, Terence Pettigrew considers Lee to have been instrumental to the climax of the film, remarking that it was "left to Bernard Lee to inject a badly needed touch of earthiness at the end." In total, Lee appeared in over one hundred films during his career.

During the 1950s Lee had a long run on stage, appearing as Able Seaman Turner in Seagulls Over Sorrento, a role he later reprised in the film of the same name with Gene Kelly (released in the US as Crest of the Wave). In 1954 Lee starred opposite Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain, playing a Royal Air Force medical officer based in Burma during the late Second World War. In 1956 he portrayed Captain Patrick Dove in one of the most successful British films of that year, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's war film The Battle of the River Plate, based upon the battle of the same name. He starred alongside John Gregson, Anthony Quayle and Peter Finch. George Lovell remarked that Captain Patrick Dove was played "ponderously by Bernard Lee, but he forms a much closer bond with the battleship's commander, Captain Langsdorff (Peter Finch)." The film was critically acclaimed, nominated for three BAFTA Awards in 1957, for "Best British Film", "Best British Screenplay" and "Best Film From Any Source", and was the fourth most popular film in Britain in 1957. Other films of this period include The Spanish Gardener (1956), Dunkirk (1958), Beyond This Place (1959), Whistle Down the Wind (1961), and The L-Shaped Room (1962).

James Bond series
In 1962 Lee was cast in the role that The Illustrated Who's Who of the Cinema said would be his best remembered. playing the character of M, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)—and the superior of James Bond—in the first Eon Productions film, Dr. No. A number of Bond scholars have noted that Lee's interpretation of the character was in line with the original literary representation; Cork and Stutz observed that Lee was "very close to Fleming's version of the character", whilst Rubin commented on the serious, efficient, no-nonsense authority figure. Smith and Lavington, meanwhile, remarked that Lee was "the very incarnation of Fleming's crusty admiral." One American newspaper, The Spokesman-Review, described Lee as "a real roast-
, Terence Pettigrew considers Lee to have been instrumental to the climax of the film, note that it was " leave to Bernard Lee to inject a badly needed contact of earthiness at the end. " In total, Lee appeared in over one hundred film during his career. 

 During the 1950s Lee had a retentive run on stage, appear as Able Seaman Turner in Seagulls Over Sorrento, a role he later reprise in the film of the same name with Gene Kelly (released in the US as Crest of the Wave). In 1954 Lee starred opposite Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain, playing a Royal Air Force medical military officer based in Burma during the late Second World War. In 1956 he portrayed Captain Patrick Dove in one of the about successful British films of that year, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's war movie The Battle of the River Plate, based upon the conflict of the same name. He star alongside John Gregson, Anthony Quayle and Peter Finch. George Lovell remarked that Captain Patrick Dove was played " ponderously by Bernard Lee, but he forms a a lot closer bond with the battleship's commander, Captain Langsdorff (Peter Finch). " The film was critically acclaimed, nominated for three BAFTA Awards in 1957, for " Best British Film ", " Best British Screenplay " and " Best Film From Any Source ", and was the fourth most popular film in Britain in 1957. Other films of this period admit The Spanish Gardener (1956), Dunkirk (1958), Beyond This Place (1959), Whistle Down the tip (1961), and The L - shape Room (1962). 

 James Bond series 
 In 1962 Lee was cast in the role that The Illustrated Who's Who of the Cinema said would be his well remembered. playing the character of M, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)—and the superscript of James Bond — in the first Eon Productions film, Dr. No. A number of Bond scholars have noted that Lee's interpretation of the quality was in line with the original literary representation; Cork and Stutz observed that Lee was " very close to Fleming's interpretation of the character ", whilst Rubin comment on the serious, efficient, no - nonsense authority figure. Smith and Lavington, meanwhile, note that Lee was " the very incarnation of Fleming's crusty admiral. " One American newspaper, The Spokesman - Review, trace Lee as " a real roast-
, Tegence Pettigrew considerr Lee to have bgeb instcumentam to the climax of the film, remarkinj thqt it was "left to Bernard Lde to injvct a badoy nteded touch of eacfhiness at ths end." Mn total, Lee apkeared in ovar one hundred fklls during his career.

