Michael Culver

Michael Culver
Born (1938-06-16) 16 June 1938
Hampstead, London, England
Occupation Actor
Years active 1956–present
Spouse(s) Lucinda Curtis (1962–1986)
Amanda Ward (? – present)

Michael Culver (born 16 June 1938) is an English actor.[1] He was born in Hampstead, London, the son of actor Roland Culver and casting director Daphne Rye.[2] He was educated at Gresham's School.

Actor

Culver's aunt, father, mother and brother all had theatrical careers. Culver gained experience at the Old Vic, Dundee Rep (performing in 35 plays in 2 years) and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Culver has appeared in several television series in recurring roles, as Squire Armstrong in The Adventures of Black Beauty (1972–74), Major Erwin Brandt in the BBC drama Secret Army (1977–78), crooked banker Ralph Saroyan in the second series of The House of Eliott (1992) and the strict Prior Robert ('Brother Prior') in Cadfael (1994–98).

His guest roles include an episode of The Professionals (1982) as Lawson, Miss Marple "The Moving Finger" (1985) as Edward Symmington and as Sir Reginald Musgrave, in the episode "The Musgrave Ritual" (1986) in the Granada Television series The Return of Sherlock Holmes.

He appeared as Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and played a major part in A Passage to India (1984) as a bigoted police inspector. In 2008, he appeared in a guest role in Sidetracked, the first episode of Wallander. Culver was in the first ever episode of New Tricks in 2003 as a corrupt dinosaur detective.

He performed in three of Tricycle Theatre’s Tribunal Plays: Nuremberg (A distillation of the 1945–46 Nuremberg trials – of leading Nazi war criminals); Half the Picture (From transcripts from the Scott Inquiry into Arms-to-Iraq – the first play to be performed in the Palace of Westminster.) and The Colour of Justice (The dramatisation of the evidence given during Sir William Macpherson’s inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, his family's search for justice and endemic racism in the police force). They were directed by Nicolas Kent. The Colour of Justice and Half the Picture and were broadcast by the BBC Television.

Activism

Culver protesting during the Stop the War march, Trafalgar Square, 15 March 2008

Culver is a peace activist and supporter of Brian Haw who protested in Parliament Square, opposite the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, from 2001 to 2011. On the day Tony Blair appeared for the first time at the Chilcot Inquiry into the invasion of Iraq, Michael Culver was shown on BBC News (and later used on Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe) outside shouting "If we're going to have a police state, at least organise it properly!"

Theatre

Won Best Touring Production in Theatrical Management Association Awards. Michael Culver played Sir William Macpherson. Casts also included; James Woolley, Jenny Jules, David Robb, Kenneth Bryans, Michael Attwell, Christopher Fox, Tyrone de Rizzio (Neville Lawrence), Yvonne Pascal (Doreen Lawrence), Hugh Simon, Roderic Culver, Robert East, Leon Stewart (Duwayne Brooks), Jeremy Clyde (Michael Mansfield QC), Tim Woodward, Jan Chappell, Thomas Wheatley, Tanveer Ghani and Michael Cochrane.

Michael Culver played Albert Speer. Other cast members included: Michael Cochrane (as Hermann Göring), William Hoyland (as Field-Marshal Wilhelm Keitel), Jeremy Clyde (as Alfred Rosenberg), Thomas Wheatley (as Rudolf Höss), Richard Heffer and Colin Bruce.

First play to be performed in the Palace of Westminster. Michael Culver (played Gore-Booth and Sir Nicholas Lyell), with Michael Stroud (as Richard Scott), Jan Chappell (as Presiley Baxendale QC), Sylvia Syms (as Margaret Thatcher), William Hoyland (as John Major and Geoffrey Robertson), Jeremy Clyde (as Alan Clark), Raad Rawli (as Alan Moses QC), Thomas Wheatley (as William Waldegrave), Robert East (as J. K. Galbraith and Tristan Garel-Jones) and David Robb (as Michael Heseltine).

Michael Culver played Roald Amundsen. The rest of the cast was: Robert Powell (Captain Robert Falcon Scott), Stephanie Beacham (Kathleen Scott), Bill Stewart (Lieutenant Henry Robertson Bowers, "Birdie"), Donald Gee (Dr Edward Adrian Wilson, "Bill"), Neil Philips (Captain Lawrence Oates, "Titus") and David Troughton (Petty Officer Edgar Evans).

