Initially a child actor in silent films, Lewis Gilbert served during
the Second World War in the American Air Corps Film Unit, later making
a number of short documentaries. The best known of his early features
are war-related subjects, including Reach for the Sky (1956), Carve Her Name with Pride (1957)
and Sink the Bismarck!
(1960). During the 60s Gilbert directed Michael
Caine in the iconic cynical sex comedy Alfie
(1966).
Gilbert directed the lavish James Bond adventures You Only Live Twice (1967),
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
and Moonraker (1977), but the latter
two were lacklustre additions to the franchise. Gilbert was thought
to be a reliable but emotionally cool director, at his best with action
and adventure, but during the 80s he directed two Willy Russell stage
plays adaptations, the successful comedies Educating Rita (1983) and Shirley
Valentine (1989). Lewis Gilbert's subsequent films include the eerie
but flat James Herbert adaptation Haunted (1995) starring Aidan Quinn
and Kate Beckinsale.
