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Michael Bates

Michael Bates

Actor · Died January 11, 1978, aged 57 · Jhansi, British India (now Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Hammond Bates was an Indian-born English actor. He was educated at Uppingham School in Rutland and St Catharine's College, Cambridge. Bates served as a Major serving with the Brigade of Gurkhas in Burma before his discharge at the end of World War II. In 1953, while an ensemble member with the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, he appeared in Richard III and All's Well That End's Well. In 1956 he appeared in Hotel Paradiso which starred Alec Guinness, at the Winter Garden Theatre in London. He appeared in many UK television series including Last of the Summer Wine from 1973 to 1975 as Cyril Blamire and It Ain't Half Hot Mum from 1974 to 1977 as Rangi Ram, as well as many others. His role as Rangi Ram caused some controversy as it required Bates to be made-up with fake tan to look like an Indian, which he took to naturally as he was born in India and spoke the Hindi language fluently. On radio he played a variety of characters in the BBC's long-running comedy series The Navy Lark. These were: Able Seaman Ginger, Lt. Bates, Rear Admiral Ironbridge, the Padre and Captain Ignatius Aloysius Atchison. Bates' film roles include Battle of Britain (1969) as Warrant Officer Warwick, Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) as a Lance-corporal, Patton (1970) as Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery (to whom he bore a striking resemblance), Frenzy (1972) by Alfred Hitchcock, and the Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange (1971). On stage, he did Shakespeare at Stratford and the Old Vic and made a big impression as Inspector Truscott in the West End production of Loot by Joe Orton in 1966. He died of cancer in Cambridge, aged 57. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Bates (actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 4, 1920
Died
January 11, 1978 (aged 57)
From
Jhansi, British India (now Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)
Works as
Actor
Titles
19 on MovieCove · 58 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 38 days to Oct 27Down 31% in 30 days

What are Michael Bates' films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
22%
Bonds
22%
Survival
20%
Self
16%
Society
9%
Power
6%
Ideas
6%
Romantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 4 · Wry 0 · Earnest 6

Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 1 · Dark 4

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

Grounded 3 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 2 · Intense 4

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

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

A split, not a type: Casual 5 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 2

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 5 · Affecting 1 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
6
Tense
5
Dread
3
Manic
2
Contemplative
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Fun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

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 Michael Bates' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Bates' 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

58 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Hokusai: An Animated Sketchbook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Narrator

  • Gulliver's Travels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as (voice)

  • The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones(1976)

    as Madman

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Comedy Premiere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Reg Forrester

  • Fall of Eagles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 2 episodes · as Von Ludendorff

  • It Ain't Half Hot Mum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 56 episodes · as Rangi Ram

  • No Sex Please - We're British(1973)

    as Mr. Arnold Needham

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Last of the Summer Wine(1973)

    Show 14 episodes · as Cyril Blamire

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Stone Tape(1972)

    as Eddie Holmes

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Frenzy(1972)

    as DS Spearman

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • A Clockwork Orange(1971)

    as Chief Guard

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel Sandstream

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Jason King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Fox Trot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Arthur

  • Budgie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Minces Nutty

  • Six Dates with Barker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Gasman

  • The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer(1970)

    as Mr. Spimm

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Every Home Should Have One(1970)

    as Magistrate

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Misfit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Wilfreds

  • Patton(1970)

    as Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Arthur? Arthur! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Mr. Harrington

  • Battle of Britain(1969)

    as Warrant Officer Warwick

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Sling Your Hook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Joe

  • Oh! What a Lovely War(1969)

    as Drunk Lance Corporal

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Male of the Species (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred

  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred · as George

  • Male of the Species (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Fred

  • Hammerhead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Andreas / Sir Richard

  • Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River(1968)

    as Dr. Spink

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Salt and Pepper(1968)

    as Inspector Crabbe

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Brahmin Widow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Mr. Ambekar

  • Ooh La La! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Vatelin

  • Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush(1968)

    as Mr. McGregor

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Bedazzled(1967)

    as Inspector Clarke

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Man in a Suitcase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Delacroix

  • ITV Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Harold Radcliff · as Mr. Ambekar

  • Macready's Gala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Mike MacFarland

  • A Passage to India (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Professor Godbole

  • BBC Play of the Month (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Godbole

  • Thirty-Minute Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Gambell · as Mr. Lightfoot

  • Public Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as George

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

    Show 1 episode · as Tommy

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

    Show 1 episode · as Joe · as Mike MacFarland · as Tommy

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

    Show 1 episode · as Shpichelsky

  • Cluff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 20 episodes · as Inspector Mole

  • The Dick Emery Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 161 episodes · Actor

  • The Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe

  • The Four Just Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Corporal Bates

  • No Hiding Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Alec Peters

  • I'm All Right Jack(1959)

    as Bootle

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Starveling

  • Dunkirk(1958)

    as Froome

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Ivanhoe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Will The Simple

  • The Spanish Gardener(1956)

    as Consular Official (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Armchair Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Quay South (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Captain Alan Gerald

  • Carrington V.C. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Major Broke-Smith

  • Sunday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Starveling

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 58 titles from 1950 to 1978; peak year 1972.

Biggest box office

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

$27M worldwide

Highest rated

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

19501978

Peak 1972 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting58 of 58: 58 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score68th

By decade

1950s11 · acting1960s27 · acting1970s20 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 9 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 Michael Bates' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 73rd percentile, the median of all 17; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 64th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 19 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones (1976)

71st percentile spread · 45% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

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 Michael Bates' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Michael Bates work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Bates' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Bernard Cribbins shares the most, 2.

Actors

Mixed roles