Ian McKellen
Actor | Writer
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. He is the recipient of six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BIF Award, two Saturn Awards, four Drama Desk Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards. He has also received two Academy Award nominations, eight BAFTA film and TV nominations and five Emmy Award nominations. McKellen's work spans genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. His notable film roles include Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies and Magneto in the X-Men films.
Filmography - Acting
Filters:
Job:
Marley (2021)
As: Scrooge (rumored)
A music re-imagining version of Charles Dickins' well-known novel A Christmas Carol.
Directed by: Bill Condon
Stars: Ian McKellen
Cats (2019)
As: Gus the Theater Cat
A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.
Runtime: 110 min.
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Stars: Ian McKellen | Idris Elba | Taylor Swift | James Corden | Jennifer Hudson
The Good Liar (2019)
As: Roy Courtnay
An aging con artist cannot believe his luck when he meets a wealthy widow and marks her as his next target. But she hides a secret of her own.
Directed by: Bill Condon
Stars: Ian McKellen | Helen Mirren
All Is True (2018)
As: Henry Wriothesley
A look at the final days in the life of renown playwright William Shakespeare.
Runtime: 101 min.
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Stars: Ian McKellen | Kenneth Branagh | Judi Dench | Jack Colgrave Hirst | Kathryn Wilder
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018)
As: King Lear
Considered by many to be the greatest tragedy ever written, King Lear sees two ageing fathers – one a King, one his courtier – reject the children who truly love them. Their blindness unleashes a tornado of pitiless ambition and treachery, as family and state are plunged into a violent power struggle with bitter ends.
Runtime: 227 min.
Stars: Ian McKellen | Danny Webb | Sinéad Cusack | Kirsty Bushell | James Corrigan
McKellen: Playing the Part (2018)
As: Himself
Built upon a 14 hour interview, McKellen: Playing the Part is a unique journey through the key landmarks of McKellen's life, from early childhood into a demanding career that placed him in the public eye for the best part of his lifetime. Using an abundance of photography from McKellen's private albums and cinematically reconstructed scenes, a raw talent shines through in the intensity, variety and ...
Runtime: 92 min.
Directed by: Joe Stephenson
Stars: Ian McKellen | Luke Evans | Adam Brown | Milo Parker | Scott Chambers
The Paul O'Grady Story (2017)
As: Himself
A razor-witted entertainer who found fame as two people - first his drag queen alter ego, Lily Savage, and then as himself. This documentary film charts the unique career of a working class Merseysider whose life away from the spotlight has often been far more dramatic than the consistently successful career he has enjoyed on stage and screen.
Runtime: 90 min.
Stars: Christopher Biggins | Tracy-Ann Oberman | Andy Collins | Andrew Collins | Michelle Butterly
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
As: Cogsworth
A live-action adaptation of Disney's version of the classic tale of a cursed prince and a beautiful young woman who helps him break the spell.
Runtime: 129 min.
Directed by: Bill Condon
Stars: Josh Gad | Luke Evans | Kevin Kline | Emma Watson | Dan Stevens
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin (2017)
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin celebrates one of the world’s most beloved storytellers, following his evolution from a conservative son of the Old South into a gay rights pioneer whose novels inspired millions to reclaim their lives.
Runtime: 90 min.
Directed by: Jennifer M. Kroot
Stars: Laura Linney | Jonathan Groff | Margaret Cho | Armistead Maupin | Kate Bornstein
Edmund the Magnificent (2017)
As: Narrator
When news breaks that the county pig fete's being revived, the once-legendary Farmer decides to make one final roll of the dice - and invest his life savings in a thoroughbred piglet with which to breed new life back into his now dilapidated farm. But when he puts young Edmund out to breed and the lad abstains, the Farmer's forced on a journey that will challenge everything he thought he knew about pigs, ...
Runtime: 14 min.
Directed by: Ben Ockrent
Stars: Ian McKellen | David Bradley | Rebecca Front | Mark Bonnar
Judi Dench: All the World's Her Stage (2016)
As: Himself
This documentary celebrates one of Britain’s greatest actors, Dame Judi Dench, and looks back over her remarkable 60-year career.
Runtime: 60 min.
Directed by: Francis Whately
Stars: Colin Salmon | Judi Dench | Daniel Craig | Ann Mitchell | Sam Mendes
National Theatre Live: No Man's Land (2016)
As: Spooner
One summer's evening, two ageing writers, Hirst and Spooner, meet in a Hampstead pub and continue their drinking into the night at Hirst's stately house nearby. As the pair become increasingly inebriated, and their stories increasingly unbelievable, the lively conversation soon turns into a revealing power game, further complicated by the return home of two sinister younger men.
