Hamilton, it stars Roger Moore in his second outing as 007. This entry is famous for its exotic locations, stylish villain, and one of the most iconic weapons in the Bond franchise.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: The Golden Gun’s Lethal Power

The film opens with Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee), the world’s deadliest assassin, testing his skill in a private funhouse shooting range. He demonstrates his ability with his custom golden gun, killing a gangster who dared to challenge him. This sequence introduces Scaramanga’s lavish yet deadly lifestyle and hints at his fascination with Bond.

Bond’s New Mission

MI6 receives a golden bullet engraved with “007,” suggesting that Bond has been targeted by Scaramanga. To protect their agent, M (Bernard Lee) orders Bond off active duty until the threat is neutralized. Bond takes matters into his own hands, beginning his hunt for the elusive killer. His search leads him to Hong Kong and Macau, uncovering connections between Scaramanga and a scientist named Gibson, who has developed a device that can harness solar energy—an invention of enormous value during the 1970s energy crisis.

Goodnight and Hai Fat

Bond meets Miss Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland), his MI6 contact in Hong Kong. Together, they attempt to trace Scaramanga through his known business partners. Their investigation brings them to Hai Fat, a wealthy industrialist who employs Scaramanga. Bond infiltrates Hai Fat’s estate but is captured and placed in a martial arts tournament-style death trap. After a fight sequence, Bond escapes, realizing Scaramanga has stolen the solar energy device, known as the “Solex agitator.”

The Cat-and-Mouse Game

Bond’s pursuit of Scaramanga takes him to Thailand. Along the way, he encounters Andrea Anders (Maud Adams), Scaramanga’s mistress, who seeks Bond’s help to escape her controlling lover. She gives Bond information about a planned meeting, but before she can reveal everything, Scaramanga kills her.

The High-Speed Chase

In a standout action sequence, Bond chases Scaramanga through Bangkok’s streets in a car, with an uninvited passenger—Sheriff J.W. Pepper (Clifton James), a comic relief character from Live and Let Die. The chase includes a now-famous (and sometimes mocked) corkscrew car jump stunt, complete with a slide-whistle sound effect that divided audiences.

Duel on Scaramanga’s Island

Scaramanga lures Bond to his private island, where he proposes a duel to the death. The two men stalk each other through Scaramanga’s elaborate funhouse arena filled with mirrors, trick lighting, and mannequins. Bond uses his cunning to disguise himself as one of Scaramanga’s own mannequins, ambushing and killing him.

Movie Ending

After killing Scaramanga, Bond takes possession of the Solex agitator. Scaramanga’s diminutive henchman, Nick Nack (Hervé Villechaize), tries to kill Bond in a comedic but dangerous showdown aboard Bond’s junk boat. Bond traps Nick Nack in a suitcase and hangs him from the mast. With the threat neutralized, Bond and Goodnight sail away together. The film closes with a romantic fade-out, with Bond victorious and the world once again safe.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Man with the Golden Gun has no post-credits scene. The end credits simply confirm that “James Bond will return in The Spy Who Loved Me.”

Type of Movie

This is a spy action-adventure film, blending espionage intrigue with exotic travel, martial arts, gadgetry, and a charismatic villain.

Cast

Roger Moore – James Bond 007
Christopher Lee – Francisco Scaramanga
Britt Ekland – Mary Goodnight
Maud Adams – Andrea Anders
Hervé Villechaize – Nick Nack
Bernard Lee – M
Lois Maxwell – Miss Moneypenny
Clifton James – Sheriff J.W. Pepper

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Barry, though he later admitted it was not one of his favorites. The title song “The Man with the Golden Gun” was performed by Lulu, delivering a bold, brassy introduction to the film.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in multiple exotic locations:

Hong Kong – Various harbor and street scenes.
Macau – Casino sequences.
Bangkok, Thailand – The bustling street chase scenes.
Khao Phing Kan, Thailand – Known today as “James Bond Island,” Scaramanga’s lair was filmed here, giving the movie its most iconic location. The island became a tourist attraction after the film’s release.

Awards and Nominations

The film was not a major awards contender but received attention for its stunt work, particularly the corkscrew jump, which won recognition in stunt performance circles.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Christopher Lee was Ian Fleming’s cousin, making his casting as Scaramanga especially fitting.
The corkscrew car jump was done in one take by stunt driver Loren “Bumps” Willert.
Maud Adams would later return as the title character in Octopussy (1983).
The production faced logistical challenges filming in remote Thai islands, with equipment having to be transported by boat.

Inspirations and References

The story is adapted from Ian Fleming’s 1965 novel The Man with the Golden Gun, though the movie departs heavily from the book’s plot. Fleming’s novel is more straightforward, with less comedic tone and without the Solex energy subplot.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

The original script had a more politically tense plot, with Scaramanga involved in nuclear weapons smuggling. These elements were removed to focus on the Solex storyline. Some extended martial arts sequences were trimmed to keep the film’s pace brisk.

Book Adaptations and Differences

In the novel, Scaramanga is more of a gangster than an international hitman.
Bond and Scaramanga’s duel is less theatrical in the book, occurring outdoors without the funhouse element.
Mary Goodnight plays a smaller role in the novel, and the romantic subplot is minimal.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Scaramanga’s opening funhouse assassination.
The corkscrew car jump stunt.
The final duel in the mirrored funhouse.

Iconic Quotes

Scaramanga: “This is the part I really like—the killing.”
Bond: “A harmless toy? I am now aiming precisely at your groin. So speak or forever hold your peace.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Scaramanga’s golden gun is assembled from a pen, lighter, and cigarette case—hidden in plain sight.
The “James Bond Island” landscape later became a pop culture icon.
The film’s martial arts dojo scene nods to the then-booming popularity of Bruce Lee films.

Trivia

The movie was produced quickly to capitalize on the martial arts craze of the early 1970s.
Christopher Lee reportedly kept one of the golden gun props.
The funhouse was partly inspired by The Third Man’s mirror sequence.

Why Watch?

If you want a classic Bond adventure with exotic locales, a memorable villain played by Christopher Lee, and one of the most unique weapons in cinema history, this film delivers. It’s pure ’70s Bond: stylish, cheeky, and filled with spectacle.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)