Michael Culver as Lord Goring. Other cast members included: Lucinda Curtis (as Lady Chiltern), Harold Reese, Anthony Howden, Raymond Graham, John Counsell, Jenny Quayle, Mary Kerridge, Wendy Williams and John Humphry.

Michael Culver played Young Macduff. The cast also included: Hubert Gregg, Clive Wood, Donald Burton, Brian Jackson, Colin Baker, Nigel Bennett, Terry Mason, Adrian Scarborough and Heather Sears; Fights directed by Donald Burton.

Michael Culver played The Earl of Harpenden. Others in the cast included: Jeffrey Segal, Doran Godwin, John Stratton, Richard Warwick and Anna Calder-Marshall.

Michael Culver played Mike Danbury. Cast included: June Barry, Peter Sallis, Frank Middlemass, Anthony Sharp and Carol Cleveland.

Michael Culver played Charles. The cast included: Gwen Watford, Gemma Jones, Joyce Carey, Andrew Ray, Carmel McSharry, Michael Goodliffe and Marda Vanne.

Michael Culver played Capt. Wickham. Cast also included: Jack Allen, Petra Davies, Susan Jameson, Terence Longdon and Michael Gaunt.

Michael Culver played Peter Quilpe. Others in the cast included: Hugh Burden, Meg Wynn Owen and Joyce Carey.

Michael Culver played Ellis Petersen. Others in the cast included Charles Hyatt, Ron Randell, John Bentley and Jessie Matthews.

Michael Culver played Charles. The cast also included: Eleanor Bron, Zena Walker, Neil Stacey, June Brown, Michael Gwynn, Sheila Gish, James Aubrey and Sylvia Coleridge.

Michael Culver played Alexander. The cast also included: Robin Bailey, Frances White, Heather Chasen, Paul Eddington and Sheila Burrell.

Cast included: Sean Connery, Barry Foster, Michael Gough, Peter Bayliss, Vivien Merchant, Eileen Way, Gary Watson, Simon Oates and Roy Stewart. Producers: Roger L. Stevens, William Zeckendorf, designer: Boris Aronson, costume designer: Freddy Wittop, composers: Richard Rodney Bennett and Daphne Oram; H. M. Tennent Ltd. At Dundee Repertory Theatre 1959–1961

Casts including; Lucinda Curtis, Edward Fox, Glenda Jackson, Bruce Boa, Jeffery Dench, Ann Way, Nicol Williamson, Jimmy Gardner, Rowena Cooper, Tom Conti, Gawn Grainger, Prunella Scales, Frances White, Patrick Godfrey, Monica Evans, Trevor Martin, William Marlowe and Elizabeth MacLennan.

Shakespeare At the Old Vic Directed by Michael Benthall London with casts including Judi Dench, Coral Browne, Edith Evans, Harry Andrews, John Gielgud, John Neville, Barbara Jefford, Paul Daneman, Harold Innocent, Charles West, Dennis Chinnery, Derek Godfrey, David Waller, James Culliford, Edward Hardwicke, Barrie Ingham, Derek Francis, Ronald Fraser, Adrienne Hill, Colin Spaull and John Humphry.

Michael Culver played the second footman and was the ASM. The cast included: Patrick Newell, Gawn Grainger and Jane Hylton.

Radio and voice work

"Breizh has a problem. The World Cup looms and all eyes are on FRANCE. Down on the estate, something stirs." Others in the cast: Philip Madoc and Frances Jeater. BBC Radio 4 Saturday Play 30 May 1998 repeated 20 March 1990

Michael Culver voiced Rachmaninoff. Other contributions from Vladimir Ashkenazy (speaker and piano), Jonathan Kydd (Yermakov voice over), Boris Berezovskii (piano), Shura Cherkassky (piano), Mikhail Falkov (tenor), Alexander Fedin (tenor), Joan Rodgers (soprano). With Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorus.

Cast included Anton Lesser (Xavier March), Graham Padden (Krause), Robert Portal (Jost), Peter Ellis (Max Jarger), Thomas Copeland (Pili), Andrew Sachs, Amanda Walker, Patrick Godfrey, Michael Byrne, Ian Gelder, Angeline Ball, William Scott Masson, Stratford Johns, Eleanor Bron, Dan Fineman, Alice Arnold and Trevor Nichols, with Ned Sherrin, Jonathan Coleman and Alan Dedicoat. Goldhawk Radio production. Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 June 1997