Runtime: 141 min.
Directed by: Sean Mathias
Stars: Ian McKellen | Patrick Stewart | Owen Teale | Damien Molony
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC (2016)
From the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, David Tennant, Catherine Tate and guests mark the life of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death.
Runtime: 120 min.
Directed by: Bridget Caldwell | Robin Mason | Tim Taggart | Gregory Doran
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch | Joseph Fiennes | Judi Dench | David Tennant | Catherine Tate
The Roof (2016)
As: And Even Yet Another Fan
A brief comedy about a visit from a legendary theatre maker and his legion of fans.
Runtime: 10 min.
Directed by: Natalie Abrahami
Stars: Ian McKellen | Jude Law | Rory Kinnear | Natalie Dormer | Noma Dumezweni
Animal Crackers (2016)
As: Horatio P. Huntington (voice)
A family must use a magical box of Animal Crackers to save a rundown circus from being taken over by their evil uncle Horatio P. Huntington.
Runtime: 94 min.
Directed by: Tony Bancroft | Jaime Maestro | Scott Christian Sava
Stars: Ian McKellen | Sylvester Stallone | Emily Blunt | John Krasinski | Lydia Rose Taylor
The Dresser (2015)
As: Norman
One fateful night in a small English regional theatre during World War II a troupe of touring actors stage a production of Shakespeares King Lear. Bombs are falling, sirens are wailing, the curtain is up in an hour but the actor/manager Sir who is playing Lear is nowhere to be seen. His dresser Norman must scramble to keep the production alive but will Sir turn up in time and if he does will he be able ...
Runtime: 105 min.
Directed by: Richard Eyre
Stars: Ian McKellen | Emily Watson | Anthony Hopkins | Sarah Lancashire | Vanessa Kirby
Mutant vs. Machine (2015)
As: Himself
A nine-part making-of documentary that has cast and crew look at story/character areas and the original comics, what Singer brings to the film, cast and performances, costumes, sets and production design, photography and shooting 3D, music, editing, and sound design, various effects, aspects of the "Rogue Cut", the film's reception and what to expect from the next movie.
Runtime: 53 min.
Stars: Shawn Ashmore | James McAvoy | Daniel Cudmore | Michael Fassbender | Chris Claremont
Mr. Holmes (2015)
As: Sherlock Holmes
The story is set in 1947, following a long-retired Holmes living in a Sussex village with his housekeeper and rising detective son. But then he finds himself haunted by an unsolved 50-year old case. Holmes' memory isn't what it used to be, so he only remembers fragments of the case: a confrontation with an angry husband, a secret bond with his beautiful but unstable wife.
Runtime: 104 min.
Directed by: Bill Condon
Stars: Ian McKellen | Laura Linney | Hattie Morahan | Patrick Kennedy | Milo Parker
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
As: Gandalf
Immediately after the events of The Desolation of Smaug, Bilbo and the dwarves try to defend Erebor's mountain of treasure from others who claim it: the men of the ruined Laketown and the elves of Mirkwood. Meanwhile an army of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler is marching on Erebor, fueled by the rise of the dark lord Sauron. Dwarves, elves and men must unite, and the hope for Middle-Earth falls into Bilbo's ...
Runtime: 144 min.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Stars: Cate Blanchett | Ian McKellen | Benedict Cumberbatch | Martin Freeman | Richard Armitage
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
As: Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto (Old)
The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods as they join forces with their younger selves in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.
Runtime: 132 min.
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Stars: James McAvoy | Jennifer Lawrence | Michael Fassbender | Halle Berry | Hugh Jackman
Miss in Her Teens (2014)
As: The Prologue
An adaptation of David Garrick's 1747 afterpiece, this lighthearted comedy follows Miss Biddy Bellair as she pits her suitors against eachother in order to find true love.
Runtime: 70 min.
Directed by: Matthew Butler
Stars: Ian McKellen | Simon Callow | Carol Royle | Tori Hart | Adam Alexander
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
As: Gandalf
The Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains, and Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back from the Dragon, Smaug.
Runtime: 161 min.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Stars: Cate Blanchett | Ian McKellen | Benedict Cumberbatch | Martin Freeman | Richard Armitage
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (2013)
A star studded special written and directed by Peter Davison. With the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who about to film, the 'Classic' Doctors are keen to be involved. But do they manage it?
Runtime: 30 min.
Directed by: Peter Davison
Stars: Peter Davison | Paul McGann | Sylvester McCoy | Russell T. Davies | Colin Baker
Muse of Fire (2013)
As: Himself
Funny, passionate, exciting, and smart: ‘Muse Of Fire’ will change the way you feel about Shakespeare forever. This unique feature documentary follows two actors, Giles Terera and Dan Poole, as they travel the world to find out everything they can about tackling the greatest writer of them all. Together they have directed and produced an inspiring film that aims to demystify and illuminate ...
Runtime: 83 min.
Directed by: Giles Terera | Dan Poole
Stars: Ian McKellen | John Hurt | Ralph Fiennes | Judi Dench | Mark Rylance
The Wolverine (2013)
As: Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
Wolverine faces his ultimate nemesis - and tests of his physical, emotional, and mortal limits - in a life-changing voyage to modern-day Japan.
Runtime: 126 min.
Directed by: James Mangold
Stars: Famke Janssen | Will Yun Lee | Hiroyuki Sanada | Hugh Jackman | Tao Okamoto
Doctor Who: The Snowmen (2012)
As: The Great Intelligence (voice)
Christmas Eve, 1892, and the falling snow is the stuff of fairy tales. When the fairytale becomes a nightmare and a chilling menace threatens Earth, an unorthodox young governess, Clara, calls on the Doctor for help. But the Doctor is in mourning, reclusive and determined not to engage in the problems of the universe. As old friends return, will the Doctor really abandon humankind, or will he fight to save ...
Runtime: 60 min.
Stars: Matt Smith | Richard E. Grant | Jenna Coleman | Catrin Stewart | Dan Starkey
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
As: Gandalf
Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.
Runtime: 169 min.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Stars: Cate Blanchett | Ian McKellen | Andy Serkis | Martin Freeman | Richard Armitage
Looking for Lowry (2011)
As: Himself
“LOOKING FOR LOWRY” is an entertaining documentary film about the life and work of the much loved British artist L.S. LOWRY (1887 – 1976). This contemporary new film illuminates Lowry’s extraordinary vision for the first time in high definition, as we meet those who knew him and those who have been inspired in our post-industrial age by his unique observations of our country and his ...
Runtime: 50 min.
Directed by: Margy Kinmonth
Stars: Ian McKellen | Noel Gallagher
The Betty Driver Story (2011)
As: Himself (as Sir Ian McKellan)
Runtime: 60 min.
Stars: Betty Driver | Antony Cotton | Bill Kenwright | Julie Goodyear | Morris Aza
A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation (2010)
As: Narrator (voice)
When his father dies unexpectedly, a young man seeking to cope with his grief goes on a powerful emotional journey through time and space.
Runtime: 15 min.
Directed by: Martin Wallner | Stefan Leuchtenberg
Stars: Ian McKellen | Joseph Fiennes
King Lear (2008)
As: King Lear
King Lear, old and tired, divides his kingdom among his daughters, giving great importance to their protestations of love for him. When Cordelia, youngest and most honest, refuses to idly flatter the old man in return for favor, he banishes her and turns for support to his remaining daughters. But Goneril and Regan have no love for him and instead plot to take all his power from him. In a parallel, ...
Runtime: 150 min.
Directed by: Trevor Nunn
Stars: Ian McKellen | Monica Dolan | Romola Garai | Philip Winchester | Sylvester McCoy
The Golden Compass (2007)
As: Iorek Byrnison (voice)
After overhearing a shocking secret, precocious orphan Lyra Belacqua trades her carefree existence roaming the halls of Jordan College for an otherworldly adventure in the far North, unaware that it's part of her destiny.
Runtime: 113 min.
Directed by: Chris Weitz
Stars: Sam Elliott | Nicole Kidman | Eva Green | Daniel Craig | Dakota Blue Richards
Stardust (2007)
As: Narrator (voice)
In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. His journey takes him into a world beyond his wildest dreams and reveals his true identity.
Runtime: 127 min.
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Stars: Robert De Niro | Michelle Pfeiffer | Claire Danes | Sienna Miller | Charlie Cox
For the Love of God (2007)
As: The Jackdaw
'For the Love of God' is the wickedly irreverent tale of Graham (Coogan); an over-grown man-child still living at home under the suffocating glare of his elderly Mother, in her dusty and forgotten Christian bookshop. Graham has a terrible secret - an unholy fantasy - which only he and his Mother's pet Jackdaw (McKellen) know about. Spurred on by the sinister bird and the possibility of consummating his ...
Runtime: 11 min.
Directed by: Joe Tucker
Stars: Ian McKellen | Steve Coogan | Julia Davis
Flushed Away (2006)
As: The Toad (voice)
London high-society mouse, Roddy is flushed down the toilet by Sid, a common sewer rat. Hang on for a madcap adventure deep in the sewer bowels of Ratropolis, where Roddy meets the resourceful Rita, the rodent-hating Toad and his faithful thugs, Spike and Whitey.
Runtime: 85 min.
Directed by: David Bowers | Sam Fell
Stars: Ian McKellen | Jean Reno | Kate Winslet | Bill Nighy | Hugh Jackman
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
As: Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
When a cure is found to treat mutations, lines are drawn amongst the X-Men and The Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organized under Xavier's former ally, Magneto.
Runtime: 104 min.
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Stars: Ian McKellen | Famke Janssen | Patrick Stewart | Halle Berry | Hugh Jackman
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
As: Sir Leigh Teabing
When the curator of the Louvre is found murdered in the famed museum's hallowed halls, Harvard professor, Robert Langdon and cryptographer, Sophie Neve must untangle a deadly web of deceit involving the works of Leonardo da Vinci.
Runtime: 149 min.
Directed by: Ron Howard
Stars: Ian McKellen | Tom Hanks | Jean Reno | Paul Bettany | Audrey Tautou
Saint of 9/11 (2006)
As: Narrator
Runtime: 90 min.
Directed by: Glenn Holsten
Stars: Ian McKellen | Larry Boes | Everald Brathwaite | Thomas Paul Carey | Brian Carroll
Doogal (2006)
As: Zebedee
This is the story of Doogal, an adorable candy-loving mutt who goes on a mission to save the world.
Runtime: 85 min.
Directed by: Dave Borthwick | Jean Duval | Frank Passingham
Stars: William H. Macy | Whoopi Goldberg | Jimmy Fallon | Jon Stewart | Daniel Tay
Asylum (2005)
As: Dr. Peter Cleave
A woman becomes very curious about one of her psychiatrist husband's inmates, a man who was found guilty in the murder and disfigurement of his former wife.
Runtime: 99 min.
Directed by: David Mackenzie
Stars: Marton Csokas | Ian McKellen | Hugh Bonneville | Joss Ackland | Natasha Richardson
Neverwas (2005)
As: Gabriel Finch
Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart) is a psychiatrist, who leaves a job at a prestigious university, to take up a job at the privately run mental institution, 'Millwood'. What he doesnt reveal at the time of his appointment is that this was the very place where his novelist father, T.L. Pierson (Nick Nolte), spent many years of his life.
Runtime: 103 min.
Directed by: Joshua Michael Stern
Stars: Aaron Eckhart | Ian McKellen | Nick Nolte | Brittany Murphy | Jessica Lange
The Hobart Shakespeareans (2005)
As: Himself
Rafe Esquith, 1992 American Teacher of the Year and National Medal of Arts recipient, teaches 5th-grade children whose parents don't speak English at a school in a dangerous, poor, drug-infested 100% Latino/Asian neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Directed by: Mel Stuart
Stars: Ian McKellen | Michael York
The Magic Roundabout (2005)
As: Zebedee
A shaggy, candy-loving puppy named Dougal along with a group of friends embarks on a dangerous journey in an effort to imprison their oppressor -- the evil ice sorcerer ZeeBad (Zebedee's evil twin). As the world is placed in mortal danger Zeebad who wants to turn the world to ice. Doogal and his friends must recover 3 diamonds that are needed to stop him.
Runtime: 85 min.
Directed by: Dave Borthwick | Jean Duval | Frank Passingham
Stars: Ian McKellen | Bill Nighy | Kylie Minogue | Tom Baker | Robbie Williams
Frodo Is Great... Who Is That?!! (2004)
As: Himself
The documentary looks at the rise to celebrity status of NZ actor and musician Bret McKenzie, who appeared for 3 seconds as an extra in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", during the Council of Elrond scene. His brief appearance sparked a huge internet fan-base dedicated to his "brooding pout" and "elvish good looks". McKenzie has been dubbed "FIGWIT", an acronym of "Frodo is Great; Who is ...
Runtime: 60 min.
Directed by: Hannah Clarke | Nick Booth | Stan Alley
Stars: Peter Jackson | Bret McKenzie | Elijah Wood | Jemaine Clement | Taika Waititi
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
As: Gandalf the White
Aragorn is revealed as the heir to the ancient kings as he, Gandalf and the other members of the broken fellowship struggle to save Gondor from Sauron's forces. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam bring the ring closer to the heart of Mordor, the dark lord's realm.
