David Bradley
ActingAbout David Bradley
Born to a miner father and a seamstress mother in Barnsley, South Yorkshire in 1953, David Bradley is best known for playing Billy Casper in Ken Loach's 1969 film, Kes. Prior to this starring role, Bradley had only ever acted in school pantomimes and secured the lead in an open audition against thousands of children. Following the success of Kes, Bradley had to change his name to Dai Bradley on account of the actor David Bradley already having an Equity card in that name. Bradley turned to television appearing as the lead in two children's series The Flaxton Boys and The Jensen Code and guest roles in Z Cars, Nearest and Dearest and A Family at War. He appeared in several other movies as a young man in the tail end of the 70s including All Quiet on the Western Front, Zulu Dawn and Absolution but by the following decade Bradley decided to retire from acting and tried his hand as a writer instead. In recent years he has returned to the profession as David Bradley once more and has had roles in the film Hummingbird and the children's TV series The Dumping Ground.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of David Bradley reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 15 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of David Bradley's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), David Bradley remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Kes, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best David Bradley Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from David Bradley's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of David Bradley.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Greg Davies: Looking for Kes | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | Macbeth | Porter | Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach | Self / Billy | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Hummingbird | Billy | Average | Similar → |
| 2010 | Making Kes | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 2003 | Asylum | Father Michael | Average | Similar → |
| 1983 | Those Glory Glory Days | 1961 Spurs Team Member | Flop | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Battle of Waterloo | Ferris | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | The World Cup: A Captain's Tale | Ticer Thomas | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | All Quiet on the Western Front | Albert Kropp | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Zulu Dawn | Pte Williams | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Absolution | Arthur Dyson | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Malachi's Cove | Barty | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | That Quiet Earth | The Evangelist | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | Kes | Billy | Hit | Similar → |
David Bradley - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of David Bradley?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring David Bradley is "Kes" with a rating of 7.4/10.
How many movies has David Bradley acted in?
David Bradley has been featured in at least 15 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by David Bradley?
Other notable films include "The World Cup: A Captain's Tale", "Greg Davies: Looking for Kes", and "Macbeth".