British film director, producer and screenwriter
Attached to the US Air Corps Film Unit during the Second World War.
On April 30, 2001, he was awarded the Fellowship of the British Film Institute.
He was awarded the CBE in the 1997 Queens Birthday Honours List for his services to the film industry.
Brother-in-law of Sydney Tafler and father of John Gilbert.
Has directed four actors to Oscar nominations: Michael Caine (Best Actor, Alfie ; Best Actor, Educating Rita ), Vivien Merchant (Best Supporting Actress, Alfie ), Julie Walters (Best Actress, Educating Rita ), and Pauline Collins (Best Actress, Shirley Valentine ).
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) was the highlight of my career.
His strength was his ability to portray charm; basically he was the,officer returning from the war and was superb in that role. The minute,that kind of role went out of existence, his popularity as a box-office,star began to go down. .
