--- name: "Bernard Hill" canonical: "https://film.one/person/bernard-hill" fi1m_id: "bernard-hill" imdb_id: "nm0384060" tmdb_id: 1369 wikidata_id: "Q310515" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 December 1944" died: "5 May 2024" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 81 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-07T14:34:32.955258+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." --- # Bernard Hill ## Identity Bernard Hill - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bernard-hill - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** bernard-hill - **IMDb ID:** nm0384060 - **TMDB ID:** 1369 - **Wikidata ID:** Q310515 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Hill, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310515, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0384060/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1369 Actor. Born 17 December 1944 in Blackley, Manchester, England, UK. Died 5 May 2024. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 December 1944, Blackley, Manchester, England, UK - **Died:** 5 May 2024 - **Active:** 1976–2022 - **Also known as:** برنارد هیل - **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 90 (1), 1990s 84 (1), 2000s 83 (3), 2010s 75 (3), 2020s 84 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 85 to 82 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 6, Adventure 3, Crime 3, Action 2, Fantasy 2, Animation 1 - **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $4,417m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Hill, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310515, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0384060/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1369 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king.md) (88), [*The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers*](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers.md) (85), [*ParaNorman*](https://film.one/film/paranorman.md) (76) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Wolf Hall*](https://film.one/tv/wolf-hall.md) (86), [*Unforgotten*](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md) (64) - **Paramount+:** [*Titanic*](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) (84) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Bernard Hill > Bernard Hill made captains and kings worth listening to by allowing uncertainty into their authority. We value the decency and vulnerability beneath his sternness, even when a large production gave him too little to do. When Bernard Hill gives an order, he sounds as though further discussion would be unwelcome. As Captain Smith in James Cameron’s *Titanic* (1997), he allows a little pomposity into the sternness, making the man fallible without making him ridiculous. We warmed to him because Hill makes the captain’s decency just as apparent. He supplies a recognisable person without asking Cameron to make him the centre of the film. It is a small but important contribution to a spectacle that works because the people matter. The breakthrough had been much less comfortable. In Alan Bleasdale’s *Boys from the Blackstuff* (1982), Yosser Hughes gave Hill a part built around desperation, with an intensity that did not conceal the man’s vulnerability. The later captains and kings could seem a long way from that rawness. What connects them is Hill’s willingness to let a forceful man look as though he might not cope. Peter Jackson makes particularly good use of that in *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* (2003), with Hill returning as Théoden after *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers* (2002). His speeches have the formality the fantasy requires, yet he can give them force without making the king’s resolve seem effortless. He leaves room for doubt. Jackson’s finale sometimes takes longer than it needs to, but Hill helps make its demands on an evening reasonable. We can believe that people would follow this king without needing to believe that he is always right. The limitation was often the size of the part. Some effects-driven productions, including *The Scorpion King* (2002), had less use for the vulnerability than for the ready-made authority. In those parts, the sternness can grow predictable. For Hill with enough to do, take the longer evening with Jackson. ## Biography Bernard Hill (17 December 1944 – 5 May 2024) was an English actor. He trained at the Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre and began his professional career on stage, including a two-year stint at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre. Hill first gained prominence for his performance as Yosser Hughes in the 1982 BBC series *Boys from the Blackstuff*. On film he played Captain Edward Smith in *Titanic* (1997) and King Théoden in *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers* (2002) and *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* (2003). He appeared in three films that won the Academy Award for Best Picture: *Gandhi* (1982), *Titanic* and *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, washingtonpost.com, bfi.org.uk.