John Gielgud
ActingAbout John Gielgud
Sir Arthur John Gielgud, OM, CH, was an English actor, director, and producer. A descendant of the renowned Terry acting family, he achieved early international acclaim for his youthful, emotionally expressive Hamlet which broke box office records on Broadway in 1937. He was known for his beautiful speaking of verse and particularly for his warm and expressive voice, which his colleague Sir Alec Guinness likened to a silver trumpet muffled in silk. Gielgud is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Gielgud reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of John Gielgud's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Gielgud remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best John Gielgud Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Gielgud's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Gielgud.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Nothing Like a Dame | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films | Hogarth (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Discovering Hamlet | King Hamlet's Ghost (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | The Tichborne Claimant | Cockburn | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Elizabeth | The Pope | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Quest for Camelot | Merlin (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | David | Stimme Gottes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Hamlet | Priam | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Looking for Richard | Self - Interviewee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Shine | Cecil Parkes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | DragonHeart | King Arthur (voice) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Power of One | St. John | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Shining Through | Sunflower | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Swan Song | Svetlovidov | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Prospero's Books | Prospero | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | The Strauss Dynasty | Drechsler | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | A Man for All Seasons | Cardinal Wolsey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Canterville Ghost | Sir Simon de Canterville | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Leave All Fair | John Middleton Murry | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | The Shooting Party | Cornelius Cardew | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Scarlet and the Black | Pope Pius XII | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Gandhi | Lord Irwin | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Laurence Olivier: a life | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Arthur | Hobson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Chariots of Fire | Master of Trinity | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Lion of the Desert | Sharif El Gariani | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Mystery | Marquis of Caterhan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Elephant Man | Carr Gomm | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Why Didn't They Ask Evans? | Reverend Jones | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Les Misérables | Gillenormand | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Richard II | John of Gaunt | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Romeo and Juliet | Chorus | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | No Man's Land | Spooner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Providence | Clive Langham | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Picture of Dorian Gray | Lord Henry Wotton | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Murder on the Orient Express | Mr. Beddoes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Frankenstein: The True Story | Chief Constable | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Home | Harry | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | Oh! What a Lovely War | Count Leopold Von Berchtold | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Shoes of the Fisherman | The Elder Pope | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | Chimes at Midnight | Henry IV | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | Becket | King Louis VII of France | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | To Die in Madrid | Narrator (English version) (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | The Cherry Orchard | Gaev | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Around the World in 80 Days | Foster | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Richard III | George, Duke of Clarence | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Julius Caesar | Cassius | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | A Diary for Timothy | Hamlet | Hit | Similar → |
John Gielgud - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Gielgud?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Gielgud is "Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has John Gielgud acted in?
John Gielgud has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Gielgud?
Other notable films include "Laurence Olivier: a life", "The Strauss Dynasty", and "The Elephant Man".