Question:
Nobody has mentioned this (I don't think), so I couldn't let the passing of Peter Hunt go without a gentle nod in his direction.
Hunt was the editor of several early Bonds including Dr. No and From Russia with Love, where the great Orient Express fight scene between Connery and Robert Shaw required great skill - 57 cuts in the 115 second sequence. It's also rumoured that he recommended Connery in the role to Cubby Broccoli after editing On the Fiddle in which Connery appeared.
He also moved to the directors chair for the underrated On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which, if Connery had still been in the role, might now be acknowledged as one of the very best (who knows?). As it was, Hunt soon rumbled that Lazenby knew nothing about acting, but told him not to mind; "We're going to have great fun on this" and they did.
Hunt edited the marvellous The Ipcress File, and his commentary on the Anchor Bay R1 disk, alongside director Sidney J. Fury, is one of the best I've heard, not only because Hunt and Fury give an incredible insight into the movie, but also the movie business, and the art of editing and directing. Hunt also came across as a thoroughly nice chap and a gentleman to boot.
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So many films, so little time...
RIP :(
Shame he only ever directed the one Bond...
-- J.
Apparently the producers were keen for him to do more and offered him <I>Diamonds Are Forever</I>, but there was obvious tension between Harry Saltzman and Albert R Broccoli by then, and he just didn't fancy being caught up in it.
A shame, as <I>OHMSS</I> was Hunt's best directorial effort by miles.
Sad news.
Especially as I worked my way through the entire Bond DVDs just over a month ago, including all the docs. He came across as a nice old fella.
Hunt was the editor of several early Bonds including Dr. No and From Russia with Love, where the great Orient Express fight scene between Connery and Robert Shaw required great skill - 57 cuts in the 115 second sequence. It's also rumoured that he recommended Connery in the role to Cubby Broccoli after editing On the Fiddle in which Connery appeared.
He also moved to the directors chair for the underrated On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which, if Connery had still been in the role, might now be acknowledged as one of the very best (who knows?). As it was, Hunt soon rumbled that Lazenby knew nothing about acting, but told him not to mind; "We're going to have great fun on this" and they did.
Hunt edited the marvellous The Ipcress File, and his commentary on the Anchor Bay R1 disk, alongside director Sidney J. Fury, is one of the best I've heard, not only because Hunt and Fury give an incredible insight into the movie, but also the movie business, and the art of editing and directing. Hunt also came across as a thoroughly nice chap and a gentleman to boot.
---
So many films, so little time...
Answers:
RIP :(
Shame he only ever directed the one Bond...
-- J.
Answers:
Apparently the producers were keen for him to do more and offered him <I>Diamonds Are Forever</I>, but there was obvious tension between Harry Saltzman and Albert R Broccoli by then, and he just didn't fancy being caught up in it.
A shame, as <I>OHMSS</I> was Hunt's best directorial effort by miles.
Answers:
Sad news.
Especially as I worked my way through the entire Bond DVDs just over a month ago, including all the docs. He came across as a nice old fella.
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