
Ken Hutchison
One of the most brilliant character actors of his generation, Hollywood's loss was British television's gain with Ken Hutchison. Born in Scotland, his handsome features and cheeky expression guaranteed him a career in character roles, but his dangerous streak led him early in his career into dark, villainous roles. He was cast by Sam Peckinpah as one of the sinister villagers of Straw Dogs (1971), raping Susan George and participating in the film's closing violent siege. Peckinpah took to the actor, and the pair indulged in their love of drinking throughout the shoot, often to the frustration of those around them. Hutchison was soon offered a role in the Robert Mitchum film The Wrath of God (1972) but this was his one and only shot at the big time. Quite what went wrong is open to debate. Some say he was wary of success and got cold feet. Whether that is true or not, what certainly didn't help was his unruly behaviour which made studio execs nervous of casting him again. He returned to Britain and continued his career as an anonymous but astounding character actor. He appeared in two of John Mackenzie's Play For Today films based on Peter McDougall scripts. In Play for Today: Just Another Saturday (1975) he played the head thug of the Orange Lodge, and in Play for Today: Just a Boys' Game (1979) he played Dancer Dunnichy, an irresponsible rogue who lived for drinking and dodging responsibility, a character that seemed to echo his offscreen persona. Hutchison was a stalwart of British TV crime series at this time, appearing in series such as Shoestring (1979), Target (1977) and Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) as well as The Sweeney (1974). In fact he also played the lead villain in the movie Sweeney 2 (1978), but the script allowed him precious little opportunity to shown off his skills as an actor. In 1978 the BBC cast him as Heathcliff in a serialisation of Wuthering Heights (1978) and he brilliantly captured the rough magic of the character. In the 80s he was seen less, although he had a regular role as the boss in children's series Murphy's Mob (1982). Since then he has appeared inevitably in shows like The Bill (1984). His great strength is an incredible ability with accents, and super comic timing, but he is also excellent at conveying menace. A riveting screen presence, Hutchison is long overdue for recognition as a treasure for British drama, a talent which his own country has rarely recognised.
Known For | Acting |
---|---|
Most Rating | 0.047 |
Birthday | 1943-11-24 |
Place of Birth | Leslie, Fife, Scotland, UK |
Also Known As | Ken Hutchinson, Aitken Hutchison, |

1971

Straw Dogs
7.2/961
David Sumner, a mild-mannered academic from the United States, marries Amy, an Englishwoman. In order to escape a hectic stateside lifestyle, David an...
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Straw Dogs

1985

Ladyhawke
7/1157
Captain Etienne Navarre is a man on whose shoulders lies a cruel curse. Punished for loving each other, Navarre must become a wolf by night whilst his...
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Ladyhawke

1972

The Wrath of God
5.3/27
Set in the 1920s, several foreigners held by a South American military group are offered possible freedom if they accept to topple a local crazed mili...
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The Wrath of God

1975

Deadly Strangers
5.8/12
After she misses her train, a young woman is forced to hitch a ride back to town. After managing to get away from a lecherous trucker, she is given a...
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Deadly Strangers

1975

Just Another Saturday
8/4
It's the day of the Orange Parade in Glasgow, but for Jon, the thrill of leading the parade and swinging the mace soon turns to horror as he learns th...
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Just Another Saturday

1991

Blonde Fist
4.6/7
A woman attempts to escape her domestic problems by fleeing to New York in search of her father. She finds him, and also new problems, some friendship...
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Blonde Fist

1970

The Long Distance Piano Player
0/0
The first Play for Today is the story of one man's obsession (to win the world long distance piano playing record) and the battle for good (his wife)...
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The Long Distance Piano Player

1978

Red Shift
7.4/4
Three men at three different times in history come to Mow Top hill in search of sanctuary from their troubles. A Roman soldier, a medieval rebel and a...
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Red Shift

1979

Just a Boys' Game
8/1
Jake lives in the shadow of his dying grandfather, who was once the town's toughest hard man. Despite their hatred of each other, Jake's sole aim is t...
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Just a Boys' Game

1982

Gandhi
7.6/2323
In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian...
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Gandhi

1978

One of the Boys
0/0
An evening's drinking by rugby players after a match gets out of hand.
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One of the Boys

1978

Sweeney 2
6.6/9
The plot is set on a group of bank robbers, who are both violent and successful, strangely getting away each time with an amount around the £60,000 ma...
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Sweeney 2

1993

As an Eilean
0/0
The inhabitants of a remote Scottish village live and learn.
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As an Eilean

1979

All Quiet on the Western Front
6.671/196
At the start of World War I, Paul Baumer is a young German patriot, eager to fight. Indoctrinated with propaganda at school, he and his friends eagerl...
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All Quiet on the Western Front

1994

Milner
6/1
Stephen Milner is a solicitor, but he fits uneasily into the world of Lewis Strange and Partners, who are an upmarket firm of solicitors. The film fol...
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Milner

2003

Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut
7/1
Documentary about the making of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 film "Straw Dogs."
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Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

1982

The World Cup: A Captain's Tale
7/1
The true story of the First world football competition, won by a team comprised of miners from Durham.
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The World Cup: A Captain's Tale

1980

A Gift from Nessus
0/0
Salesman Edie Cameron experiences setbacks in his work and personal life.
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