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Graham Crowden

Graham Crowden

Actor · Died October 19, 2010, aged 87 · Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

The imposing Scottish character actor Graham Crowden was one of the most recognizable and reliable British screen actors who worked for over half a century. He was the third of four children of a Scottish Presbyterian classics teacher. His first job was in a tannery in Edinburgh. He joined the Royal Scots Youth Battalion in 1940, but was invalided out after being accidentally shot by his own platoon sergeant. After studies at Edinburgh Academy, he worked for the stage in 1944 as student assistant stage manager at the Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. This was followed by repertory experience in Dundee, Glasgow, Nottingham and with the Bristol Old Vic. A prolific actor at the Royal Court from the mid-1950's, and later with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Laurence Olivier's National Theatre. Tall and possessed of an incisive manner, resonant voice and larger-than-life personality, Crowden was at his best in eccentric portrayals as mad scientists or flawed men-of-the-cloth. One of his most memorable film appearances was as the maniacal chief surgeon in Lindsay Anderson's Britannia Hospital (1982). In television, he turned down the role of Doctor Who (1963) in 1974 but later appeared in it opposite Tom Baker, who had been cast as the Doctor instead, to give the series one of its most memorably over-the-top villains. He also achieved success in later life in television comedies such as A Very Peculiar Practice (1986) and opposite Stephanie Cole in Waiting for God (1990). He continued to act until shortly before his death.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
November 30, 1922
Died
October 19, 2010 (aged 87)
From
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 131 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 65 days to Oct 28Down 11% in 30 days

What are Graham Crowden's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Power.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography 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
Self
25%
Power
19%
Society
18%
Morality
16%
Ideas
10%
Bonds
8%
Survival
5%
Identity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass5 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 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 5 · Wry 2 · Earnest 10

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 4 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 10

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

Gentle 6 · Charged 6 · Intense 5

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

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 6

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 8 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 5

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

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 6 · Engaged 9 · 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 8 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 6

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 8 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 9

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 5
Trickster
1 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5
Hero
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Absurd
10
Melancholic
9
Contemplative
7
Warm
4
Other
16

How their films linger

Thought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous4

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 Graham Crowden's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Graham Crowden'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

131 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page.

  • Midsomer Murders: 25 Years of Mayhem(2022)

    as Reggie Barton

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Calendar Girls(2003)

    as Richard

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Appointment with Dr. Terrible (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Interviewee – Actor

  • The Planman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Lord Belford

  • Foyle's War(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Sir John Sackville

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Possession(2002)

    as Sir George

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Prof MacLewton

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Waking the Dead(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sir Cyril Barrett

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Senator

  • Don Quixote(2000)

    as Montesino

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Vanity Fair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lord Bareacres

  • The Sea Change (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Chairman of the Board

  • I Want You(1998)

    as Old Man

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Soul Music (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 7 episodes · as Mustrum Ridcully (voice)

  • Soul Music (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Mustrum Ridcully (voice)

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Reggie Barton

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Richard II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as John of Gaunt

  • The Innocent Sleep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as George

  • Fantoosh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Old Man

  • Gulliver's Travels(1996)

    Show as Professor of Politics

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Love on a Branch Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Professor Pollux

  • Alleyn Mysteries(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Henry Ancred

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Thacker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Humphrey Folland

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

    Show 1 episode · as John of Gaunt

  • Waiting for God(1990)

    Show 45 episodes · as Tom Ballard

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Kremlin Farewell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lipetkin

  • Oxford (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Professor Temple

  • A Handful of Dust(1988)

    as Mr. Graceful

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Didn't You Kill My Brother? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Judge Hate

  • The Modern World: Ten Great Writers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Home Secretary

  • The Happy Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Chief Justice (voice)

  • East of Ipswich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Headmaster

  • My Husband and I (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Withers

  • All Passion Spent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Herbert

  • All Passion Spent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 3 episodes · as Herbert

  • A Very Peculiar Practice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 14 episodes · as Dr Jock McCannon

  • Out of Africa(1985)

    as Lord Belfield

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Code Name: Emerald(1985)

    as Sir Geoffrey Macklin

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Bleak House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lord Chancellor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Headmaster · as Lipetkin

  • Monsignor Quixote (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as The Bishop

  • Much Ado About Nothing(1984)

    as Friar Francis

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Company of Wolves(1984)

    as Old Priest

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Chance in a Million (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Reverend Dodge

  • Partners in Crime(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Floating Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as French

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

    as Caius Lucius

  • Flying Into the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Judge Wood

  • Tales Out of School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Wood

  • The Cleopatras (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 6 episodes · as Theodotus

