On his Wikipedia entry, I read that Lewis Gilbert shot documentaries for the RAF in World War 2. And then he made war movies & character dramas. And after some reluctance, he was persuaded by Saltzman & Cubby to direct YOLT. I found it hard to believe that somebody who made character dramas directed 3 of the epic, expansive, extravagant & nonsensical movies of the Bond franchise.
But as a Bond director, I rank him at the bottom. Along with Tamahori, Spottiswoode & Kershner, I feel he is the weakest Bond director. His three movies are virtually clones of each other. Triplets dressed up in different clothes. And they follow the dreaded Bond formula to a T. Too stereotypical. Nothing different. And his triplets rank at the bottom of the pack in my movie rankings.
So what do you think of Lewis Gilbert as a Bond director? Please consider all three triplets.
I'm afraid I love him. I like that big, bold, outrageous approach. Twice is my favourite Connery Bond. Spy was great (and would have been twice as good with a Barry score) and I loved most of Moonraker. It gets worse.... I also think Spottiswoode was the best Brosnan director and Tamahori produced the second best one. Sorry!