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *The Responder* (2022), Fi1m 84, as Tom Carson — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-responder.md) - *Unforgotten* (2015), Fi1m 64, as Father Robert Greaves — [page](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md) - *Wolf Hall* (2015), Fi1m 86, as Duke of Norfolk — [page](https://film.one/tv/wolf-hall.md) - *ParaNorman* (2012), Fi1m 76, as Judge Hopkins (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/paranorman.md) - *Five Days* (2007), Fi1m 76, as Gerard Hopkirk — [page](https://film.one/tv/five-days.md) - *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* (2003), Fi1m 88, as Théoden — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king.md) - *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers* (2002), Fi1m 85, as Théoden — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers.md) - *Titanic* (1997), Fi1m 84, as Captain Smith — [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) - *I, Claudius* (1976), Fi1m 90, as Gratus — [page](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md) ## Complete filmography (144) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim* (2024), In Memory Of — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim.md) - *The Moor* (2024), as Thornley - *Forever Young* (2024), as Oscar Smith - *The Responder* (2022), series, as Tom Carson — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-responder.md) - *Segunda oportunidad* (2018), as Peter - *Interlude: City of a Dead Woman* (2017), as Richard - *Inside CERN* (2016), as Narrator - *Golden Years* (2016), as Arthur - *Bloody Queens: Elizabeth and Mary* (2016), as Narrator - *North v South* (2015), as John Claridge - *Unforgotten* (2015), series, as Father Robert Greaves — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md) - *India's Frontier Railways* (2015), series, as Narrator - (Voice) - *Wolf Hall* (2015), series, as Duke of Norfolk — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/wolf-hall.md) - *Hope and Wire* (2014), series, as Len Russell - *From There to Here* (2014), series, as Samuel - *The Sorrows* (2013), Actor - *Outpost 11* (2012), as Cranleigh - *ParaNorman* (2012), as Judge Hopkins (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/paranorman.md) - *Titanic: Southampton Remembers* (2012), Actor - *Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron* (2012), as Captain EJ Smith - *Titanic: Case Closed* (2012), Actor - *The Kid* (2010), as Uncle David - *Canoe Man* (2010), as John Darwin - *Valkyrie* (2008), as General - Desert Sequence - *Franklyn* (2008), as Esser - *Sunshine* (2008), series, as George Crosby - *Fairy Tales* (2008), series, as Grettongrat - *Exodus* (2008), as Narrator (voice) - *Titus: The Gorilla King* (2008), as Narrator - *Bombay Railway* (2008), as Narrator - *Save Angel Hope* (2007), as Oscar Kurz - *Exodus* (2007), as Pharoah Mann - *The Crumblegiant* (2007), as Narrator - *The Heart of the Earth* (2007), as Sr. Crown - *Five Days* (2007), series, as Gerard Hopkirk — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/five-days.md) - *Joy Division* (2006), as Dennis - *No Go: The Free Derry Story* (2006), as Narrator (voice) - *Cruel Sea: The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster* (2006), as Narrator (voice) - *Ocean Odyssey* (2006), as Narrator (voice) - *Tim Haines Deep Ocean* (2006), as Erzähler - *Surviving Disaster* (2006), series, Actor - *The Last Tommy* (2005), as Narrator - *A Very Social Secretary* (2005), as David Blunkett - *The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse* (2005), as King William III - *Heatwave* (2005), as Narrator (voice) - *Horizon: Einstein's Unfinished Symphony* (2005), Actor - *Beatles Biggest Secrets* (2004), as Narrator - *Wimbledon* (2004), as Edward Colt - *The Grid* (2004), series, Actor - *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* (2003), as Théoden — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king.md) - *Gothika* (2003), as Phil Parsons - *One Life* (2003), series, Actor - *The Boys & Girl from County Clare* (2003), as John Joe - *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers* (2002), as Théoden — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers.md) - *The Scorpion King* (2002), as Philos - *Going Off Big Time* (2000), as Murray - *Eisenstein* (2000), as The voice of Stalin - *Scenes by the Sea: Takeshi Kitano* (2000), as Narrator (voice) - *A Question of Faith* (2000), as Frederick - *The Criminal* (1999), as Det. Insp. Walker - *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1999), as Egeus - *The Loss of Sexual Innocence* (1999), as Susan's Father - *Great Expectations* (1999), as Abel Magwitch - *Great Expectations* (1999), series, as Abel Magwitch - *True Crime* (1999), as Warden Luther Plunkitt - *The Titanic Chronicles* (1999), as (voice) - *Titanic: Secrets Revealed* (1998), as Host - *Titanic* (1997), as Captain Smith — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) - *The Mill on the Floss* (1997), as Edward Tulliver - *The Wind in the Willows* (1996), as The Engine Driver - *The Ghost and the Darkness* (1996), as Dr. David Hawthorne - *First Knight* (1995), as Knight (uncredited) - *The Gambling Man* (1995), series, as Frank nickle - *Madagascar Skin* (1995), as Flint - *Speaking In Tongues* (1994), as Joe - *Stages* (1994), series, as Joe - *Once Upon A Time In The North* (1994), series, as Len Tollit - *Dirtysomething* (1994), as Larry - *Skallagrigg* (1994), as John - *Olly's Prison* (1993), as Mike - *The Art of Tripping* (1993), Actor - *Lipstick on Your Collar* (1993), series, as Uncle Fred - *Shepherd on the Rock* (1993), as Tam Ferrier - *A Question of Identity* (1992), as Erwin van Haarlem - *Shakespeare: The Animated Tales* (1992), series, as Bottom (voice) - *Between the Lines* (1992), series, as Chief Constable Harmsworth - *Double X: The Name of the Game* (1992), as Ignatius 'Iggy' Smith - *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1992), as Bottom (voice) - *The Law Lord* (1992), as Martin Allport - *Shrinks* (1991), series, as Frank Beasley - *Shoot the Revolution* (1990), as Octavian Barbu - *From Moscow to Pietushki* (1990), as Readings (voice) - *Mountains of the Moon* (1990), as Dr. Livingstone - *Shirley Valentine* (1989), as Joe Bradshaw - *Drowning by Numbers* (1988), as Henry Madgett - *Bellman and True* (1987), as Hiller - *Boy Soldier* (1987), as Officer - *Theban Plays: Antigone* (1986), as Messenger - *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Octavian Barbu - *John Lennon: A Journey in the Life* (1985), as John Lennon - *No Surrender* (1985), as Bernard - *Restless Natives* (1985), as Will's father - *The Burston Rebellion* (1985), as Tom Higdon - *Screen Two* (1985), series, as John, Tom Higdon, Captain Larry - *The Chain* (1984), as Nick - *Squaring the Circle* (1984), as Lech Walesa - *The Bounty* (1984), as William Cole - *Samson and Delilah* (1984), as Willie - *Natural World* (1983), series, Actor - *Runners* (1983), as Trevor Field - *The Tragedy of Richard III* (1983), as First Murderer - *Henry VI Part 3* (1983), as Duke of York - *Henry VI Part 2* (1983), as Duke of York - *Henry VI Part 1* (1983), as Duke of York / Master Gunner Of Orleans - *Gandhi* (1982), as Sergeant Putnam — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md) - *Boys from the Blackstuff* (1982), series, as Yosser Hughes - *A Turn for the Worse* (1981), as Simon Simpson - *Say No to Strangers* (1981), as Teresa's Dad - *The Glamour Girls* (1980), series, as Boris - *Fox* (1980), series, as Vin Fox - *Fox* (1980), as Vin Fox - *The Black Stuff* (1980), as Yosser Hughes - *Soldiers Talking, Cleanly* (1978), as Mick - *Pickersgill People* (1978), series, as Harry 'Sharky' Finn - *She Fell Among Thieves* (1978), as Carson - *The Spongers* (1978), as Sullivan - *Premiere* (1977), series, as Tom - *Pit Strike* (1977), as Tom - *Professional Foul* (1977), as Broadbent - *BBC2 Play of the Week* (1977), series, as Carson, Broadbent - *Daft Mam Blues* (1977), as Billy - *Childhood* (1977), series, as Janey's father - *Our Flesh and Blood* (1977), as Bernard Blincoe - *It Could Happen to You* (1976), as Syph - *Housewives' Choice* (1976), as Eric - *Trade Unions: Seven Days that Shook Young Jim* (1976), as Bernie - *I, Claudius* (1976), series, as Gratus — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md) - *Trial by Combat* (1976), as Blind Freddie - *The Peddler* (1976), as Graham - *Village Hall* (1974), series, as Policeman - *Second City Firsts* (1973), series, as Billy - *Hard Labour* (1973), as Edward Thornley - *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Graham, Edward, Eric, Bernard Blincoe, Mick, Sullivan, Simon Simpson - *Horizon* (1964), series, as Narrator ## Gallery - ![Bernard Hill](https://film.one/media/person/60455/gallery-c3040b1c76d9.jpg) Bernard Hill — Bernard_Hill2.jpg: Flickr user, Gemma Longman derivative work: Ukexpat, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Bernard_Hill2_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![British actor Bernard Hill at the Lord of the Rings-Convention RingCon 2004 in Bonn, Germany.](https://film.one/media/person/60455/gallery-f905aebbb14d.jpg) British actor Bernard Hill at the Lord of the Rings-Convention Ring*Con 2004 in Bonn, Germany. — Diane Krauss (DianeAnna), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Bernard_Hill.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Bernard Hill, British actor who was Theoden in the Lord of the Rings films. (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/60455/gallery-17338c9b13f2.jpg) Bernard Hill, British actor who was Theoden in the Lord of the Rings films. (2007) — Flickr user, Gemma Longman, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Bernard_Hill2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Bernard Hill](https://film.one/media/person/60455/gallery-affe4c8f7041.jpg) Bernard Hill — Image via TMDB --- © 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/bernard-hill