Glen, a former film editor and second unit director, has truly made a name for himself in the realm of action cinema. His journey began with his first major credit on the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), which marked the start of a long association with the iconic franchise. Over the years, Glen contributed his editing skills to several notable films, such as Peter Yates’ Murphy’s War (1970), the intense courtroom drama Conduct Unbecoming (1975), and later returned to Bond with The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979), both under the direction of Lewis Gilbert.
Eventually, Glen transitioned into directing, making his debut with For Your Eyes Only (1981). That film brought a more grounded and realistic tone to the Bond series, moving away from the more fantastical and gadget-heavy style of its predecessors. He went on to direct four more 007 adventures—Octopussy (1983), A View to a Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), and Licence to Kill (1989)—each showcasing his steady hand and understanding of the franchise’s tone and expectations.
After stepping away from the Bond universe, Glen continued to work behind the camera, helming Aces: Iron Eagle III and the less successful Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, both released in 1992. While his time with Bond remains his most celebrated work, Glen’s broader contributions to film—both in front of and behind the camera—underscore a career deeply rooted in action storytelling and cinematic craftsmanship.
John Glen’s most acclaimed movie is undoubtedly The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), which continues to receive high praise from audiences and critics alike. On the other hand, his film that received the least favorable reception is Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992), which, in contrast, struggled to connect with viewers and garnered more critical scrutiny. While John Glen has worked on a variety of projects throughout his career, these two films represent the high and low points in terms of public and critical response. It’s interesting to see how different films directed by John Glen have fared over the years, with The Spy Who Loved Me standing out as a particularly memorable entry in his filmography.