British director Michael Winner admits he turned down James Bond in 1971 but has no regrets

British director Michael Winner admits he turned down an offer to helm "Live And Let Die", but he has no regrets - in an interview in the Guardian newspaper (UK).

Winner's film career took the very un-English path of great and early success in Hollywood, although it's been a while since he has made anything memorable.

He is continually amazed by his own bad judgment: he turned down James Bond, The French Connection, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and the remake of King Kong.

"I don't know why I turned down James Bond. I can't imagine. I took the call right there, 1971. 'Are you interested in James Bond?' they said. 'Harry Saltzman would like you to do it.' I said, 'No.' I mean, it's not as if I was making Hamlet! Oh, no thanks, I only do Ibsen! I was only doing thrillers anyway. A moment of lunacy."



Instead, Guy Hamilton returned to direct Roger Moore in his debut outing as James Bond in "Live And Let Die".

But he shrugged it off? In the long run, Winner believes it is better to be "relentless" than "smart". "You have to. Otherwise it would put you in the asylum."

His new autobiography, "Winner Takes All" is published by Robson Books and is out now.

Thanks to `JP` for the alert.

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