Runtime: 201 min.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Stars: Sean Astin | Ian McKellen | Viggo Mortensen | Liv Tyler | Elijah Wood
X2: X-Men United (2003)
As: Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
Professor Charles Xavier and his team of genetically gifted superheroes face a rising tide of anti-mutant sentiment led by Col. William Stryker. Storm, Wolverine and Jean Grey must join their usual nemeses – Magneto and Mystique – to unhinge Stryker's scheme to exterminate all mutants.
Runtime: 134 min.
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Stars: Ian McKellen | Famke Janssen | Patrick Stewart | Halle Berry | Hugh Jackman
Émile (2003)
As: Emile
In a story weaving the past and present together, Emile seeks redemption from the family he abandoned.
Runtime: 92 min.
Directed by: Carl Bessai
Stars: Ian McKellen | Tygh Runyan | Ian Tracey | Chris William Martin | Deborah Unger
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
As: Gandalf the White
Frodo and Sam are trekking to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power while Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn search for the orc-captured Merry and Pippin. All along, nefarious wizard Saruman awaits the Fellowship members at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard.
Runtime: 179 min.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Stars: Sean Astin | Ian McKellen | Viggo Mortensen | Liv Tyler | Elijah Wood
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
As: Gandalf the Grey
Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.
Runtime: 178 min.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Stars: Sean Astin | Ian McKellen | Viggo Mortensen | Liv Tyler | Elijah Wood
A Passage to Middle-earth: Making of 'Lord of the Rings' (2001)
As: Himself
Runtime: 42 min.
Stars: Peter Jackson | Cate Blanchett | Ian McKellen | Elijah Wood | Richard Taylor
X-Men (2000)
As: Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
Two mutants, Rogue and Wolverine, come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team, the X-Men, must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.
Runtime: 104 min.
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Stars: Ian McKellen | Famke Janssen | James Marsden | Patrick Stewart | Hugh Jackman
Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man (2000)
As: Narrator(Voice)
A child is born. We see underwater swimmers representing this. He is young, in a jungle setting, with two fanciful "instincts" guiding him as swooping bird-like acrobats initially menace, then delight. As an adolescent, he enters a desert, where a man spins a large cube of metal tubing. He leaves his instinct-guides behind, and enters a garden where two statues dance in a pond. As ...
Runtime: 39 min.
Directed by: Keith Melton
Stars: Ian McKellen | Nicky Dewhurst | Brian Dewhurst | Anait Karagyezyan | Chris Van Wagenen
Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed! (2000)
As: Himself
A documentary from Universal about the movie The Invisible Man (1933) directed by James Whale.
Runtime: 35 min.
Directed by: David J. Skal
Stars: Ian McKellen | Jessica Rains | Bill Condon | David J. Skal | Rudy Behlmer
Apt Pupil (1998)
As: Kurt Dussander
Neighborhood boy Todd Bowden discovers that an old man living on his block named Arthur Denker is nazi war criminal. Bowden confronts Denker and offers him a deal: Bowden will not go to the authorities if Denker tells him stories of the concentration camps in WWII...
Runtime: 111 min.
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Stars: Ian McKellen | David Schwimmer | Bruce Davison | Ann Dowd | Brad Renfro
Swept from the Sea (1998)
As: Dr. James Kennedy
The film tells the story of Russian emigree and the only survivor from ship crash Yanko Goorall and servant Amy Foster in the end of 19th century. When Yanko enters a farm sick and hungry after the shipwreck, everyone is afraid of him, except for Amy, who is very kind and helps him. Soon he becomes like a son for Dr. James Kennedy and romance between Yanko and Amy follows.
Runtime: 115 min.
Directed by: Beeban Kidron
Stars: Ian McKellen | Rachel Weisz | Kathy Bates | Joss Ackland | Vincent Pérez
Gods and Monsters (1998)
As: James Whale
It's 1957, and James Whale's heyday as the director of "Frankenstein," "Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Invisible Man" is long behind him. Retired and a semi-recluse, he lives his days accompanied only by images from his past. When his dour housekeeper, Hannah, hires a handsome young gardener, the flamboyant director and simple yard man develop an unlikely friendship, which will change them forever.
Runtime: 105 min.
