British film director, producer and screenwriter, Lewis Gilbert has passed away at the age of 97.
The prolific filmmaker was behind more than 40 films, including 1966’s Alfie, which starred a young Michael Caine. Not only did Alfie make a star of Michael Caine as well as a box-office success, but it won the Jury prize at Cannes and received five Oscar nominations.
Shortly after Alfie, and after some reluctance, Gilbert was persuaded by Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli to direct the fifth Bond film, 1967’s ‘You Only Live Twice’ starring Sean Connery. He returned to the series in the 1970s to make ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ and ’Moonraker’.
Tributes for the late filmmaker poured in on Twitter:
Sir Roger Moore’s family posted a tribute to Gilbert saying, “Lewis Gilbert was one of Sir Roger’s favourite directors. The industry and Bond world will miss him although his legacy lives on forever. RIP Lewis.”
Marshal Julius, a film critic for BBC Radio Oxford tweeted: “Ninety-seven years, three Bond films and a fair few classics besides sounds like a pretty full life to me. A fond farewell then, to director Lewis Gilbert, 1920-2018.”
David Williams, English comedian, actor, talent-show judge tweeted: “Thank you #LewisGilbert for all the joy you brought me & millions of others with your 3 classic Bond @007 movies ‘You Only Live Twice’, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ & ‘Moonraker’ & so many other classic films… ‘Reach for the Sky’, ‘Alfie’ & ‘Educating Rita’.”
Mark O’Connell, a writer, author and a Bond fan tweeted: “Rest in peace, Lewis Gilbert – Sir Roger Moore’s favourite 007 director and the one that made Bond big, took him to the stars and turned production designer Ken Adam into James Bond’s grandest co-star.”
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) said Gilber’s “more than 70-year legacy as a film director has served as an inspiration to so many.”
“Everybody who wants to be a director has to find their own way of directing. I’m calm and I’m kind to people; I find that they react quicker,” DGA quoted Gilbert’s s personal approach to filmmaking.