Cast included: Rosalind Shanks and David Neal The play deals with human love and how it is so often impossible for one person to really know another.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1963 From Russia with Love Man in a Punt Uncredited
1965 Thunderball Vulcan Bomber Crewman Uncredited
1966 You’ll Know Me by the Stars in My Eyes Timothy Condon-Watt
1969 The Body Stealers Lieutenant Bailes
Goodbye, Mr. Chips Johnny Longbridge
Crossplot Jim
1972 The Fast Kill Jeremy Dryden
1975 Conduct Unbecoming Lt. Richard Fothergill
1976 Short Ends 2nd Policeman
1977 Colour of Darkness
1980 Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Capt. Needa
1984 A Passage to India Major McBryde

1961–1970

Year Title Role Notes
1961 You Can't Win Det. Con. Haywick Episode: To Await Collection
1962 Maigret Episode: The White Hat
Studio 4 The Victorian Chaise Longue
Silent Evidence Reporter Episode: Driven to the Brink
1963 Picardy Affair
Moonstrike Fl. Lt Glynn Episode: Home by Four
The Plane Makers Wally Episode: A Good Night's Work
Suspense Robin Gregson Episode: The Patch Card
1965 R3 Lt. Lewis Episode: The Critical Moment
1966 The Spies Muir Episode: Go Ahead, I Only Live Here
Play of the Month Holborn Episode: The Devil's Eggshell
1967 The Revenue Men Foster Episode: Man in a Wheelbarrow
Summer Playhouse James Episode: The Man who Understood Women
Man in a Suitcase Danny Episode: The Bridge
1968 ITV Playhouse Mr. Harrison Episode: Rogue's Gallery: The Curious Adventures of Miss Jane Rawley
The Gamblers Jeremy Compton Episode: The Wrecker
The Avengers Price Episode; Get-A-Way!
1969 The First Churchills Charles Churchill 6 episodes, TV Mini-series
1970 ITV Playhouse Man Episode: The Creeper
Tales of Unease Johnson Episode: Calculated Nightmare
Drama Playhouse Jerry Episode: "The Befrienders – Drink a Toast to Dear Old Dad"

1971–1980

Year Title Role Notes
1971 Elizabeth R John Tregannon TV mini-series
Doomwatch Minister's PPS Episode: No Room for Error
Persuasion Captain Harville 3 episodes, TV mini-series
The Ten Commandments Richard Episode; Husband and Friend
The Guardians Paul Episode: I Want You to Understand Me
1972 The Persuaders! Kurt Episode: Nuisance Value
The Befrienders Jerry 11 episodes
No Exit Symons Episode: Queen's Messenger
Villains Glazebrook/Peter Glazebrook 3 episodes
Shirley's World Lt Commander Episode: The Islanders
Public Eye Dr. Pembroke Episode: Many a Slip
ITV Saturday Night Theatre Tony Richards Episode: Ted
1972–74 The Adventures of Black Beauty Squire Armstrong (recurring role) 31 episodes
1973 Special Branch Health Inspector Episode: Polonaise
New Scotland Yard George Reed Episode: Diamonds Are Forever
1974 Seven Faces of Woman Robert Spens Episode: Lets Marry Liz
1975 Härte 10 Axel 3 episodes, TV mini-series
Whodunnit? Victor Simmons Episode: Evidence of Death
Thriller Simon Burns Episode: Nurse Will Make It Better
Within These Walls Robin Vestey Episode: Let the People See
Churchill's People Earl Spencer Episode: Mutiny
Sutherland's Law John Melrose Episode: A Lady of Considerable Talent
The Main Chance Roger Lockhart Episode: We're the Bosses Now
Softly Softly Paul Ashworth Episode: Blind Alley
Space: 1999 Pete Irving Episode: The Guardian of Piri
1976 Couples Dennis Jenkins 3 episodes
The Duchess of Duke Street Major Farjeon 3 episodes
Dame of Sark Colonel Graham TV movie
1976–77 Warship Lt. Mannering/Commander. Cleveland 2 episodes
1977 ITV Playhouse Carstairs Episode: Short Back and Sides
Philby, Burgess and Maclean Donald Maclean TV movie
The New Avengers Walters Episode: Hostage
Van der Valk James Episode: Dead on Arrival
1978 Armchair Thriller Dr. Walcott Brown 4 episodes: The Limbo Connection Parts 1, 2, 4 and 6
The Sweeney Dave Leeford Episode: Money, Money, Money
Crown Court Dennis Broadley Episode: Through the Bottom of a Glass Darkly Part 1
Secret Army Major Erwin Brandt (recurring role) 22 episodes
1979 Call My Bluff 2 episodes
1980 Heartland Tony Erskine Episode: Working Arrangements
Breakaway Ernest Clifford 5 episodes: The Local Affair Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
Dick Turpin Colonel De Courcey Episode: Blood Money
Turtle's Progress Joseph 'Joey' Chalk Series 2 Episode 1
Shoestring Stephen Brook Episode: Room with a View
Hammer House of Horror Mark Charlie Boy
Rain on the Roof Malcolm TV movie