Directed by: Bill Condon
Stars: Ian McKellen | Lynn Redgrave | Lolita Davidovich | Brendan Fraser | David Dukes
Bent (1997)
As: Uncle Freddie
Max is a handsome young man who, after a fateful tryst with a German soldier, is forced to run for his life. Eventually Max is placed in a concentration camp where he pretends to be Jewish because in the eyes of the Nazis, gays are the lowest form of human being. But it takes a relationship with an openly gay prisoner to teach Max that without the love of another, life is not worth living.
Runtime: 105 min.
Directed by: Sean Mathias
Stars: Ian McKellen | Jude Law | Lothaire Bluteau | Clive Owen | Mick Jagger
A Bit Of Scarlet (1997)
As: Narrator
A Bit of Scarlet excavates clips from Britain's cinema archives to create a moving and humorous testament to the closeted gay and lesbian images from filmmaking's earliest days.
Runtime: 70 min.
Directed by: Andrea Weiss
Stars: Ian McKellen
Rasputin (1996)
As: Tsar Nicholas II
Into an era seething with war and revolution, a man comes with an incredible power to heal a nation...or destroy it. Based on the true story of one of the most powerful and mysterious figures in Russian history.
Runtime: 135 min.
Directed by: Uli Edel
Stars: Ian McKellen | Greta Scacchi | David Warner | Alan Rickman | John Wood
Restoration (1995)
As: Will Gates
An aspiring young physician, Robert Merivel found himself in the service of King Charles II and saves the life of someone close to the King. Merivel joins the King's court and lives the high life provided to someone of his position. Merivel is ordered to marry his King's mistress in order to divert the queens suspicions. He is given one order by the king and that is not to fall in love. The situation ...
Runtime: 117 min.
Directed by: Michael Hoffman
Stars: David Thewlis | Hugh Grant | Sam Neill | Robert Downey Jr. | Meg Ryan
Richard III (1995)
As: Richard III
Shakespeare's Play transplanted into a 1930s setting.
Runtime: 110 min.
Directed by: Richard Loncraine
Stars: Ian McKellen | Kristin Scott Thomas | Annette Bening | Jim Broadbent | Adrian Dunbar
Jack & Sarah (1995)
As: William
Jack always lands on his feet. He lands on his feet when he marries the beautiful Sarah. He lands on his feet when he buys a luxurious new home. However, when Sarah goes into labour, he takes a tumble down the stairs and lands on his head. When he comes around he discovers he is the proud father of a baby girl, but deficient in the spouse department to the tune of 1.
Runtime: 110 min.
Directed by: Tim Sullivan
Stars: Samantha Mathis | Eileen Atkins | Richard E. Grant | Cherie Lunghi | Judi Dench
Cold Comfort Farm (1995)
As: Amos Starkadder
In this adaptation of the satirical British novel, Flora Poste, a plucky London society girl orphaned at age 19, finds a new home with some rough relatives, the Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm. With a take-charge attitude and some encouragement from her mischievous friend, Mary, Flora changes the Starkadders' lives forever when she settles into their rustic estate, bringing the backward clan up to ...
Runtime: 105 min.
Directed by: John Schlesinger
Stars: Eileen Atkins | Stephen Fry | Kate Beckinsale | Freddie Jones | Sheila Burrell
To Die For (1994)
As: Quilt Documentary Narrator (voice)
Simon and Mark live together in London. When Mark dies of AIDS, Simon gets on with his life rather quickly, too quickly to suit the ghost of Mark, who reappears to disrupt Simon's cruising and then moves back into their flat to prompt Simon to experience and express feelings. Simon is adamant that feelings, especially love, are not for him. Subplots develop as Mark and Simon observe their ...
Runtime: 101 min.
Directed by: Peter Mackenzie Litten
Stars: Gordon Alexander | Nicholas Harrison | Dillie Keane | Ian Williams | Thomas Arklie
The Shadow (1994)
As: Dr. Reinhardt Lane
Based on the 1930's comic strip, puts the hero up against his arch enemy, Shiwan Khan, who plans to take over the world by holding a city to ransom using an atom bomb. Using his powers of invisibility and "The power to cloud men's minds", the Shadow comes blazing to the city's rescue with explosive results.
Runtime: 108 min.
Directed by: Russell Mulcahy
Stars: Ian McKellen | Peter Boyle | Alec Baldwin | John Lone | Penelope Ann Miller
David Macaulay: Roman City (1994)
As: Augustus Caesar (voice)
The glories of Ancient Rome are explored in ROMAN CITY, based on David Macaulay's acclaimed book. This animated and live-action video recounts life in Verbonia, a fictional city in Gaul. A well-planned town with all modern conveniences, it is threatened by conflict between conquerors and conquered. Macaulay also visits Pompeii, Herculaneum, Ostia, Nimes, Orange, and Rome, to view actual Roman architecture ...
Runtime: 56 min.
Directed by: Larry Klein
Stars: Ian McKellen | Derek Jacobi | John Sessions | Brian Blessed | David Macaulay
I'll Do Anything (1994)
As: John Earl McAlpine
Matt Hobbs is a talented but unsuccessful actor. When estranged (and strange) ex-wife Beth dumps their daughter Jeannie on Matt, father and daughter have a lot of adjusting to do. His budding relationship with attractive production assistant Cathy Breslow is made complicated, while the precocious child is overly accustomed to getting her own way. Matt eventually faces the choice of family vs career ...
Runtime: 115 min.
Directed by: James L. Brooks
Stars: Nick Nolte | Anne Heche | Woody Harrelson | Albert Brooks | Julie Kavner
Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
As: Geoffrey Miller
The story of a young, gay black con artist who, posing as the son of Sidney Poitier, cunningly maneuvers his way into the lives of a white, upper-class New York family.
Runtime: 112 min.
Directed by: Fred Schepisi
Stars: Ian McKellen | Stockard Channing | Donald Sutherland | Will Smith | Mary Beth Hurt
And the Band Played On (1993)
As: Bill Kraus
The story of the discovery of the AIDS epidemic and the political infighting of the scientific community hampering the early fight with it.
Runtime: 141 min.
Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
Stars: Matthew Modine | Anjelica Huston | Patrick Bauchau | Richard Gere | Alan Alda
The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)
As: Percy Corcoran
Based on a true story, this is the tale of Josephine Monaghan, a young woman of the mid-19th century who is thrown out of her parents' home after being seduced by the family's portrait photographer and giving birth to an illegitimate child. Josephine quickly learns that young, female, pretty, and alone are a bad combination for life in the wild west. In her desperation to survive, Josephine disguises ...
Runtime: 121 min.
Directed by: Maggie Greenwald
Stars: Ian McKellen | Heather Graham | Suzy Amis | Bo Hopkins | David Chung
Last Action Hero (1993)
As: Death
Danny is obsessed with a fictional movie character action hero Jack Slater. When a magical ticket transports him into Jack's latest adventure, Danny finds himself in a world where movie magic and reality collide. Now it's up to Danny to save the life of his hero and new friend.
Runtime: 130 min.
Directed by: John McTiernan
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger | F. Murray Abraham | Charles Dance | Frank McRae | Art Carney
Othello (1990)
As: Iago
Noble Moroccan Othello finds his life with beautiful, fiercely loyal Desdemona thrown tragically out of balance when secretly jealous, scheming confidante Iago begins an insidious campaign of lies and treachery.
Runtime: 204 min.
Directed by: Trevor Nunn
Stars: Ian McKellen | Zoë Wanamaker | Clive Swift | Imogen Stubbs | Willard White
Scandal (1989)
As: John Profumo
An English bon-vivant osteopath is enchanted with a young exotic dancer and invites her to live with him. He serves as friend and mentor, and through his contacts and parties she and her friend meet and date members of the Conservative Party. Eventually a scandal occurs when her affair with the Minister of War goes public, threatening their lifestyles and their freedom.
Runtime: 115 min.
Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones
Stars: Ian McKellen | John Hurt | Joanne Whalley | Jeroen Krabbé | Bridget Fonda
Zina (1986)
As: Kronfeld
Zina, the daughter of Leon Trotsky by his first wife, is undergoing freudian analysis in Berlin in the 'thirties. Meanwhile Trotsky is in exile in Prinkipo having been driven from power by Stalin. The Nazis rise to power in Germany and Austria and Zina commits suicide.
Runtime: 92 min.
Directed by: Ken McMullen
Stars: Micha Bergese | George Antoni | Paul Geoffrey | Gaby Dellal | Ron Anderson
Plenty (1985)
As: Sir Andrew Charleson
David Hare's account of a one-time French freedom fighter who gradually realizes that her post-war life is not meeting her expectations.
Runtime: 121 min.
Directed by: Fred Schepisi
Stars: Ian McKellen | Sting | Tracey Ullman | Meryl Streep | John Gielgud
The Keep (1983)
As: Dr. Theodore Cuza
Nazis take over an ancient fortress that contains a mysterious entity that wreaks havoc and death upon them.