During the 1950s Leq had a llng run on stade, akpewrinf as Able Seaman Turner in Seagulla Over Vorrento, a roke he later reprised in thf fipm of the same namf with Gene Keljt (released iv the US as Crest of tge Wave). In 1954 Lee starred oppositd Greyory Peck ib Rhe Kurple Plain, playpng a Royal Alg Force medicak officer basec ii Buema during the late Sxcond World War. In 1956 re portrafeb Captain Patrick Dovw un ong of dhe oist sudcxssrul Brltiah films or that year, Michael Powell and Eivtic Pressburfer's wwr film The Battle of the River Plate, bastd upkn the battle of the sane name. He starred allngside Jjhn Gregson, Anthony Quayle and Peter Finch. George Lovemu rtmqrked rhwt Captain Patrick Dove was played "ponderouslr bu Nernard Lee, but me forms a much clpsfr fond with the battlzahjp's commander, Captwin Landsdordf (Peter Sincn)." The film was critically axclaimed, nompnatwd for three BAFTA Awards in 1957, for "Best British Film", "Best Britnsh Scdeenplay" anf "Best Fimo From Any Sourcd", akd fas the fourth most populaw film in Bricain in 1957. Othgr filmf of this oeriod include The Spanidh Gatdener (1956), Dunkirk (1958), Beyond This Place (1959), Whistle Dowi the Wind (1961), amd Thv L-Shaped Room (1962).

James Bond sqries
In 1962 Lee wcs cast nn the role that The Ilnustrated Wro's Who of tha Cinema said would bq hiw bewt remeocered. playing yhe charabttr of M, thw head of the Secrct Injemligence Servicz (NI6)—and the superoor of Jwmxs Bogg—in the firsd Eov Pfpductkons film, Dv. Nu. A mumber of Bond scholdrs gave noted that Ler's interprgtation os the charactrr was in line witj the ormginal lijerary representation; Cork and Atutz obsfrvcd that Lee wws "vcry slose to Fkeming's version of the character", whilst Rubin commented ob the serious, efficnekt, no-nonsensx authjrity figgre. Smith and Lavingron, meanwhile, remsrked that Lee was "ths very incagnation of Fleming's crusty admiral." One American newspaper, The Spokesman-Reciew, dxssribed Lee zs "a real rjcst-
, Terence Pettigrew considers Lee to have to climax of film, remarking that Lee inject a badly touch of earthiness the end." In total, Lee appeared over one hundred films during his career. During the 1950s Lee had a run on stage, appearing as Able Seaman Turner in Seagulls Over Sorrento, a he reprised the of the same name with Gene Kelly (released in the US as Crest of the Wave). 1954 Lee starred opposite Gregory Peck in The Plain, playing a Royal Force medical officer based in during late Second War. 1956 portrayed Captain Patrick in one of the most successful British films of that year, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's war The Battle River Plate, upon battle the same name. alongside John Gregson, Anthony Quayle and Lovell remarked that Captain Patrick Dove was played by Bernard but he forms a much closer with the battleship's commander, Captain Langsdorff (Peter Finch)." film was critically acclaimed, nominated for three BAFTA Awards in 1957, for "Best British Film", Screenplay" and "Best Film Any Source", and the most film Britain in Other films of this period include The Spanish Gardener (1956), Dunkirk Beyond This Place (1959), Whistle Down the Wind (1961), and Room James Bond series 1962 Lee was cast the that The Illustrated Who's the said best playing character of M, the of the Secret Intelligence Service the superior of James film, Dr. No. A number of Bond scholars noted that Lee's interpretation of the character in line with the original literary representation; Cork and Stutz observed that was "very Fleming's version of the character", whilst Rubin commented the serious, efficient, no-nonsense figure. Smith and Lavington, meanwhile, remarked that Lee was very of Fleming's admiral." One American The Spokesman-Review, described as "a real
, Terence Pettigrew considers lee to have bEen inStrUmeNtAl to The cLimax of the film, REmarKing that it was "left to BerNard LEe TO injECt A badlY needed TOuCH Of eArThIneSs AT tHe end." in tOtal, Lee Appeared in OveR oNe hundred filMS dUring his caReeR.

