---
name: "Allan Corduner"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/allan-corduner"
fi1m_id: "allan-corduner"
imdb_id: "nm0179680"
tmdb_id: 78018
wikidata_id: "Q2647961"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "2 April 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-07T13:14:14.353626+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Allan Corduner

## Identity

Allan Corduner

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/allan-corduner
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** allan-corduner
- **IMDb ID:** nm0179680
- **TMDB ID:** 78018
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2647961
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Corduner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2647961, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0179680/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78018

Actor. Born 2 April 1950 in Stockholm, Sweden.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 2 April 1950, Stockholm, Sweden
- **Active:** 1983–present
- **Also known as:** 알랜 코드너
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 65 (1), 1990s 81 (2), 2000s 83 (2), 2010s 74 (2), 2020s 84 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 74 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 4, Music 3, Action & Adventure 1, History 1, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $129m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Corduner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2647961, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0179680/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78018

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Topsy-Turvy*](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md) (88)
- **Netflix:** [*TÁR*](https://film.one/film/tar.md) (84)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Way We Live Now*](https://film.one/tv/the-way-we-live-now.md) (82)
- **Tubi:** [*Drop the Dead Donkey*](https://film.one/tv/drop-the-dead-donkey.md) (74)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Yentl*](https://film.one/film/yentl.md) (65)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Allan Corduner

> Allan Corduner is an ensemble actor worth giving a leading part. His Sullivan in *Topsy-Turvy* stands as an equal to Jim Broadbent’s Gilbert, making a gifted man interesting without asking us to find him easy company.

In *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), Allan Corduner’s Sir Arthur Sullivan does not leave Jim Broadbent’s W. S. Gilbert to set the terms. Their exchanges feel like a negotiation between people who each have something the other needs. Broadbent gives Gilbert an exacting seriousness about the work, and Corduner gives Sullivan enough presence to prevent him becoming merely the man who answers. This is assured ensemble acting, with neither performer obliged to stand aside for the other. Mike Leigh lets both men be difficult without asking us to forgive everything on account of their gifts.

Sullivan was Corduner’s first leading film role, after work in repertory and West End theatre. He has since combined supporting film parts with stage work, television and audiobook narration. *The Grey Zone* (2001), *Defiance* (2008) and *TÁR* (2022) belong to that later film career, with *Topsy-Turvy* still the substantial leading part on which our enthusiasm rests. His frequent casting as authority figures and professionals makes sense, but Sullivan suggests how much more interesting that authority becomes when somebody is prepared to question it.

Corduner is an accomplished pianist, and in *Topsy-Turvy* he plays the piano in character. That matters in a film concerned with the practical business of making music and theatre. Sullivan has work of his own to do; Corduner does not play him simply as relief from Gilbert’s perfectionism. Leigh’s detailed preparation suits an actor who can sustain that independence within a partnership. We were unexpectedly moved by the two men together, because Corduner and Broadbent make collaboration look demanding without making it seem pointless.

The qualification is that the film’s historical detail occasionally slows the drama. Corduner and Broadbent keep the people worth watching, but their performances cannot make every detour necessary. We would not use one substantial leading role to make sweeping claims for everything Corduner has done; it is enough to make us want another part that gives him comparable space. Start with *Topsy-Turvy*, especially if you enjoy watching capable people disagree about how a job should be done.