Runtime: 96 min.
Directed by: Michael Mann
Stars: Scott Glenn | Jürgen Prochnow | Gabriel Byrne | Robert Prosky | Alberta Watson
Walter and June (1983)
As: Walter
Sequel to the TV film "Walter". In the United States, the two films have been released together on DVD as a package, called "Loving Walter".
Runtime: 63 min.
Directed by: Stephen Frears
Stars: Ian McKellen | Jim Broadbent | Barbara Jefford | Sarah Miles | Tim Potter
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)
As: Chauvelin
During the French Revolution, a mysterious English nobleman known only as The Scarlet Pimpernel (a humble wayside flower), snatches French aristos from the jaws of the guillotine, while posing as the foppish Sir Percy Blakeney in society. Percy falls for and marries the beautiful actress Marguerite St. Just, but she is involved with Chauvelin and Robespierre, and Percy's marriage to her may ...
Runtime: 142 min.
Directed by: Clive Donner
Stars: Ian McKellen | Anthony Andrews | James Villiers | Eleanor David | Jane Seymour
Walter (1982)
As: Walter
A man with learning difficulties suffers neglect and ill-treatment, and this is only exasperated when his parents die and nobody seems to know what to do with him. A sequel to this film, titled "Walter and June", was released in 1983 and set 19 years later in time. In the United States, these two are sometimes bundled together under the title "Loving Walter".
Runtime: 70 min.
Directed by: Stephen Frears
Stars: Ian McKellen | David Ryall | Barbara Jefford | Tony Melody | Arthur Whybrow
Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare (1982)
A record of McKellen's one-man Broadway show about the Bard.
Runtime: 90 min.
Directed by: Kirk Browning
Stars: Ian McKellen
Priest of Love (1981)
As: D.H. Lawrence
Following the banning and burning of his novel, "The Rainbow," D.H. Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, move to the United States, and then to Mexico. When Lawrence contracts tuberculosis, they return to England for a short time, then to Italy, where Lawrence writes "Lady Chatterley's Lover."
Runtime: 125 min.
Directed by: Christopher Miles
Stars: Ian McKellen | Ava Gardner | Maurizio Merli | Penelope Keith | Janet Suzman
A Performance of Macbeth (1979)
As: Macbeth
Shakespeare's classic tragedy of ambition, witches and murder.
Runtime: 145 min.
Directed by: Philip Casson
Stars: Ian McKellen | John Woodvine | Judi Dench | Marie Kean | Ian McDiarmid
Edward II (1970)
As: King Edward
The reign of Edward II, King of England, is troubled from the start when he brings his male lover, hated by the nobles, out of exile.
Runtime: 125 min.
Directed by: Richard Marquand | Toby Robertson
Stars: Ian McKellen | James Laurenson | Timothy West | Robert Eddison | Diane Fletcher
The Promise (1969)
Set in Leningrad. Follows the lives of three young Russians from the terror of the German siege of Leningrad through the uncertainty of the postwar years to the space age.
Runtime: 98 min.
Directed by: Michael Hayes
Stars: Ian McKellen | John Castle | Mary Jones | Susan Macready
Alfred the Great (1969)
As: Roger
While Old England is being ransacked by roving Danes in the 9th century, Alfred is planning to join the priesthood. But observing the rape of his land, he puts away his religious vows to take up arms against the invaders, leading the English Christians to fight for their country. Alfred soundly defeats the Danes and becomes a hero. But now, although Alfred still longs for the priesthood, he is torn between ...
Runtime: 122 min.
Directed by: Clive Donner
Stars: Ian McKellen | David Hemmings | Michael York | Colin Blakely | Prunella Ransome
Thank You All Very Much (1969)
As: George Matthews
Rosamund Stacey (Sandy Dennis), a young 'bookish' girl in London society, spends her days studying for a doctorate in the British Museum and her nights avoiding the sexual attention of the men in her life. But one day, all that changes. Through a friend, she is introduced to rising TV newsreader/announcer George Matthews (Ian McKellen) and after a further chance meeting and a tumble ...
Runtime: 107 min.
Directed by: Waris Hussein
Stars: Ian McKellen | Eleanor Bron | Michael Coles | John Standing | Sandy Dennis
Hamlet Revenant ()
A modern-day version of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', which explores a young man's psyche as he contemplates avenging his father's death.
Runtime: 110 min.
Directed by: Ken McMullen
Stars: Ian McKellen | Connie Nielsen | Gabriel Byrne | Mikkel Boe Følsgaard | Maria Boda