Diamonds Are Forever Directed by...Michael Winner ?

Ricardo C.

Yes, according to an interview in 2004, Director Michael Winner declined to direct a James Bond film in 1971. Winner later regretted the decision and it certainly wasn't the only bad move he made that year. He actually turned down the chance to direct The French Connection.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2004/oct/04/biography.books

thesecretagent

Michael Winner is largely a dick...

Ricardo C.

thesecretagent wrote:

Michael Winner is largely a dick...

Yeah I can't disagree on that. Still, he did make some enjoyable films.

Thunderpussy

I always thought QOS was an homage to the Great Michael Winners Directing Style.A great feel of the 80's Death Wish movies

Ricardo C.

Thunderpussy wrote:

I always thought QOS was an homage to the Great Michael Winners Directing Style.A great feel of the 80's Death Wish movies

I should say not unless you're joking. Winner's directing style straight foward and to the point, no real visual interest or any fancy camera movement.

Thunderpussy

I did put a cute Smilley face at the end Ricardo.C, I think Secretagent sumed him up best.

Napoleon Plural

Well maybe Winner just got approached to be put on a shortlist... That doesn't mean much. Not sure what he'd done up to that point to merit consideration; Hannibal Brooks was okay I suppose.

Ricardo C.

Napoleon Plural wrote:

Well maybe Winner just got approached to be put on a shortlist... That doesn't mean much. Not sure what he'd done up to that point to merit consideration; Hannibal Brooks was okay I suppose.

He directed The Jokers and I'll Never Forget What's'isname, both won him critical acclaim at the time. I saw The Jokers myself, it was pretty good. I guess Saltzman liked the way he handled humor.

chrisno1

The Jokers is a very good '60s comedy-thriller.
I think Winner would have made a good stab at DAF, the quirkiness of it would probably appeal to his sense of humour. He'd also like the sleaze of Las Vegas and the sinister characters.
Winner made 2 excellent movies in 1971, Chato's Land and The Mechanic, both starring Charles Bronson. They are stark, brutal movies, which pre-empt Death Wish. Unfortunately it was pretty much all downhill for Mr Winner after 1974...

Ricardo C.

chrisno1 wrote:

The Jokers is a very good '60s comedy-thriller.
I think Winner would have made a good stab at DAF, the quirkiness of it would probably appeal to his sense of humour. He'd also like the sleaze of Las Vegas and the sinister characters.
Winner made 2 excellent movies in 1971, Chato's Land and The Mechanic, both starring Charles Bronson. They are stark, brutal movies, which pre-empt Death Wish. Unfortunately it was pretty much all downhill for Mr Winner after 1974...

I admit that I enjoy Death Wish 3 a lot but he did decend to mediocrity. He also had trouble getting decent scripts after further down his career.