Having started out in the film industry as a clapper boy, by the 40's he was working in the editing department and by the 50's he was an assistant editor then a fully fledged editor. In 1962 as editor on the first James Bond film, Dr No, he helped to create a new fast style which put it's mark on action editing. From then on he was associated with all the early Bond films working his way up to second unit director then his directorial debut with 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' in 1969.
Developed a style he called "crash cutting" for Dr. No (1962).
Although there were talks, he refused to direct the remake of Thunderball (1965), Never Say Never Again (1983), because he was afraid producer Albert R. Broccoli would consider him a traitor. "Never Say Never Again" was produced by old rival Kevin McClory and EON (Broccoli's company) had tried to prevent the making of this non-EON Bond movie.
Studied violin at the London College of Music and the history of art at
the University of Rome before becoming a clapper-boy at Denham Studios
in 1947.
Remained in Italy after the war and studied art history at the University of Rome.
Started as assistant editor at Alexander Korda's London Films.
[on the Bond films, which he likened to paperback novels] My feeling
was always that one should make the films seriously, but never take
them seriously.