1981–1990

Year Title Role Notes
1981 The Bunker Gen. Mohnke TV movie
Diamonds David Kremer 8 episodes
A Fine Romance Ben Episode: Unlucky in Love
Second Chance Mr Seymour 3 episodes
Fanny by Gaslight Lord Manderstone
1982 Minder Soames Episode: Poetic Justice, Innit?
ITV Playhouse Murray Episode: The Reunion
Squadron Grp. Capt. James Christie 10 episodes
Foxy Lady Nigel Cavendish 1 episode
The Professionals (1982) – "Lawson's Last Stand" Lt. Col. Peter Lawson Lawson's Last Stand
1983 Live from Pebblemill Duke of Wellington Episode: The Battle of Waterloo
All for Love John (ex-husband) Episode: Mrs Silly
The Bounder Reggie Thorne Episode: Third Party
Chessgame Nick Hannah 6 episodes
A Breath of Fresh Air Stanhope Forbes TV movie[3]
1985 Miss Marple: The Moving Finger Edward Symmington TV mini-series
1986 The Return of Sherlock Holmes Sir Reginald Musgrave Episode: The Musgrave Ritual
Casualty James Jarvis Episode: Blood Brothers
1988 Hannay Major Edmund Philipson Episode: Death with due notice
Game, Set, and Match Dicky Cruyer 13 episodes
1989 Countdown to War Lord Halifax TV movie
The Justice Game Brian Ash 2 episodes
Saracen Sir Anthony Episode: Ratline
Boon Greg Simpson Episode: Love Letters from a Dead Man
1990 TECX Mark Frobisher Episode: A Soldier's Death
The Green Man Dr. Thomas Underhill 3 episodes

1991–2000

Year Title Role Notes
1991 The New Zorro Aragan Episode: The Whistling Bandit
Shrinks Sir Hugo Dyer 1 episode
For the Greater Good Sir Christopher St Place 2 episodes
The Darling Buds of May Sir George Bluff-Gore 3 episodes
1992 The House of Eliott Ralph Saroyan 7 episodes
Screen One Mr Gervaise Episode: Losing Track
Lovejoy Arnold Featherstone Episode: Members Only
The Piglet Files Hugo Wittersham Episode: Guerrillas in the Mist
1993 Emmerdale Philip Wallace
Inspector Morse Maugham Willowbank Episode: The Day of the Devil
Growing Pains Episode: "Back in Your Own Backyard"
1994–98 Cadfael Prior Robert
1996 Half the Picture Sir Nicholas Lyell/Gore Booth TV movie
Neverwhere Portico Episode: Knightsbridge
1997 Victoria and Albert (Network First Disraeli TV mini-series, Episode: A Queen Alone
Touching Evil Pathologist 2 episodes
WOW
1999 The Colour of Justice Sir William McPherson TV movie
The Queen’s Nose D. Gallows Episode: "Harmony’s Return"

2001–2010

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Anybody's Nightmare Lord Bingham TV movie
2003 New Tricks Ian Lovett 1 episode
2004 Spooks Hugo Weatherby 1 episode, uncredited
2005 Derailed Lord Cullen TV movie
2006 Good Girl, Bad Girl Koslowski TV movie
Murder City Michael Anderson Episode: Just Seventeen
The Impressionists Cézanne's father 1 episode, TV mini-series
2007 The Three Dumas 3rd Marquess Davy De La Pailleterie Documentary
2008 Wallander Hugo Sandin Episode: Sidetracked

2011–present

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Doctors Father Finbar Flynn Episode: Telling

Documentary

Year Title Role Notes
1975 One Million Hours Drama documentary
1981 More British than the British Narrator
1987 Surcouf: Diving to Disaster Narrator Drama documentary
1988 Affairs of the Hart Narrator
1990 Oceans of Wealth Narrator
1991 The Transmission of Roger Bacon Roger Bacon Drama documentary
Tradecraft Narrator

References

  1. "Michael Culver". BFI.
  2. Michael Culver Biography (1938–)
  3. Melissa Hardie (1995). 100 Years in Newlyn: Diary of a Gallery. Hypatia Publications. p. 1982. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
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