  • The Beggar's Opera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Player

  • The Comic Strip Presents... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Hate · as Professor Temple

  • The Missionary(1982)

    as Fitzbanks

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Britannia Hospital(1982)

    as Professor Millar

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • For Your Eyes Only(1981)

    as First Sea Lord

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Beloved Enemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Sir Peter

  • Doctor Who: The Horns of Nimon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Soldeed

  • The Professionals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Minister

  • 1990 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Three Dangerous Ladies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Collins, the Butler

  • Jabberwocky(1977)

    as Fanatics' Leader

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Hardcore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Lord Yardarm

  • Raffles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Star Maidens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · as Minister

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

    as The Butler

  • Porridge: No Way Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Prison Doctor

  • Rumpole of the Bailey(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Hector MacAuliffe

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Shades of Greene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as The Colonel

  • The Little Prince(1974)

    as The General

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Abdication(1974)

    as Barberini

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Father Brown(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel James Bohun

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Zodiac (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Rodney Tyce

  • Romance with a Double Bass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Count Alexei

  • The Final Programme(1973)

    as Dr Smiles

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • O Lucky Man!(1973)

    as Stewart / Prof. Millar / Meths Drinker

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Amazing Mr. Blunden(1972)

    as Mr. Clutterbuck

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Ruling Class(1972)

    as Truscott

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Chastity Belt(1972)

    as Sir Coward de Custard

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Something to Hide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Lay Preacher

  • The Snow Goose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Recruiting Officer

  • The Guardians (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as The Dirtiest Man

  • The Ten Commandments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Prof. David Cuthbertson

  • The Night Digger(1971)

    as Mr. Bolton

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

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

    as Alfred Spaulton

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as The Bishop

  • The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer(1970)

    as Bishop of Cowley

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Don Quick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Zeus

  • Play for Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Leo the Last(1970)

    as Lawyer Max

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Wiggy

  • Curse of the Mummy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Mr. Trelawny

  • Catweazle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Gobbling

  • Happy Ever After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Miles Hart

  • The Virgin Soldiers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as MO

  • The File of the Golden Goose(1969)

    as Smythe

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • W. Somerset Maugham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Marsh

  • Two in Clover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Harker

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

    Show 1 episode · as Punchinello

  • If....(1968)

    as History Master

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Oliver

  • Not in Front of the Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Mumford

  • Much Ado About Nothing(1967)

    as Verges

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Morgan!(1966)

    as Counsel

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Mystery and Imagination (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Abel Trelawney

  • Dead Man's Chest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Murchie

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

    Show 1 episode · as James Telfer

  • One Way Pendulum(1965)

    as Prosecuting Counsel

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mayhew

  • HMS Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 5 episodes · as Commander Shaw

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Doctor Who(1963)

    Show 3 episodes · as Soldeed

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as The Potter

  • Sergeant Cork (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Ben Tovey

  • We Joined the Navy(1962)

    as Naval Officer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Finlay's Casebook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Harpers West One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 10 episodes · as Edward Cruickshank

  • Why Bother to Knock!(1961)

    as Scoutmaster

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Drama 61-67 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as General Questero · as Master · as Mr. Marco

  • Sunday-Night Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Lancelot the Spiritualist

  • On Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Lycett Green

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

    Show 1 episode · as Plimmer

  • The Bridal Path (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Man Giving Directions to the Beach (uncredited)

  • Edgar Wallace Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Murchie

  • Charlesworth at Large (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 6 episodes · as Landlord

  • Fair Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mike Mott

  • Nicholas Nickleby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mark Price

  • The Adventures of Robin Hood(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Friar Dennis

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Recruiting officer

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

    Show 1 episode · as De Foy · as Sir Andrew Aguecheek

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 129 titles from 1950 to 2003; peak year 1983.

Biggest box office

Out of Africa (1985)

$228M worldwide

Highest rated

O Lucky Man! (1973)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Out of Africa (1985)

Film career

19502003

Peak 1983 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 1966Screen debut· Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
  • 1982First top-billed film· Britannia Hospital
  • 1982Career best· Britannia Hospital

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting129 of 129: 129 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score61st

By decade

1950s10 · acting1960s29 · acting1970s35 · acting1980s30 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s9 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 6% of 17 roles
667686

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Graham Crowden's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Much Ado About Nothing (1967)

82nd percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Midsomer Murders: 25 Years of Mayhem (2022)

Midcredits 96th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 74/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 54. 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 Graham Crowden's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 72 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles38–65 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian 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 Graham Crowden work with?

People who share at least 2 of Graham Crowden's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tom Priestley shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors