Guy Hamilton, who directed fourJames Bondmovies including the 1964 classicGoldfinger,passed awayearlier today at the age of 93. The filmmakerdiedon the Spanish island of Majorca where he lived. No details about thecause of deathwere given at this time, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted with more updates as soon as they come in.
Guy Hamiltonwas born August 07, 2025 in Paris, France, and he got his start in the film business in the late 1940s. He served as directorCarol Reed’s assistant for five years, before becoming an assistant director on his 1949 classic filmThe Third Man. He also served as an assistant director onThe Angel With the Trumpet,The Great Manhunt,Outcast of the Islandsand theJohn HustonclassicThe African Queen, before making his directorial debut in 1951 withThe Ringer.
He went on to directAn Inspector Calls,The Codlitz Story,Charley Moon,The Stowaway Girl,The Devil’s Disciple,A Touch of Larceny,The Best of EnemiesandThe Winston Affair, before directing the iconicJames BondadventureGoldfingerin 1964, the third 007 movie. He would go on to directSean Conneryin his last Bond movie, 1971’sDiamonds Are Forever. He also directedLive and Let Diein 1973, the first movie starring Connery’s predecessor,Roger Moore, followed byThe Man With the Golden Gunin 1974.
The filmmaker’s other notable credits includeFuneral in BerlinstarringMichael Caine,Battle of BritainstarringIan McShane,Force 10 from NavaronestarringRobert ShawandHarrison Ford,The Mirror Crack’dstarringAngela Lansbury,Evil Under the SunstarringPeter UstinovandRemo Williams: The Adventure Beginsstarring Fred Ward. His final feature directorial credit was 1989’sTry This One For SizewithDavid Carradine, but he also directed the 2006 documentary shortOn Location with The Man with the Golden Gun.
WhileGuy Hamiltoncertainly had a storied Hollywood career, he was almost set to direct a few other movies that went on to become huge blockbusters. He was originally attached to direct 1978’sSuperman, when production was scheduled to take place in Italy. StarMarlon Brandorefused to shoot in Italy, which, along with other factors, resulted in the production shifting to England. SinceGuy Hamiltonwas a “tax exile,” and could only be in England for 30 days a year, he was forced to drop out, withRichard Donnertaking over. According toDeadline, the filmmaker was also approached to directBatman, but he turned down the job that was eventually taken byTim Burton. Take a look at the tweets fromRoger Mooreand the official 007 Twitter account thatpay tributeto the director.