## Biography

Allan Corduner is a British actor born on 2 April 1950 in Stockholm, Sweden. He grew up in a secular Jewish home in London. He earned a BA (Hons) in English and Drama at Bristol University and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Corduner has worked extensively in theatre, television and film in the UK and the United States. He is known for his portrayal of Sir Arthur Sullivan in Mike Leigh's *Topsy-Turvy* (1999). Other film roles include appearances in *Yentl* (1983), *Mr. Nobody* (2009), *Florence Foster Jenkins* (2016), *Woman in Gold* (2015), *Disobedience* (2018) and *TÁR* (2022). He has also appeared in television series such as *Homeland* and *The Blacklist*. He is married to Juha Sorola.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *TÁR* (2022), Fi1m 84, as Sebastian Brix — [page](https://film.one/film/tar.md)
- *Florence Foster Jenkins* (2016), Fi1m 64, as John Totten — [page](https://film.one/film/florence-foster-jenkins.md)
- *Utopia* (2013), Fi1m 83, as Ross — [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *Vera Drake* (2004), Fi1m 84, as Psychiatrist — [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)
- *The Way We Live Now* (2001), Fi1m 82, as Croll — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-way-we-live-now.md)
- *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Sir Arthur Sullivan — [page](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md)
- *Drop the Dead Donkey* (1990), Fi1m 74, as Critic — [page](https://film.one/tv/drop-the-dead-donkey.md)
- *Yentl* (1983), Fi1m 65, as Shimmele — [page](https://film.one/film/yentl.md)

