Why was the smuggling ring being killed off?

We know that Blofeld was using these diamonds to make his laser beam satellite to use in blackmailing the world. He got the diamonds through an extensive smuggling ring that sourced diamonds from Africa all the way to his stolen laboratory in Las Vegas.

Why did he bother killing off all the smugglers that were involved? It would make sense if he was trying to cover up the operation, thats kind of pointless if his end goal was to announce to the world that he had this weapon.

And even if he didnt need more diamonds for the weapon, they would still be a good source of income.

I presume it's because Blofeld was worried that someone would talk before the weapon was complete and operational.

Then again, we're talking about a poncy, cross-dressing, feline-fetishising, plastic surgery enthusiast whose two primary henchmen are camper than a row of pink tents... I don't know where I was going with this, but basically suspend disbelief.

CJB wrote:

I presume it's because Blofeld was worried that someone would talk before the weapon was complete and operational.

Then again, we're talking about a poncy, cross-dressing, feline-fetishising, plastic surgery enthusiast whose two primary henchmen are camper than a row of pink tents... I don't know where I was going with this, but basically suspend disbelief.

But you're right in that he wanted to minimise the chance of someone talking. And you're also right in that one should just go along with DAF.

Another 'best not to ask' one is Goldfinger revealing his Fort Knox plans to the assembled hoodlums, only to gas them all to death shortly afterwards.

Was he just showing off?

Blunt Instrument wrote:

Another 'best not to ask' one is Goldfinger revealing his Fort Knox plans to the assembled hoodlums, only to gas them all to death shortly afterwards.

Was he just showing off?

Wasn't Goldfingers plan a lot more secretive than Blofeld's though? If it had gone smoothly no one would have known that Goldfinger was the one who had broken into Fort Knox, and he would have made a lot of money on the side after the gold prices skyrocketed. He had already used those gangsters to provide elements of the plan, and his option at that point was to pay them off or silence them.

Blofeld was blatantly blackmailing the world and announcing himself. Goldfinger had an incentive to keep things secret, but Blofeld's plan did not require that.

Blofeld had all the diamonds he wanted and presumably was simply eliminating all remaining links that anyone might follow the diamond smuggling phase was over the remainder of the operation was still very much active (but presumably might have been eventually given the same treatment). There is perhaps a time issue in that it all happens rather quickly but it was all very risky up to the point he put the satellite into orbit (which might reasonably have been weeks, months or even years later)..... film expediency puts the point under pressure. But as other have noted perhaps its best not to look too closely this is Bond in frivolous mode even if it is tinged with a sadistic undertone we would not see again for over 25 years.

Blunt Instrument wrote:

Another 'best not to ask' one is Goldfinger revealing his Fort Knox plans to the assembled hoodlums, only to gas them all to death shortly afterwards.

Was he just showing off?

Showing off his trick pool table.

CJB wrote:

Blunt Instrument wrote:

Another 'best not to ask' one is Goldfinger revealing his Fort Knox plans to the assembled hoodlums, only to gas them all to death shortly afterwards.

Was he just showing off?

Showing off his trick pool table.

Exposition for the film audience too, I would add.

CJB wrote:

Blunt Instrument wrote:

Another 'best not to ask' one is Goldfinger revealing his Fort Knox plans to the assembled hoodlums, only to gas them all to death shortly afterwards.

Was he just showing off?

Showing off his trick pool table.

Also to make Oddjob feel more appreciated about his model work on the Fort Knox replica. He spent hours on that, you know.

He was certainly given odd jobs.