Skip to content
MovieCove
Harold Pinter

Harold Pinter

Writer, actor and director · Died December 24, 2008, aged 78 · Hackney, London, England, UK

Harold Pinter CH CBE (10 October 1930 – 24 December 2008) was a British playwright, screenwriter, director and actor. A Nobel Prize winner, Pinter was one of the most influential modern British dramatists with a writing career that spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party (1957), The Homecoming (1964), and Betrayal (1978), each of which he adapted for the screen. His screenplay adaptations of others' works include The Servant (1963), The Go-Between (1971), The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), The Trial (1993), and Sleuth (2007). He also directed or acted in radio, stage, television, and film productions of his own and others' works. Pinter was born and raised in Hackney, east London, and educated at Hackney Downs School. He was a sprinter and a keen cricket player, acting in school plays and writing poetry. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art but did not complete the course. He was fined for refusing national service as a conscientious objector. Subsequently, he continued training at the Central School of Speech and Drama and worked in repertory theatre in Ireland and England. In 1956 he married actress Vivien Merchant and had a son, Daniel, born in 1958. He left Merchant in 1975 and married author Lady Antonia Fraser in 1980. Pinter's career as a playwright began with a production of The Room in 1957. His second play, The Birthday Party, closed after eight performances, but was enthusiastically reviewed by critic Harold Hobson. His early works were described by critics as "comedy of menace". Later plays such as No Man's Land (1975) and Betrayal (1978) became known as "memory plays". He appeared as an actor in productions of his own work on radio and film. He also undertook a number of roles in works by other writers. He directed nearly 50 productions for stage, theatre and screen. Pinter received over 50 awards, prizes, and other honours, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2005 and the French Légion d'honneur in 2007. Despite frail health after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in December 2001, Pinter continued to act on stage and screen, last performing the title role of Samuel Beckett's one-act monologue Krapp's Last Tape, for the 50th anniversary season of the Royal Court Theatre, in October 2006. He died from liver cancer on 24 December 2008. Description above from the Wikipedia article Harold Pinter, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 10, 1930
Died
December 24, 2008 (aged 78)
From
Hackney, London, England, UK
Works as
Writer, actor and director
Titles
21 on MovieCove · 95 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 4% in 30 days

What are Harold Pinter's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Drama14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Self
20%
Power
20%
Survival
12%
Bonds
10%
Ideas
3%
Society
2%
Deception6 titles, browse their movies with this themePower5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 1 · Serious 3 · Dark 15

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 10 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

Full focus: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their full focus movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 10

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 1 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 11

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 3 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 8

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Melancholic
8
Dread
5
Cold
4
Contemplative
5
Other
16

How their films linger

Haunting11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous6

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Harold Pinter's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 21 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Harold Pinter's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

95 credits, 21 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Retrógrado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Original Story

  • The Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Writer

  • The New World Order (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Writer

  • National Theatre Live: No Man's Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Theatre Play

  • A Walk By Waiting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Writer

  • Talk Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Theatre Play

  • Harold Pinter: A Celebration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Writer · as Self (archive footage)

  • Sleuth(2007)

    Screenplay · as Man on T.V.

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Krapp's Last Tape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Krapp / Self (Introduction)

  • Celebration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Writer

  • Working with Pinter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Writer · as Self

  • Le Gardien (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Author

  • Art, Truth and Politics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Writer · as self

  • Sotto falso nome(2004)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Caretaker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Author

  • Victoria Station (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Writer

  • The Dwarfs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Writer

  • Catastrophe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as The Director

  • One for the Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Nicolas

  • The Tailor of Panama(2001)

    as Uncle Benny

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Wit(2001)

    as Mr. Bearing

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Mansfield Park(1999)

    as Sir Thomas Bertram

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Against the War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Writer · as himself

  • The Dumb Waiter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Writer

  • Mojo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sam Ross

  • HARDtalk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Breaking the Code (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as John Smith

  • Landscape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Writer

  • The Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Screenplay

  • Party Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Old Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Writer

  • Performance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Writer

  • The Comfort of Strangers(1990)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Handmaid's Tale(1990)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Heat of the Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Writer

  • Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Screenplay

  • Mountain Language (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Writer

  • The Birthday Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Writer · as Nat Goldberg

  • Basements (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Writer

  • Turtle Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Screenplay · as Man in Bookshop

  • Theatre Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Theatre Play · as Goldberg

  • One for the Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Writer

  • The Dumb Waiter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Writer

  • Screen Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Screenplay

  • A Kind of Alaska (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Writer

  • Betrayal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Writer

  • Landscape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Writer

  • The Hothouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Writer

  • Poets Against the Bomb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • The French Lieutenant's Woman(1981)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Caretaker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Writer

  • The Rear Column (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director

  • No Man's Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Writer

  • Langrishe, Go Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Screenplay · as Barry Shannon

  • Do You Remember? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • Die Geburtstagsfeier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • BBC2 Play of the Week (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Writer · as Barry Shannon

  • Laurence Olivier Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • Teatro Estudio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • The Last Tycoon(1976)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Rogue Male(1976)

    as Saul Abrahams

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Screenplay

  • Old Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Writer

  • Arena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 692 episodes · Writer

  • Butley(1974)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Homecoming(1973)

    Screenplay · Theatre Play

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Monologue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Writer

  • Birthday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Writer

  • The Go-Between(1971)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer(1970)

    as Steven Hench

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Last to Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Writer · Actor

  • The Birthday Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Screenplay · Theatre Play

  • The Basement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Writer · as Stott

  • NBC Experiment in Television (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Writer · as Self / (voice)

  • A Night Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Writer

  • Accident(1967)

    Screenplay · as Bell - TV Producer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • A Slight Ache (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Writer

  • The Quiller Memorandum(1966)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Modesty Blaise(1966)

    Co-Writer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Tea Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Writer

  • The Heroes of Telemark(1965)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • In Camera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Garcin

  • The Wednesday Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Garcin

  • The Pumpkin Eater(1964)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Theatre 625 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 3 episodes · Writer · as Stott

  • The Guest(1963)

    Writer · as Man

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Kolleksjonen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Author

  • The Servant(1963)

    Screenplay · as People in Restaurant: Society Man

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Writer

  • Playdate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • The Dumb Waiter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Writer

  • Night School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Writer

  • A Night Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Writer · as Seeley

  • The Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Writer

  • The Servant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Original Film Writer

Career shape

A full career of 94 titles, 92 of them dated from 1960 to 2024.

Biggest box office

The Tailor of Panama (2001)

$28M worldwide

Highest rated

The Servant (1963)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Tailor of Panama (2001)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting27 of 94: 14 only acting, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score75thDirecting8 of 94: 3 only directing, 5 with another roleWriting76 of 94: 58 only writing, 18 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stOther crew1 of 94: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

94 titles, 18 with more than one role — writing and acting overlap on 13 of them.

By decade

1960s22 · 9 acting · 20 crew1970s18 · 4 acting · 16 crew1980s18 · 4 acting · 17 crew1990s13 · 4 acting · 9 crew2000s14 · 6 acting · 9 crew2010s6 · crew2020s1 · crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Harold Pinter's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 71st percentile, the median of all 21; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 68th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 21 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 21 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · writer

The Homecoming (1973)

54th percentile spread · 14% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, writer

The Servant (1963)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 68/100 and the plot and story 48/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a writer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Harold Pinter's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles8–64 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles24–62 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles12–79 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles37–46 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 28 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Harold Pinter work with?

People who share at least 2 of Harold Pinter's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Joseph Losey shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers