10 Most Paused James Bond Moments

In the third entry in the series, Bond must track down a bullion dealer called Auric Goldfinger who is smuggling gold abroad. Growing tired of Bond's interference, the gold-obsessed tycoon has Sean Connery's character captured. When he awakes, 007 learns Goldfinger's men have strapped him to a table, with a terribly imposing laser hanging above him.

The evil industrialist then has his scientists activate his "new toy", firing a superheated beam into the gold slab which Bond is lying on. As our hero notices the laser beam is slowly but surely making its way to his nether regions, Bond negotiates for Goldfinger to free him.

It goes without saying that is one of the most iconic shots in any Bond film. It also might be the tensest scene in the franchise. You can't help sweating alongside Bond as you watch the laser about to cut the slice in half.

Interestingly, there was no laser in the original script or novel. Originally, Goldfinger was meant to taunt his foe with a spinning buzzsaw. The director thought this idea was too derivative and so, swapped the saw for a laser, transforming a pretty straightforward scene into one of the most defining moments in cinema.