(May 15, 1932–     ): British film director who joined the Bond series as a second unit director and editor on On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, later directed the famous Asgard Jump on The Spy Who Loved Me, then went on to direct five James Bond films—For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, The Living Daylights, and Licence to Kill—more than any other director.

A native of Sunbury-on-Thames, England, Glen had worked for several years as a supervising editor and a director on various TV series when director Peter Hunt invited him to become the editor and second unit director on OHMSS. Having a solid background in action film editing and second unit work, Glen still found it difficult to convince producer Albert R. Broccoli that he should direct For Your Eyes Only in 1981. Glen eventually won the assignment and delivered a terrific 007 adventure.

Reflecting on the longevity of the series, he told film journalist Craig Modderno in 1989, “Bond has never been corrupted and has always been a citizen above suspicion doing the right thing. In times of mixed morality and abuse of power by many of the people we admire, it’s nice to know James Bond is still around to show what heroes are all about!”[1]

[1] John Glen, interview by Craig Modderno, Los Angeles, June 30, 1989.