The British film director Guy Hamilton has died aged 93. Hamilton was determined to work in the film industry and joined a French company as accountant at a young age before becoming clapper boy. He had to escape to Africa on a ship when war broke out, along with Somerset Maugham. He served in the Navy and was nearly captured but escaped thanks to the Resistance. He returned to films after the war, assisting John Huston on The African Queen and Carol Reed on several films, including standing in as double for Orson Welles! Friend Cubby Broccoli offered him the chance to direct Dr. No, the first Bond film, which he had to decline due to prior commitments. However, he later directed four of the popular series of films - Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun. He also directed two war films - Battle of Britain and Force 10 from Navarone, as well as two Agatha Christie adaptations - The Mirror Crack'd and Evil Under the Sun, making him the only person to direct films with both of her most popular characters - Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Hamilton was chosen to direct Superman: The Movie but was unable to at the last minute as production was moved to the UK and he was a tax exile - although he still received his fee! He also declined the chance to direct Batman, which then went to Tim Burton. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/04/21/guy-hamilton-film-director--obituary/ RIP Guy - thanks for some truly memorable films.
