British directorLewis Gilbert, director of three classicJames Bondmovies, has died at the age of 97. Gilbert got his start as a child actor in 1933 inDick Turpinand eventually made himself into an accomplished director. During the course of his long career, Gilbert amassed more than 40 credits. Gilbert was remembered by the official James Bond Twitter account following the news of his death.
“British director, producer and screenwriter Lewis Gilbert has passed away at the age of 97. Gilbert directed three Bond films;You Only Live Twice(1967),The Spy Who Loved Me(1977) andMoonraker(1979). Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Lewis Gilbert had been working as a director for more than two decades before tackling his first movie in theJames Bondfranchise, which came in the form of 1967’sYou Only Live Twice. The movie is significant, as it was the last of Sean Connery’s initial tenure as 007, prior to George Lazenby coming in for just one movie,On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Gilbert initially turned down the job, but franchise producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli managed to convince him to helm the movie.
Lewis Gilbert also helmed twoRoger Moore Bond movies, including 1977’sThe Spy Who Loved Me, which is generally considered to be one of Moore’s best contributions to the franchise. His last movie in the legendary spy franchise came in the form ofMoonraker, which is famously considered to be a low-point for the series, but one that has many fans.Moonrakerserved as a response to the popularity ofStar Wars, which was released two years prior.Baby Driverdirector Edgar Wright took to Twitter to honor the late director. Here’s what he had to say.
“RIP Lewis Gilbert, the great British director who, among his 40 plus credits, directed ‘Alfie’, ‘Educating Rita’, ‘Reach For The Sky’, ‘Shirley Valentine’ and one of my very favourite Bond films: ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’. ‘Why’d you have to be so good?'”
Outside of theJames Bondfranchise, Lewis Gilbert directed other notable movies such asEducating RitaandThe Adventurers, in addition to a number or war novel adaptations. He also directed the 1966 classicAlfie, which stars Michael Caine and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.Ant-Mandirector Peyton Reed also took to Twitter to honor the director, revealing that he’s actually included aMoonrakerhomage in the upcomingAnt-Man and the Wasp.
“Lewis Gilbert, director of You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, has passed away. SPY was the first Bond film I saw in the theater. (And I have a tiny homage to Moonraker in Ant-Man and the Wasp.) Rest in Peace.”
The director’s last movie was 2002’sBefore We Go, which stars Julie Walters. You can check out a number of social media tributes to the late filmmaker below. RIP Lewis Gilbert. The news of Lewis’ passing comes to us courtesy ofDeadline.