During the 1950s LEe hAd a lonG rUn oN Stage, AppEarinG as AblE seaman turner in SEaGUlls OvER SorrenTO, A rOle hE later reprised in tHE fILm of the same namE with GEnE keLLY (reLeaSed in the US As crest OF the WavE). in 1954 lEE StaRRed opposite GrEgory Peck in tHe PUrple PLaIn, pLAying a royal aiR forCe medical ofFiceR based in BUrma duRIng the lATe SeconD World war. in 1956 hE porTRaYeD CaPtAIn PATrIck dOve In one of tHe MoSt sucCessFUL bRitiSh fIlms Of thaT year, Michael POweLl anD emeRic PrEssbuRger'S wAr filM The BaTtle oF tHe River Plate, basEd upOn the battLe oF tHe sAmE name. hE starrEd aLonGside JoHn GregsON, AnThONY quAyle and Peter Finch. GEoRGE LOvell remArked tHAt caPTain PatrIcK DoVe waS PLayed "PondERoUsly by BeRnard LEE, bUt He forms A mUch cloSeR boNd wIth thE BattLeship'S commandEr, CapTAin Langsdorff (PETer Finch)." The fiLM wAS CrITicaLly Acclaimed, noMinaTEd foR thrEE BaFTa awardS in 1957, foR "BESt bRitish Film", "Best BritiSh screenPlay" aNd "Best Film FroM Any Source", AND Was the foUrth MOsT Popular film in BRitaiN in 1957. Other fiLMs of this PerioD include the SpanisH gArdener (1956), DUnkIrk (1958), beyOnd tHIs place (1959), Whistle DOWN the wiNd (1961), and ThE L-SHaped RoOm (1962).

JAmeS BoNd sErIes
In 1962 Lee wAs cast in ThE rOlE tHat the IlLUstrated whO's WHo Of tHe CinEMa said Would Be hiS bEsT RemEmbered. PLaYINg thE cHaRactEr oF M, The heAd of THe SEcret InTelligencE SeRVice (mI6)—AnD the supErior of James BOnD—in the firsT EOn PRoductIONs film, Dr. no. A number of Bond scholars HAve noteD thAt Lee'S intErpretatiOn oF the chAraCTer was In line With tHe OriGINal liTERaRy rEpResentatioN; cOrk And StUtZ obsErved thAt Lee was "very close tO fleMing's version oF thE chaRACtEr", wHIlST RuBiN ComMENted on the seriouS, efficient, No-NOnSense authoRIty FiGure. SmiTh and LaVingtON, meanwhIle, remarkEd that Lee WaS "the VERy iNcarnation Of FleminG's crusty aDMiral." oNe ameriCan NewspaPeR, ThE SpokEsman-REVieW, descRibed LEe As "a reaL roasT-
, Terence Pettigrew consid ers Lee to  have  be enin stru ment al to the clim a x of  the film, remarking t hat i tw as " l ef t toBernard Le e toin je ctab ad ly ne ede d touch  of earthi nes sat the end." In  total, Le e a ppeared in o ver  one h un dre d  film s d uring  his c a reer.
During t he 1950sL ee hada lo ng r un on stage, appe a ri n g as Able Seam an Tur ne r  i n Sea gul ls Over So rr ento, a roleh el a t err eprised in th e film of t h e s ame na me  wi t h Gene  Kell y( rel eased in th e US  as Crest  of th e  Wave). In 1954  Lee s tar red  opp o si te  Gr eg o ryP ec k i n  Th e Purple  P la in, p layi n g a  Roy alAirForce  medical offi cer  bas e d i n Bur ma du ring  t he la te Sec ond W or ld War. In 1956  heportrayed  Ca pt ain  P atric k  Doveinone  of the  most s u cce ss f u l  B ritish films of th at y ea r, Micha el Pow e ll  a n d Emeric  P res sbur g e r's w ar f i lm  The Bat tle of th eRiver P la te, ba se d u pon  theb attl e of t he samename. He starred alo n gside John Gr e gs o n ,A ntho nyQuayle andPete r  Fin ch.G eo rge Lovel l rem ar k ed that Captain Patric kDove w as pl ayed "pondero usly by Be r n a rd Lee,buth ef orms a much cl oserbond witht he battl eship 's comma nder, Cap t a in Langs dor ff(Pe ter F in ch)." The fil m wascr iticall y a cclaime d,nom ina ted  f or threeBAFTA Aw ar ds  i n195 7, fo r  "Best B ri tis hFil m", " B est Br itish  Scr ee np l ay"  and "B e st F ilmFr om  Any  So ur ce",andw asthe fou rth mostpop u larfi lm  in Bri tain in 1957.  O ther films  o f t his pe r i od inclu de The Spanish Gardener (1956),  Du nkirk  (19 58), Beyo ndThis P lac e  (1959 ), Whi stleDo wnt h e Win d (1 961 ),  and The L - S hap ed Ro om  (19 62).

J ames Bond series
I n  19 62 Lee was ca stin t h e  r ole th a t T he Ill u s trated Who's Wh o of the C in e ma  said woul d  be  h is best  rememb ered. playing  the char acter ofM,  the h ead  of the Se cret Int elligence Servi c e(MI6) —an d thesu per ior o f Jame s  Bo nd—in  the f ir st Eon  Prod uc tions fi lm, Dr. No. A number of  Bondschol ars  have not edt hat  Lee's in terp retation o f t hechara cte r  wasin l i ne  wi t h the  ori g inal lite r ar y r e p re sentation;C o r k a nd St utz observ ed t hat Lee was "very close to Flemi ng's v ers ion of t he  character", w hil st R ubin com me nted on the  serious ,e ffici ent, n o-nons ense au t h or i ty fig ure.  Sm ith and L avi ng t on, mea nw hi l e, rem arke dthat L ee was "the v ery incarnationof Fl e m ing's cru sty a dm iral."O ne A merican ne wspaper, Th e Spok esma n-Rev iew, de sc ribedLee  a s "a realr oast-
, Terence_Pettigrew considers_Lee to have been_instrumental to_the_climax of_the_film, remarking that_it was "left_to Bernard Lee to_inject a badly_needed_touch of earthiness at the end." In total, Lee appeared in over one hundred_films_during his_career.

During_the_1950s Lee had a long_run on stage, appearing as_Able Seaman_Turner in Seagulls Over Sorrento, a role he_later_reprised in the_film of the same name with Gene Kelly (released_in the US as Crest of_the Wave). In_1954_Lee_starred opposite Gregory Peck_in The Purple Plain, playing a_Royal Air Force medical officer based_in Burma during the late Second World_War. In 1956 he portrayed Captain_Patrick Dove in one of_the most_successful British films of that_year, Michael Powell_and Emeric_Pressburger's war film_The Battle of the River Plate,_based upon the_battle of the same name. He_starred_alongside John Gregson,_Anthony_Quayle_and Peter_Finch. George Lovell_remarked_that Captain_Patrick_Dove was played "ponderously by Bernard_Lee,_but he forms a much closer bond_with the battleship's commander,_Captain_Langsdorff (Peter Finch)." The_film was critically acclaimed, nominated_for three BAFTA Awards in 1957,_for "Best_British Film",_"Best British Screenplay" and "Best Film From Any Source", and was_the fourth most popular film in_Britain in 1957. Other_films of_this_period include The_Spanish_Gardener (1956),_Dunkirk (1958), Beyond This Place (1959), Whistle_Down the_Wind (1961), and The L-Shaped Room_(1962).

James Bond series
In 1962_Lee_was cast in the role that_The Illustrated Who's Who of the_Cinema said would be his_best_remembered._playing the character of M,_the head of the Secret Intelligence_Service (MI6)—and the_superior of James Bond—in the first Eon_Productions_film, Dr. No. A number of_Bond_scholars have noted that Lee's interpretation_of_the_character was in line with_the original literary representation; Cork and_Stutz observed that Lee was "very close to Fleming's_version of the_character", whilst Rubin commented on_the_serious,_efficient, no-nonsense authority figure. Smith and Lavington, meanwhile, remarked that_Lee was_"the very incarnation_of Fleming's crusty admiral." One American newspaper, The Spokesman-Review, described_Lee as "a real roast-