Michael Powell or Lewis Gilbert

[stuart.uk]

I may surprise many by saying I prefer Lewis Gilbert as a British film director than Michael Powell. Powell seems to be very high thought of in America, but little seems to be known of Gilbert. I admit I Know Where I'm Going and A Matter Of Time are classic movies, but I'm not to sure about The Red Shoes, which is IMO a bit arty.

What I admire about Gilbert is the fact he made classic movies in the 50s like Reach For The Sky, Cast A Dark Shadow and Carve Here Name With Pride. Then in the 60s there were films like 7th Dawn and Bond film You Only Live Twice. Yet in the 70s and 80s he was still going strong with Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita, not to mention a couple of Bond films along the way including IMO Roger Moore's best The Spy Who Loved Me.

[stuart.uk]

There was also Sink The Bismark

I think I'm right in saying that both Julie Walters and Pauline Collins got to reprise their stage roles in ER and SV, due to Gilbert. Hollywood wanted Dolly Parton for 'Rita'