## Complete filmography (111)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Christmas Karma* (2025), as Mr Fezzywig
- *Alfie & Ed* (2025), Actor
- *Bookish* (2025), series, as Maxie Kleinmann
- *National Theatre Live: The Motive and the Cue* (2024), as Hume Cronyn
- *Family* (2024), Actor
- *A Ghost Story for Christmas: Count Magnus* (2022), as The Deacon
- *TÁR* (2022), as Sebastian Brix — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/tar.md)
- *The Offering* (2022), as Saul
- *Mosquito* (2022), as Ozwald Godfrey
- *Ridley Road* (2021), series, as Rabbi Lehrer
- *The Man Who Saw Too Much* (2019), as Boris Pahor (voice)
- *FBI* (2018), series, as Victor Beniov
- *Disobedience* (2018), as Moshe Hartog
- *Miss Dalí* (2018), as Captain Moore
- *Fearless* (2017), series, as Monty Berman
- *The Book of Gabrielle* (2017), as Saul
- *Florence Foster Jenkins* (2016), as John Totten — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/florence-foster-jenkins.md)
- *Woman in Gold* (2015), as Gustav Bloch-Bauer
- *Closer to the Moon* (2014), as Flaviu
- *The Musketeers* (2014), series, as Van Laar
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Aaron — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Dancing on the Edge* (2013), series, as Mr. Wax
- *Utopia* (2013), series, as Ross — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *Spies of Warsaw* (2013), series, as Viktor Rosen
- *The Sweeney* (2012), as Doctor
- *A Thousand Kisses Deep* (2012), as Buddy
- *An Enemy to Die For* (2012), as Martin Winter
- *We'll Take Manhattan* (2012), as Alex Liberman
- *Call the Midwife* (2012), series, as Arnold Gelin — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/call-the-midwife.md)
- *Homeland* (2011), series, as Etai Luskin — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Exile* (2011), series, as Geller
- *Zen* (2011), series, as Michelangelo Gattuso
- *Lennon Naked* (2010), as Art Janov
- *Burke & Hare* (2010), as Nicephore
- *Grandma's House* (2010), series, as Richard
- *A Passionate Woman* (2010), series, as Mr. Solomon
- *Mr. Nobody* (2009), as Dr. Feldheim
- *Defiance* (2008), as Shimon Haretz
- *No Heroics* (2008), series, Actor
- *Fred Claus* (2007), as Dr. Goldfarb
- *The Last Days of the Raj* (2007), as Lord Ismay
- *Simon Schama's Power of Art* (2006), series, Actor
- *Against Nature* (2006), as Des Esseintes
- *The White Countess* (2005), as Samuel Feinstein
- *The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes & Arthur Conan Doyle* (2005), as Greenhough Smith
- *Friends & Crocodiles* (2005), as Marcus
- *Bigger Than the Sky* (2005), as Kippy Newberg
- *The Merchant of Venice* (2004), as Tubal
- *Vera Drake* (2004), as Psychiatrist — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)
- *De-Lovely* (2004), as Monty Woolley
- *The Lady Musketeer* (2004), series, as Aramis
- *Christine* (2004), as Maurice Leyman
- *The Last Detective* (2003), series, Actor
- *Trust* (2003), series, as Michael Cohen
- *Daniel Deronda* (2002), series, as Herr Julius Klesmer
- *Foyle's War* (2002), series, as Carlo Lucciano — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/foyles-war.md)
- *The King's Beard* (2002), as Ronnie (voice)
- *Moonlight Mile* (2002), as Stan Michaels
- *Food of Love* (2002), as Joseph Mansourian
- *The Way We Live Now* (2001), series, as Croll — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-way-we-live-now.md)
- *Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)* (2001), as Big Bob
- *Me Without You* (2001), as Max
- *The Search for John Gissing* (2001), as Francois Fuller
- *The Grey Zone* (2001), as Nyiszli
- *Zoe* (2001), as Rupert
- *Fat Friends* (2000), series, as Leonard Harris
- *Joe Gould's Secret* (2000), as Francis McCrudden
- *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), as Sir Arthur Sullivan — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md)
- *The Impostors* (1998), as Captain
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Michael Hipsman — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Nostromo* (1997), series, as Hirsch
- *Alive and Kicking* (1996), as Therapist
- *Norma Jean & Marilyn* (1996), as Billy Wilder
- *Gadgetman* (1996), as Professor McNeil
- *Voices* (1995), as Oscar Butterworth
- *An Independent Man* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Last Machine* (1995), series, Actor
- *Paris* (1994), series, as Minotti
- *A Business Affair* (1994), as Dinner Guest
- *Heart of Darkness* (1994), as Verme
- *Nobody's Children* (1994), as Ion
- *Carry On Columbus* (1992), as Sam
- *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Osofsky
- *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Gerard Lowe, Tristram Johnstone
- *Edward II* (1991), as Poet
- *Teenage Health Freak* (1991), series, as Dr Lime
- *Drop the Dead Donkey* (1990), series, as Critic — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/drop-the-dead-donkey.md)
- *Antonia and Jane* (1990), as Stephen Carlinsky
- *Fat Man and Little Boy* (1989), as Franz Goethe
- *Talk Radio* (1988), as Vince / Morris
- *Mandela* (1987), as Benny
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Gentile Bellocchio — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *Valhalla* (1986), as Loke (voice)
- *Bad Medicine* (1985), as Dr. Diaz the Bus Driver
- *Girls On Top* (1985), series, as Benny
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *Freud* (1984), series, as Oscar Rie
- *Cold Warrior* (1984), series, as Joachim Maasen
- *Yentl* (1983), as Shimmele — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/yentl.md)
- *The Return of the Soldier* (1983), as Pianist at Party
- *Roots* (1981), series, as Melvin Solomons
- *Buccaneer* (1980), series, as Monty Bateman
- *Follow the Star* (1979), Actor
- *Minder* (1979), series, as Marty — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/minder.md)
- *Phoelix* (1979), Actor
- *Tales of the Unexpected* (1979), series, as Hatchard's Bookshop Assistant · Store Assistant
- *Poldark* (1975), series, as Manservant
- *A Ghost Story for Christmas* (1971), series, as The Deacon
- *The Funeral*, as Rabbi Stephen
- *The Entertainment System Is Down*, Actor
- *The Wedding Dress*, as Rabbi Munck

## Gallery

- ![Allan Corduner](https://film.one/media/person/89092/gallery-c026b9073ea7.jpg) Allan Corduner — Howmuchdoiloveu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Allan_Corduner_2012_by_Aliona_Adrianaova_%2822%29_-_Copy.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Allan Corduner](https://film.one/media/person/89092/gallery-73e2d7df4fab.jpg) Allan Corduner — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Woman_In_Gold_New_York_premiere_with_Corduner_and_Sorola.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/allan-corduner