Lewis Gilbert Director of Alfie and Three James Bond Films Dies at 97

Prolific British director Lewis Gilbert, whose credits include 'Alfie' and three James Bond films, has died. He was 97.

British director, producer and screenwriter Lewis Gilbert has passed away at the age of 97. Gilbert directed three Bond films; YOU ONLY TWICE (1967), THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977) and MOONRAKER (1979). Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/gu4EGro0pg

Gilbert's directing career spanned seven decades with credits on more than 40 films, from the 1945 documentary 'The Ten Year Plan' to the 2002 comedy 'Before You Go,' starring Julie Walters.

He was born in London in 1920 and performed as a child actor in films in the 1920s and 1930s, before choosing to study direction, assisting on Alfred Hitchcock's 'Jamaica Inn' in 1939. During World War II, he worked on films while serving with the Royal Air Force's film unit and the U.S. Army Air Forces.

After the war, Gilbert worked in documentaries. He started directing war movies including 1956's 'Reach for the Sky,' 1958's 'Carve Her Name with Pride,' and 1960's 'Sink the Bismark.'

One of his best-known works came with 1966's 'Alfie,' based on the Bill Naughton play, which his wife Hylda had seen. Gilbert was nominated for a best picture Academy Award for producing and the film received four other Oscar nominations, including best actor for Michael Caine, who portrayed an unapologetic womanizer. 'Alfie' won the Jury Special Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

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