Skip to content
MovieCove
Oliver Stapleton

Oliver Stapleton

Cinematographer · Born April 12, 1948 (78) · London, England, UK

Oliver David Whiteside Stapleton (born 12 April 1948), BSC is an English cinematographer. He graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1970 with a degree in psychology and from the National Film and Television School (NFTS) UK while working in South Africa (from 1966 to 1974) and England. One of his first efforts was the student film Shadowplay, a film about South African immigrants trying to adjust to life in London, which he wrote, directed, and edited. He progressed to filming music videos and commercials. He worked with many famous bands in the early-to-mid 80s, including a-ha, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Eddy Grant and The Human League.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 12, 1948 (78)
From
London, England, UK
Works as
Cinematographer
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 16% in 30 days

What are Oliver Stapleton's films like?

Across their 45 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy20 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
Bonds
38%
Morality
21%
Self
13%
Society
9%
Power
8%
Survival
6%
Ideas
5%
Family bonds17 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love15 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 45 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 20 · Serious 16 · Dark 9

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 22 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 9

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 17 · Charged 16 · Intense 12

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

A split, not a type: Steady 23 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 7

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 16 · Some laughs 14 · Funny 15

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

Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 26 · Relentless 3

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

Casual 30 · Engaged 13 · 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 22 · Affecting 15 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 37 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
18
Warm
15
Absurd
13
Melancholic
16
Joyful
10
Other
51

How their films linger

Feel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet23
  • Tragic5
  • 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 Oliver Stapleton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Oliver Stapleton'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

70 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The People We Hate at the Wedding(2022)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Completely Bad News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Cinematographer · as Himself

  • Seduction. Betrayal. Murder: The Making of The Grifters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • The Comedian(2016)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Interview with Oliver Stapleton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Hot Pursuit(2015)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Unfinished Business(2015)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Best of Me(2014)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Dinner and a Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Technical Advisor

  • The Guilt Trip(2012)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Will(2011)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Don't Be Afraid of the Dark(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Unthinkable(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Proposal(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • How to Lose Friends & Alienate People(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Water Horse(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Hoax(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Casanova(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • An Unfinished Life(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Cheeky(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Ned Kelly(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Buffalo Soldiers(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Shipping News(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Birthday Girl(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Pay It Forward(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • State and Main(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Journey of Radiance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • The Cider House Rules(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Hi-Lo Country(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Object of My Affection(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Designated Mourner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Cinematographer

  • Jazz '34 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Cinematographer

  • One Fine Day(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Van(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Kansas City(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Restoration(1995)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Look Who's Talking Now(1993)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

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

    Cinematographer

  • Hero(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Let Him Have It(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Grifters(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • She-Devil(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Cookie(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Danny the Champion of the World(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Earth Girls Are Easy(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Mr Jolly Lives Next Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Cinematographer

  • Sammy and Rosie Get Laid(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Aria(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Prick Up Your Ears(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Running Out of Luck(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Absolute Beginners(1986)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Private Enterprise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Cinematographer

  • Consuela (or, The New Mrs Saunders) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Cinematographer

  • My Beautiful Laundrette(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Restless Natives(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Jazzin' for Blue Jean(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Slags (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Eddie Monsoon - a Life? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Fela Kuti: Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Bad News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer · as Himself

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

    Cinematographer

  • The Rupert Bear Story: A Tribute to Alfred Bestall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • The Secret Policeman's Other Ball(1982)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream(1981)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Comic Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • Land Apart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Still Photographer

  • Shadow Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 70 titles, 69 of them dated from 1974 to 2022.

Biggest box office

The Proposal (2009)

$317M worldwide

Highest rated

Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

The Proposal (2009)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting2 of 70: 2 only acting, 0 with another roleDirecting1 of 70: 1 only directing, 0 with another roleCinematography65 of 70: 65 only cinematography, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thOther crew2 of 70: 2 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · crew1980s26 · crew1990s15 · crew2000s14 · crew2010s12 · 2 acting · 10 crew2020s1 · 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 Oliver Stapleton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 49; across their 45 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 58th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 45

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 45

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 45

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

29 of their 49 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser29
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · cinematographer

Running Out of Luck (1985)

81st percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)

Midcredits 95th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 68/100 in their films, across 36 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 54. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

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 Oliver Stapleton's work okay for kids?

Across up to 26 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore17 titles13–68 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity26 titles15–66 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity19 titles20–74 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles27–55 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense13 titles17–67 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian 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 Oliver Stapleton work with?

People who share at least 2 of Oliver Stapleton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Stephen Frears shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles