I have watched The Long Good Friday - it is a good film, i have also seen Alfie and Doctor No, which are also good films.
But that does not excuse the lead actors in all of them playing exactly the same character in every film they make from then on - with no variation of accent, tone, demeanour, exzpression, or appearence.
The ultimate 'emperor's new clothes' adoration of these people is Connery getting an Oscar for The Untouchables, pl\aying an 'Irish' cop.