Los Angeles – The Directors Guild of America made the following statement upon learning of the passing of Lewis Gilbert:
“The DGA mourns the passing of Lewis Gilbert whose more than 70-year legacy as a film director has served as an inspiration to so many.
“‘Everybody who wants to be a director has to find their own way of directing… I’m calm and I’m kind to people; I find that they react quicker,’ Gilbert once shared when discussing his personal approach across more than 35 feature films.
“Not limiting himself to any one genre, Gilbert found strength in tackling a diverse slate of films; from war dramas like Sink the Bismarck! to light comedies like Alfie – both earning him DGA Award nominations for Outstanding Directing in Feature Film. But his most enduring impact may be his three iconic James Bond films in the 1960s and 70s; You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, where his wit and sly humor elevated the genre. He will be deeply missed.”
Gilbert became a DGA member in 1979.
