8. Oddjob (Goldfinger)
There's physically superior and then there's physically superior. Goldfinger's infamous and much-parodied manservant RandomTask Oddjob definitely falls into the latter category. Unequalled in strength but also surprisingly agile and skilled for his size, this was no lumbering oaf like Jaws whom we'd see later in the 1970's. Loyal to Goldfinger to the point of remaining inside the locked Fort Knox vault to ensure the detonation of the bomb that 007 is chained to, Oddjob unwittingly presents him the keys to his handcuffs. Once freed and well aware that he must best the giant henchman to have any chance of disarming the bomb, Bond soon realises that, devoid of any gadgets or weapons, he must rely on his wits and ingenuity alone to defeat his adversary. Oddjob is a silent character but his repeated smiles speak volumes as all of Bond's physical attacks, including utilisation of various heavy objects around the vault, have zero effect. He is little more than toying with him. Conveniently for Bond however, one of Oddjob's attacks leaves him lying right next to his signature bowler hat and some power cables severed by an earlier throw, alongside a wall of metal bars. Retrieving the hat Bond aims it back at its owner and circles around him, until Oddjob has his back to the wall. Bond lets fly with the missile but Oddjob calmly ducks and makes to retrieve his bowler now lodged between the bars. But quick as a flash, Bond rolls forward, seizes the severed power cable and applies the exposed wiring to the bars, just as Oddjob has grabbed hold of the steel-brimmed hat. The resulting scream is the first and last sound uttered by the villain in the film. Did Bond plan the electrocution from the start or was he hoping to hit Oddjob with the bowler and thus forced into some split-second improvisation? Perhaps he took both eventualities into account. We probably should have seen it coming anyway as Bond had already electrocuted another villain in the pre-title sequence. Regardless of all this, it's still a genius and resourceful way to prevail in this veritable clash of David vs. Goliath, and Oddjob, like Red Grant though this time in unconventional manner, fell victim to his own devastating weapon.