Ken Hutchison

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.

  • Title: Ken Hutchison
  • Popularity: 3.75
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1943-11-24
  • Place of Birth: Leslie, Fife, Scotland, UK
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As: Ken Hutchinson, Aitken Hutchison
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Ken Hutchison Movies

  • 1971
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    Straw Dogs

    Straw Dogs

    7.1 1971 HD

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

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  • 1985
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    Ladyhawke

    Ladyhawke

    7 1985 HD

    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...

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  • 1972
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    The Wrath of God

    The Wrath of God

    5.3 1972 HD

    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...

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  • 1975
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    Deadly Strangers

    Deadly Strangers

    5.7 1975 HD

    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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  • 1975
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    Just Another Saturday

    Just Another Saturday

    8 1975 HD

    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...

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  • 1991
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    Blonde Fist

    Blonde Fist

    4.6 1991 HD

    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...

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  • 1970
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    The Long Distance Piano Player

    The Long Distance Piano Player

    1 1970 HD

    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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  • 1978
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    Red Shift

    Red Shift

    7.4 1978 HD

    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...

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  • 1979
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    Just a Boys' Game

    Just a Boys' Game

    8 1979 HD

    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...

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  • 1982
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    Gandhi

    Gandhi

    7.563 1982 HD

    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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  • 1978
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    One of the Boys

    One of the Boys

    1 1978 HD

    An evening's drinking by rugby players after a match gets out of hand.

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  • 1978
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    Sweeney 2

    Sweeney 2

    6.556 1978 HD

    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...

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  • 1993
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    As an Eilean

    As an Eilean

    1 1993 HD

    The inhabitants of a remote Scottish village live and learn.

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  • 1979
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    All Quiet on the Western Front

    All Quiet on the Western Front

    6.6 1979 HD

    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...

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  • 1994
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    Milner

    Milner

    6 1994 HD

    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...

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  • 2003
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    Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

    Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

    7 2003 HD

    Documentary about the making of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 film "Straw Dogs."

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  • 1982
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    The World Cup: A Captain's Tale

    The World Cup: A Captain's Tale

    7 1982 HD

    The true story of the First world football competition, won by a team comprised of miners from Durham.

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  • 1980
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    A Gift from Nessus

    A Gift from Nessus

    1 1980 HD

    Salesman Edie Cameron experiences setbacks in his work and personal life.

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  • 1975
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    The Sweeney

    The Sweeney

    7.7 1975 HD

    Jack Regan, an unethical officer of the Flying Squad, uses unorthodox methods to pursue criminals with the help of his partner, George Carter.

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  • 1979
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    Minder

    Minder

    6.7 1979 HD

    This comedy drama series featured Terry McCann, a former boxer with a conviction for G.B.H., and Arthur Daley, a second-hand car dealer with an eye...

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  • 1986
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    Casualty

    Casualty

    6 1986 HD

    Drama series about the staff and patients at Holby City Hospital's emergency department, charting the ups and downs in their personal and...

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  • 1978
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    Wuthering Heights

    Wuthering Heights

    5 1978 HD

    A five-part adapation of the infamous book, which stars Ken Hutchison and Kay Adshead as tortured lovers Heathcliff and Cathy.

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  • 1970
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    Play for Today

    Play for Today

    6.125 1970 HD

    Play for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 from 1970 to 1984. During the run, more...

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  • 1981
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    Masada

    Masada

    7.2 1981 HD

    A Roman general leads the epic 1st-century siege of Masada, the mountain fortress where more than 900 Jews made a heroic stand against 5,000 Roman...

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  • 1975
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    Space: 1999

    Space: 1999

    7.101 1975 HD

    The crew of Moonbase Alpha must struggle to survive when a massive explosion throws the Moon from orbit into deep space.

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  • 1972
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    The Protectors

    The Protectors

    5.6 1972 HD

    The Protectors is a British television series, an action thriller created by Gerry Anderson. It was Anderson's second TV series using live actors as...

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  • 1995
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    Hamish Macbeth

    Hamish Macbeth

    7.8 1995 HD

    Hamish Macbeth is a comedy-drama series made by BBC Scotland and first aired in 1995. It is loosely based on a series of mystery novels by M. C....

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