Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
David Farrar, actor
Actor

David Farrar: Movies & Box Office

films
33
on screen
1938–2024
box office
$326K
average score
85
Born
December 14, 1908
Birthplace
London, England
Citizenship
British
Occupations
Actor
Years active
1935-1970
Biggest hits

The Best David Farrar Movies

The films of David Farrar that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Black Narcissus (1947) leads with $166K. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

David Farrar's Career in Numbers

David Farrar's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres David Farrar works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror (1938) to Angel (1982), and the 1950s were the busiest decade.

David Farrar Movies by Decade

  1. 1930s 2
  2. 1940s 10
  3. 1950s 17
  4. 1960s 2
  5. 1980s 1

The 1950s were David Farrar's busiest decade, with 17 films.

David Farrar Movies by Genre

  • Adventure 6
  • Drama 6
  • Romance 6
  • War 3
  • Crime 3
  • Thriller 3
  • Music 1
  • History 1
  • Comedy 1
  • Action 1

Adventure is the genre David Farrar has worked in most, with 6 films, ahead of drama (6).

David Farrar Career Milestones

Biggest box office hit
Black Narcissus $166K worldwide
Newest film
Angel 1982
33 credits

David Farrar Filmography: Every Movie

Every film David Farrar is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 85. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

David Farrar Movies as an Actor

32
  1. 1982 Angel (1982) movie poster Angel as Martin · Music
  2. 1962 The 300 Spartans (1962) movie poster The 300 Spartans as Xerxes · Adventure
  3. 1960 Beat Girl (1960) movie poster Beat Girl as Paul Linden · Drama
  4. 1959 Solomon and Sheba (1959) movie poster Solomon and Sheba as Pharaoh · Romance
  5. 1959 John Paul Jones (1959) movie poster John Paul Jones as John Wilkes · Romance
  6. 1959 Watusi (1959) movie poster Watusi as Rick Cobb · Adventure
  7. 1958 Son of Robin Hood (1958) movie poster Son of Robin Hood as Des Roches · Adventure
  8. 1958 I Accuse! (1958) movie poster I Accuse! as Mathieu Dreyfus · History
  9. 1956 The Battle of the River Plate (1956) movie poster The Battle of the River Plate as Narrator · War
  10. 1956 Lost (1956) movie poster Lost as Detective Inspector Craig · Crime
  11. 1955 Pearl of the South Pacific (1955) movie poster Pearl of the South Pacific as Bully Hague · Adventure
  12. 1955 The Sea Chase (1955) movie poster The Sea Chase as Commander Jeff Napier · War
  13. 1955 Escape to Burma (1955) movie poster Escape to Burma as The Sawbwa · Adventure
  14. 1954 Lilacs in the Spring (1954) movie poster Lilacs in the Spring as Charles King · Comedy
  15. 1954 The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) movie poster The Black Shield of Falworth as Gilbert Blunt, Earl of Alban · Romance
  16. 1954 Duel in the Jungle (1954) movie poster Duel in the Jungle as Perry Henderson / Arthur Henderson · Adventure
  17. 1951 The Golden Horde (1951) movie poster The Golden Horde as Sir Guy of Devon · Action
  18. 1951 The Late Edwina Black (1951) movie poster The Late Edwina Black as Gregory Black · Mystery
  19. 1950 Gone to Earth (1950) movie poster Gone to Earth as John Reddin · Romance
  20. 1950 Cage of Gold (1950) movie poster Cage of Gold as Bill · Thriller
  21. 1949 Diamond City (1949) movie poster Diamond City as Stafford Parker · Drama
  22. 1949 The Small Back Room (1949) movie poster The Small Back Room as Sammy Rice · Romance
  23. 1948 Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill (1948) movie poster Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill as David Traill · Drama
  24. 1947 Black Narcissus (1947) movie poster Black Narcissus Drama
  25. 1947 Frieda (1947) movie poster Frieda as Robert Dawson · Drama
  26. 1943 Headline (1943) movie poster Headline as 'Brookie ' Brooks · Drama
  27. 1943 The Dark Tower (1943) movie poster The Dark Tower as Tom Danton · Thriller
  28. 1943 They Met in the Dark (1943) movie poster They Met in the Dark as Commander Lippinscott · Romance
  29. 1942 Went the Day Well? (1942) movie poster Went the Day Well? as Lieutenant Jung · War
  30. 1942 Suspected Person (1942) movie poster Suspected Person as Inspector Thompson · Crime
  31. 1939 Q Planes (1939) movie poster Q Planes as Viking Bo'sun · Thriller
  32. 1938 Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror (1938) movie poster Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror as Granite Grant · Crime
Biography

Who Is David Farrar?

David Farrar was born in London, England in 1908. Credited on films since 1938, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

David Farrar was an English actor whose career spanned the golden age of British cinema, leaving an indelible mark with his commanding presence and versatile talent. Born on 14 December 1908 in London, he began his artistic journey on the stage, honing his craft in repertory theatres before transitioning to film in the mid‑1930s. Farrir’s early screen work showcased his natural charisma, quickly earning him roles in period dramas and wartime thrillers that highlighted his ability to convey both strength and subtle vulnerability. By the late 1940s, he had become a sought‑after leading man, starring opposite prominent actresses such as Deborah Kerr and Margaret Lockwood, which cemented his status as a household name in the United Kingdom. His most celebrated performances came in the 1950s, when he delivered a riveting turn as the charismatic Captain Dan Kelly in The Quatermass Xperiment and portrayed the tormented scientist Sir John Hamilton in the landmark adaptation of The War of the Worlds (1953), both of which displayed his deft handling of suspense and science‑fiction themes. In addition to his film work, Farrar made notable appearances on television, embracing the emerging medium with guest spots in popular series that broadened his audience beyond the silver screen. Despite the shifting landscape of post‑war entertainment, he maintained a steady presence in the industry through the 1960s, adapting to character roles that leveraged his distinguished demeanor and seasoned experience. His career, which stretched roughly from 1935 to 1970, reflects a dedication to the craft that inspired a generation of actors and contributed to the evolution of British cinematic storytelling. Today, David Farrar is remembered not only for his memorable performances but also for his unwavering professionalism and the timeless appeal he brought to every role he inhabited.

Works with

Who David Farrar Makes Movies With

The actors and directors David Farrar shares the most films with. Emeric Pressburger comes first, with 4 films together, followed by Herbert Lom (3).

FAQ

David Farrar: Questions & Answers

How many movies David Farrar has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has David Farrar been in?

David Farrar is credited on 33 films, from 1938 to 2024. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is David Farrar's highest-grossing movie?

Black Narcissus (1947) is David Farrar's biggest box office hit, with $166K worldwide, ahead of Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (2024) ($71K). Across every film with box office figures, David Farrar's movies have made $326K.

David Farrar's biggest hits

What is the best David Farrar movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, David Farrar's best-rated film is Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (2024) with a score of 85.

Best David Farrar movies, ranked

What is David Farrar's newest movie?

The most recent film on David Farrar's filmography is Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (2024), in the role of Self - Actor, Black Narcissus, The Small Back Room, Gone to Earth.

Who does David Farrar work with most often?

David Farrar shares the most films with Emeric Pressburger (4 films), Herbert Lom (3 films) and John Crawford (3 films).

The Best David Farrar Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 33 credits.

See the ranking

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app