Oscar-nominated British filmmaker Lewis Gilbert has passed away aged 97, it has been announced.
Born in London in 1920, Gilbert started his career as a child actor before deciding to move behind the camera, serving as an assistant to Alfred Hitchcock on 1939’s Jamaica Inn.
After serving in the Royal Air Force’s film unit during World War II, Gilbert made his name as a writer and director during the 1950s and 1960s with the likes of Reach for the Sky and Sink the Bismarck! before enjoying huge success with 1966’s Alfie, which was nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture.
The following year, Gilbert went on to direct the first of three 007 movies, You Only Live Twice, before reuniting with Roger Moore for The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. His later credits included 1983’s Educating Rita, 1989’s Shirley Valentine, and his final film Before You Go in 2002.
