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Leo McKern

Leo McKern

Actor · Died July 23, 2002, aged 82 · Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reginald "Leo" McKern, AO (16 March 1920 – 23 July 2002) was an Australian-born English actor who appeared in numerous British and Australian television programmes and movies, and more than 200 stage roles. Description above from the Wikipedia article leo McKern, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 16, 1920
Died
July 23, 2002 (aged 82)
From
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Works as
Actor
Titles
35 on Motif · 92 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 9% in 30 days

What are Leo McKern's films like?

Across their 26 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Power.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their Motif 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
35%
Power
18%
Self
16%
Bonds
14%
Survival
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
3%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 2 · Dark 12

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 7

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 9 · Charged 7 · Intense 7

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

Steady 18 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

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 12 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 7

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 10 · 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 10 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 1

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 10 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 10

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

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

20 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 7 of 20 analyzed roles.

Shadow
7 of 20
Mentor
4 of 20
Hero
2 of 20
Ally
2 of 20
Threshold guardian
2 of 20
Herald
1 of 20
Trickster
1 of 20
Shapeshifter
1 of 20
Show the 20 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Contemplative
9
Joyful
7
Melancholic
11
Dread
7
Other
22

How their films linger

Thought-provoking14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous5

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 Leo McKern's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 35 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Leo McKern's titles on Motif; 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

92 credits, 35 with a Motif page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Molokai(1999)

    as Bishop Maigret

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Federation (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Henry Parkes

  • Circles of Deceit: Sleeping Dogs (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    as Alexander Petrov

  • The Beatles Anthology(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Clang (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Dad and Dave: On Our Selection (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    as Dad Rudd

  • Good King Wenceslas (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    as Duke Phillio

  • A Foreign Field (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Cyril

  • The Last Romantics (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch

  • Screen One (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Cyril

  • The Master Builder (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    as Halvard Solness

  • Travelling North (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    as Frank

  • Hell Fire Jack: The John Curtin Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Narrator

  • Ladyhawke(1985)

    as Father Imperius

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Murder with Mirrors(1985)

    as Insp. Curry

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch

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

    as Sancho Zancas

  • The Chain (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    as Thomas

  • Reilly: Ace of Spies(1983)

    Show 4 episodes · as Zaharov

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • King Lear (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Gloucester

  • The Boxwallah (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Edwin Coote

  • Country (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    as Sir Frederick Carlion

  • The French Lieutenant's Woman(1981)

    as Dr. Grogan

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Rumpole's Return (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    as Horace Rumpole

  • The Blue Lagoon(1980)

    as Paddy Button

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The House on Garibaldi Street(1979)

    as David Ben-Gurion

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Nativity (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as King Herod

  • The Last Tasmanian (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Damien: Omen II(1978)

    as Carl Bugenhagen (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Candleshoe(1977)

    as Bundage

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Omen(1976)

    as Carl Bugenhagen (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Our Mutual Friend (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 6 episodes · as Nicodemus 'Noddy' Boffin

  • Rumpole of the Bailey(1978)

    Show 42 episodes · as Horace Rumpole

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Rumpole of the Bailey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    as Horace Rumpole

  • The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother(1975)

    as Moriarty

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Christmas Messenger (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    as (voice)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Henry

  • Space: 1999(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Companion

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Churchill's People (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as King Penda

  • The Sun Is God (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    as JMW Turner

  • Massacre in Rome(1973)

    as Gen. Kurt Maelzer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • An Afternoon at the Festival (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Leo

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sancho Zancas

  • Ryan's Daughter(1970)

    as Thomas Ryan

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Horace Rumpole · as Sir Frederic Carlion

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

    Show 1 episode · as Leo

  • On the Eve of Publication (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as Robert Kelvin

  • The Shoes of the Fisherman(1968)

    as Cardinal Leone

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher(1968)

    as Captain Grimes

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Nobody Runs Forever (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as Mr Flannery, Premier of New South Wales (uncredited)

  • Assignment K (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as Smith

  • The Prisoner(1967)

    Show 3 episodes · as Former Number Two

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Edwin Coote

  • Mafia No! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    as Narrator

  • Alice in Wonderland (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    as Duchess

  • A Man for All Seasons(1966)

    as Thomas Cromwell

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Death of Socrates (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    as Socrates

  • The Drinking Party (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    as Socrates

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

    Show 1 episode · as Azdak

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mark

  • Help!(1965)

    as Clang

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders(1965)

    as Gauner Squint

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

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

    Actor

  • King & Country(1964)

    as Capt. O'Sullivan

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Robert Kelvin

  • The Life of Galileo (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Galileo

  • They All Died Laughing(1964)

    as Professor Kerris Bowles-Ottery

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Agent 8 3/4(1964)

    as Simoneva

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Horse Without a Head (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Roublot

  • Children of the Damned(1964)

    as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Festival (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Galileo

  • Doctor in Distress(1963)

    as Mr. Harry "Luther" Heilbronn (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Inspector (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    as Brandt

  • The Day the Earth Caught Fire(1961)

    as Bill Maguire

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Danger! Men Working (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    as Jerry McMahon

  • I Like Money(1961)

    as Muche

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Billy Driscoll

  • Jazz Boat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Supr. Baker

  • Scent of Mystery (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Tommy Kennedy

  • The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Yesterday's Enemy(1959)

    as Max

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Mouse That Roared(1959)

    as Benter

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Web of Evidence (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as McEvoy

  • Chain of Events (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    Writer

  • A Tale of Two Cities(1958)

    as Old Bailey

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Time Without Pity(1957)

    as Robert Stanford

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • X: The Unknown (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Inspector McGill

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

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Warren · as Jerry McMahon · as Sam Arlen

  • All for Mary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    as Gaston Nikopopoulos

  • The Adventures of Robin Hood(1955)

    Show 2 episodes · as Herbert of Doncaster

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 2 episodes · as Roublot

  • Murder in the Cathedral(1951)

    as Third Knight

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Kostylyov, Owner of the Dosshouse · as Zdarov

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 92 titles from 1950 to 1999; peak year 1965.

Biggest box office

The Blue Lagoon (1980)

$59M worldwide

Highest rated

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Rumpole of the Bailey (1978)

Film career

19501999

Peak 1965 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 5 Motif titles. 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
Acting91 of 92: 91 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rdWriting1 of 92: 1 only writing, 0 with another role

By decade

1950s14 · 13 acting · 1 crew1960s34 · acting1970s20 · acting1980s16 · acting1990s8 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
566171

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 Motif, 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 Leo McKern's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 72nd percentile, the median of all 29; across their 23 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 70th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Murder in the Cathedral (1951)

66th percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Midcredits 94th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 23 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif 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 Leo McKern's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 Motif titles with content scores, 2 of the 5 categories sit near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles16–41 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles12–60 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 18 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 33 · 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 Leo McKern work with?

People who share at least 2 of Leo McKern's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Le Mesurier shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers