after four years of failed attempts to secure a film part, finally, in 1966, thanks to elizabeth taylor's efforts on his behalf, he was signed on to star in "reflections in a golden eye". in preparation for the shooting of this film, he accepted the role of james bower in the french cold war thriller "the defector", which was filmed in west germany from february to april 1966. clift died on july 23, 1966, before production on "reflections in a golden eye" began.