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Philip Saville

Philip Saville

Director, actor and writer, also producer · Died December 22, 2016, aged 86 · London, UK

Philip Saville (sometimes credited as Philip Savile, born 28 October 1930, London) is a British actor who turned to television direction and screenwriting in the late 1950s. During the 1960s he directed several important television plays, such as Harold Pinter's A Night Out (1960) for ABC's Armchair Theatre anthology series, and the lost Madhouse on Castle Street (1963) for the BBC. The later production became famous as the first acting appearance of the American folk singer Bob Dylan, whom Saville had flown over to the UK specifically to take part in the play. Other notable programmes on which Saville worked included Out of the Unknown (1965) and the Boys from the Blackstuff (1982) for which Saville received a BAFTA to add to his earlier BAFTA for Hamlet. In film Saville directed The Fruit Machine (1988, released as Wonderland in the USA), Metroland (1997) and The Gospel of John (2003). Saville has been called one of the UK's top 100 directors of all time. He is active in film and television as of 2006, and has a masterclass studio in London specializing in dramatic improvisation. Philip Saville has recently completed a special documentary on Harold Pinter Pinter's Progress for Sundance international television channels and UK's Sky Arts. Saville is currently developing further arts programming with Sundance and British TV company 3DD Productions including Discovering Hamlet now in production. Description above from the Wikipedia article Nina Axelrod, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 28, 1930
Died
December 22, 2016 (aged 86)
From
London, UK
Works as
Director, actor and writer, also producer
Titles
13 on MovieCove · 99 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 30% in 30 days

What are Philip Saville's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
26%
Self
16%
Ideas
14%
Society
13%
Bonds
13%
Power
9%
Survival
9%
Justice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 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 2 · Serious 4 · Dark 5

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 6 · Intense 4

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

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

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 7 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 2 · Engaged 7 · 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 2 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 5

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

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Melancholic
6
Contemplative
6
Warm
3
Dread
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Thought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic2

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 Philip Saville's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 6 of their 13 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Roku Channel (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Philip Saville'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

99 credits, 13 with a MovieCove page.

  • Return of the Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Discovering Hamlet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director

  • Pinter's Progress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • The Gospel of John(2003)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Biographer(2002)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • My Uncle Silas(2001)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Metroland(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Little White Lies(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Deacon Brodie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director

  • The Buccaneers(1995)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Wall of Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Family Pictures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

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

    Director

  • The Cloning of Joanna May (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Crash: The Mystery of Flight 1501(1990)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Max and Helen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Fellow Traveller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Fruit Machine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • First Born (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • First Born (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Mandela(1987)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Shadey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Those Glory Glory Days(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Boys from the Blackstuff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • The Journal of Bridget Hitler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director · Writer · as Self

  • Design for Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Sam's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Rotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Count Dracula(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Count Dracula (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Cork and Bottle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director

  • The Velvet Glove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Meriel the Ghost Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Shuttlecock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Plays for Britain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Director

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

    Director

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

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • A Dream of Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Private Affairs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

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

    Director

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

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

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Teleplay

  • The Actual Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Second City Firsts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Orson Welles' Great Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Access to the Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director

  • The Creditors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Writer

  • In the Beautiful Caribbean (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • O Fat White Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

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

    Director · Story

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

    Director

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

    Director

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

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • The Long Distance Piano Player (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director

  • The Best House in London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Oedipus the King(1968)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Machine Stops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director

  • Exit 19 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Writer

  • Five More (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Writer

  • Stop the World: I Want to Get Off(1966)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

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

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Out of the Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Logic Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director · Writer

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

    Show 1 episode · Director · Writer

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

    Director · Writer

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

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Adaptation

  • Hamlet at Elsinore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director

  • Prisoner and Escort (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director

  • Living Image (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director

  • The Paradise Suite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director

  • The Madhouse on Castle Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director · Producer

  • Afternoon of a Nymph (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director

  • Night Conspirators (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director

  • Armchair Mystery Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

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

    Director

  • An Honourable Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mark Anthony

  • The Great Van Robbery(1959)

    as Chase

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Three Crooked Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Seppy

  • On the Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Driscoll

  • The Betrayal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Bartel

  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Director · Producer

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

    Show 38 episodes · Director · Writer

  • Contraband Spain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Martin Scott

  • Bang! You're Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Ben Jones

  • The Mirror and Markheim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Markheim

  • The Night of the Full Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Dale Merritt

  • The Straw Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Link Hunter

  • Murder at 3am (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Edward "Teddy" King / Jim King

  • A Piece of Cake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Dinner Guest

  • The Blind Goddess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Mainwaring's Junior

  • To the Public Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Man in pub watching billiards game (uncredited)

  • Penny and the Pownall Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Slim, Police Car Driver

Career shape

A full career of 99 titles from 1948 to 2014.

Biggest box office

The Gospel of John (2003)

$4.1M worldwide

Highest rated

The Gospel of John (2003)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

The Buccaneers (1995)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting16 of 99: 16 only acting, 0 with another roleDirecting83 of 99: 68 only directing, 15 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thWriting12 of 99: 0 only writing, 12 with another roleProducing3 of 99: 0 only producing, 3 with another role

99 titles, 15 with more than one role.

By decade

1940s4 · acting1950s12 · 10 acting · 2 crew1960s25 · 1 acting · 24 crew1970s29 · crew1980s12 · crew1990s10 · crew2000s5 · crew2010s2 · 1 acting · 1 crew

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.

How do Philip Saville's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 11; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 46th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 13 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 13 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · director

Little White Lies (1998)

85th percentile spread · 32% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Gospel of John (2003)

Midcredits 90th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 61/100 and the pacing 40/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

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.

Who does Philip Saville work with?

People who share at least 2 of Philip Saville's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Greg Miller shares the most, 3.

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers