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James Purefoy
James Purefoy was born and brought up in Somerset. After leaving school at the age of sixteen he took a succession of different jobs, including working on a pig farm and as a porter at Yeovil District Hospital, before travelling and working extensively throughout Europe. At eighteen James returned to college to take his A-Levels, one of which was Drama. It was there that he realised that this was something he felt inspired by and so applied for and was accepted onto the acting course at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Whilst playing the title role in Henry V in the first term of his final year at Central he was seen by a casting director from the RSC and invited to join the company immediately in Stratford. Although initi Ally asked only to play Ferdinand in Nick Hytner's production of The Tempest he left the RSC two years later having performed in eight productions and been directed by the likes of Adrian Noble, Roger Michell and Gene Saks playing, amongst other, Edgar in King Lear and Malcolm in Macbeth. Over the next six years he divided his time between theatre and television. In the theatre he worked with Katie Mitchell on Women of Troy at the Gate; Matthew Warchus, Ken Stott and Jude Law on Death of a Salesman at the West Yorkshire Playhouse; Iain Glen on Hamlet at Bristol Old Vic; Bill Alexander in a critic Ally acclaimed season at Birmingham Rep playing leading parts in The Servant, The Way of the World and Macbeth and with Allow.html">Simon C Allow, Joseph Fiennes Rupert Graves, and Helen McCrory, on Les Enfants du Paradis, again for the RSC. As well as appearing in the BBC's landmark period drama, _"Tenant of Wildfell H All, The" (1996) (mini)_ he has always chosen to do a wide variety of parts on television, to avoid being typecast. From the psychopathic rapist in BBC1's C Alling the Shots (1993) (TV) with Lynn Redgrave to the fraudster Darius Guppy in LWT's The Prince; from the urbane observer Nick Jenkins in Channel 4's "A Dance to the Music of Time" (1997) to the sad stalker in Granada's series "Metropolis" (2000), James has always managed to confound people's expectations of him. Over the last few years he has been busy making feature films, on average at the rate of three a year. Early credits include Jedd in Feast Of July (1995) for Merchant Ivory, and as the bisexual Irish baker, Brendan in Rose Troche's Bedrooms and H Allways (1998). From the alcoholic roustabout Tom in Mansfield Park (1999) to the wannabee 'Bond' actor Carl Phipps in Maybe Baby (2000); the gambling, womanising Daniel in Women Talking Dirty (1999) with Helena Bonham Carter to the noble, enigmatic Prince Edward in Brian Helgeland's A Knight's Tale (2001). He has continued to surprise those who seek to pidgeon-hole him in his film career - always choosing to play parts that juxtapose strongly with the one he has just completed. Last year he returned to the theatre to play the rake Ned Loveless in Trevor Nunn's acclaimed production of 'The Relapse' at the National Theatre in London, before embarking on the biggest ch Allenge he has yet faced - playing George in the big budget _ George And The Dragon (2003)_, with, among others, Michael Clarke Duncan, Val Kilmer, Piper Perabo and Patrick Swayze. This movie will be released in the summer of 2003. He lives alone in London.
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What members say |
Filmography
James Purefoy - news / articles
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Purefoy's agony over Solomon Kane role -
22 February 2010
-James Purefoy regrets employing a former Special Forces expert to get him into shape for action movie Solomon Kane - because the personal trainer made him exercise for 12 hours a day.-
-The Resident Evil star plays a 16th Century killer in the film and decided he need
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Purefoy collects movie swords -
19 September 2009
-James Purefoy loves signing up for swordfighting epics - because it's a cheap way of updating his impressive blade collection.-
-The Resident Evil star always insists on keeping the swords his characters have wielded in projects like A Knight's Tale, Rome, Don Quixote
James Purefoy - what members say
review by from Andover, Hampshire England
Bad Boy Blackbeard 1 October 2007
review by from Andover, Hampshire England
Carry on Centurion 7 September 2006
review by Northernsky from Halifax, West Yorks
All the serpents come out to play 14 September 2007
James Purefoy - filmography
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John Carter
on DVD
(2012)
Starring: Ciaran Hinds, Samantha Morton, Ciarán Hinds
Director: Andrew Stanton
Certificate: 
Civil War vet John Carter is transplanted to Mars, where he discovers a lush, wildly diverse planet whose main inhabitants are 12-foot tall green barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who is in desperate need of a ..read more »
 
66%
from 10,219 members
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John Carter - Blu-ray
(2012)
Starring: Ciaran Hinds, Samantha Morton, Ciarán Hinds
Director: Andrew Stanton
Certificate:
Civil War vet John Carter is transplanted to Mars, where he discovers a lush, wildly diverse planet whose main inhabitants are 12-foot tall green barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who is in desperate need of a ..read more »
64%
from 6,716 members
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John Carter - 3D Blu-ray
(2012)
Starring: Ciaran Hinds, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins
Director: Andrew Stanton
Certificate:
Civil War vet John Carter is transplanted to Mars, where he discovers a lush, wildly diverse planet whose main inhabitants are 12-foot tall green barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who is in desperate need of a ..read more »
65%
from 1,368 member
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Ironclad
on DVD
(2011)
Starring: Paul Giamatti, James Purefoy, Kate Mara
Director: Jonathan English
Certificate: 
Watch now: Included in all packages with LOVEFiLM Instant
Historical action adventure set in the Middle Ages. In 1215 England, King John (Paul Giamatti) has reluctantly signed the Magna Carta treaty, but quickly reneges on the promises drawn up in the charter and leads an army to the southern coast of England to take down the rebel barons who forced him ..read more »
63%
from 13,138 members
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Injustice - S01 E01
(2011)
Starring: James Purefoy, Dervla Kirwan, Charlie Creed-Miles
Director: Com Mccarthy
Certificate:
Barrister Will Travers, his wife Jane – a teacher at a Young Offenders' Centre – and daughter live in the Suffolk countryside. Natalie Chandra, a London solicitor, asks Will to defend Martin Newall, an old friend of his, accused of murdering his secretary and lover but protesting his innocence. ..read more »
62%
from 32 members
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Injustice - S01 E03
(2011)
Starring: James Purefoy, Dervla Kirwan, Charlie Creed-Miles
Director: Colm McCarthy
Certificate:
Will, Natalie and her junior David find 'Agadir' several times with various dates on Lucy's mobile phone. Martin, now on bail, is also asked by his boss Renner why 'Agadir' should be keyed into the computer but he is similarly puzzled. At least Natalie and Will establish that a hotel chambermaid ..read more »
63%
from 26 members
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Ironclad - Blu-ray
(2011)
Starring: Paul Giamatti, James Purefoy, Kate Mara
Director: Jonathan English
Certificate:
Watch now: Included in all packages with LOVEFiLM Instant
Historical action adventure set in the Middle Ages. In 1215 England, King John (Paul Giamatti) has reluctantly signed the Magna Carta treaty, but quickly reneges on the promises drawn up in the charter and leads an army to the southern coast of England to take down the rebel barons who forced him ..read more »
61%
from 6,586 members
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Injustice - S01 E04
(2011)
Starring: James Purefoy, Dervla Kirwan, Charlie Creed-Miles
Director: Colm McCarthy
Certificate:
Will and Natalie find out that Lucy had a previous conviction for blackmail and also that she was making phone calls to Jameel Khan, a journalist investigating the Kestrel company's possible exploitation of its African locations. To the horror of his kindly sergeant, Taylor, Wenborn bullies a ..read more »
62%
from 20 members
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Injustice
(2 discs)
on DVD
(2011)
Starring: James Purefoy, Charlie Creed-Miles, Lisa Diveney
Director: Anthony Horowitz
Certificate:
All five episodes of the ITV drama about a criminal barrister who suffers a crisis of conscience when asked to defend an old friend. After a successful career defending the underdog, defense barrister William Travers (James Purefoy) suffers a nervous breakdown and retreats to the Suffolk ..read more »
70%
from 356 members
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Injustice - S01 E05
(2011)
Starring: James Purefoy, Dervla Kirwan, Charlie Creed-Miles
Director: Colm McCarthy
Certificate:
Jameel Khan comes forward to say that he deliberately planted Lucy in the Qestrel office and encouraged her affair to get evidence of the firm's illegal dumping of toxic waste in Africa, collected by a ship called the Agadir. Will makes full use of this at Martin's trial, the result prompting him ..read more »
72%
from 34 members
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Injustice - S01 E02
(2011)
Starring: James Purefoy, Dervla Kirwan, Charlie Creed-Miles
Director: Colm McCarthy
Certificate:
Martin tells Will of his affair with Lucy, the victim. They would visit a hotel for sex and Martin found her dead in their room one night after going out to get a takeaway. His computer, with information about his employer Kestrel, an oil trading firm, was stolen and his loyal wife Caroline ..read more »
63%
from 23 members
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Solomon Kane
on DVD
(2010)
Starring: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Patrick Hurd-Wood
Director: Michael J. Bassett
Certificate:
Solomon Kane is a 16th century anti-hero created by Robert E. Howard (creator of Conan the Barbarian). When Solomon Kane (James Purefoy) meets the Devil's Reaper, he postpones his fate by renouncing violence - a vow that is soon tested by the forces of evil. As Kane once again straps on his weapons,..read more »
63%
from 18,308 members
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Diamonds
on DVD
(2008)
Starring: Ben Ayres, Robert Borges, Jeremy Crutchley
Director: Andy Wilson
Certificate:
A US Senator goes to an Eastern Congo diamond mine seeking answers as to how her daughter was killed in a massacre. But in seeking the truth, all the Senator uncovers is a trail of greed, lies and blood... all in the name of diamonds.
53%
from 34 members
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Diamonds - S01 E01
(2008)
Starring: James Purefoy, Derek Jacobi, Judy Davis
Director: Andy Wilson
Certificate:
A US Senator travels to the killing zone of an Eastern Congo diamond mine seeking answers to how her daughter was killed in a massacre. In the pursuit of truth, the Senator only finds a trail of greed, lies and blood... all in the name of diamonds.
50%
from 11 members
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Diamonds - S01 E02
(2008)
Starring: James Purefoy, Derek Jacobi, Judy Davis
Director: Andy Wilson
Certificate:
Conclusion: A US Senator travels to the killing zone of an Eastern Congo diamond mine seeking answers to how her daughter was killed in a massacre. In the pursuit of truth, the Senator only finds a trail of greed, lies and blood... all in the name of diamonds.
56%
from 10 members
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Frankenstein
on DVD
(2007)
Starring: James Purefoy, Lindsay Duncan, Helen McCrory
Director: Jed Mercurio
Certificate:
In this modern reworking of Mary Shelley's classic horror story, Dr Victor Frankenstein is reborn in the 21st century as a female biologist named Victoria. Helen McCrory plays the female scientist whose controversial research spawns a monster. McCrory leads a stellar cast which also includes James ..read more »
50%
from 106 members
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Blackbeard - The Real Pirate Of The Cari...
on DVD
(2005)
Starring: James Purefoy
Director: Richard Dale
Certificate:
This is the true story of Edward Teach, who went on to become the most notorious pirate the world has ever known. Loved by some, hated by many, feared by everyone, his reign of terror along the east coast of America and rash decision to strike at the heart of the government drove the authorities to ..read more »
64%
from 231 members
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Blessed
on DVD
(2004)
Starring: James Purefoy, Fionnula Flanagan, Michele Gentille
Director: Simon Fellows
Certificate:
Thriller starring Heather Graham and James Purefoy as a couple who desperately want to have a baby, but unfortunately Samantha (Graham) is infertile. The couple can't afford the medical treatments that might allow her to conceive so they are overjoyed when they are given the opportunity to receive ..read more »
42%
from 3,221 members
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Vanity Fair
on DVD
(2004)
Starring: Rhys Ifans, James Purefoy, Jim Broadbent
Director: Mira Nair
Certificate: 
Adaptation of Thackeray's satirical masterpiece about the constant battle for wealth and social success amongst the aristocracy of the early nineteenth century. In a society growing rich on the wealth generated by an expanding empire, Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon) is the ambitious daughter of a ..read more »
58%
from 21,394 members
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The Mayor Of Casterbridge
on DVD
(2003)
Starring: James Purefoy, Ciaran Hinds, Juliet Aubrey
Director: David Thacker
Certificate:
Whilst travelling with his family in search of work, in a fit of drunken madness farm-worker Michael Henchard (Ciaran Hinds) manages to auction off both his wife Susan (Juliet Aubrey) and baby daughter. Eighteen years later, Henchard is set to become mayor of Casterbridge. But when his wife and her ..read more »
70%
from 2,167 members
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George And The Dragon
on DVD
(2003)
Starring: Piper Perabo, James Purefoy, Michael Clarke Duncan
Director: Tom Reeve
Certificate:
Comic adventure based loosely on the story of St George and the dragon. In 12th century England, the handsome and noble knight George (James Purefoy) returns home from the Crusades dreaming of a peaceful life on his own piece of land. However, in order to obtain his land from the ruling King Edgar (..read more »
58%
from 324 members
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Resident Evil - Blu-ray
(2002)
Starring: James Purefoy, Eric Mabius, Michelle Rodriguez
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Certificate:
A big screen version of the popular computer game. A virus has been sealed in an underground research centre, the Hive, and Alice (Milla Jovovich) and Rain (Michelle Rodriguez) are sent in with a team of commandos to destroy it. However, they have not counted on the fact that all the employees who ..read more »
71%
from 2,100 members
Currently unavailable
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Resident Evil
on DVD
(2002)
Starring: James Purefoy, Eric Mabius, Michelle Rodriguez
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Certificate:
A big screen version of the popular computer game. A virus has been sealed in an underground research centre, the Hive, and Alice (Milla Jovovich) and Rain (Michelle Rodriguez) are sent in with a team of commandos to destroy it. However, they have not counted on the fact that all the employees who ..read more »
66%
from 19,498 members
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Lighthouse
on DVD
(2001)
Starring: James Purefoy, Rachel Shelley, Don Warrington
Director: Simon Hunter
Certificate:
Watch now: Included in all packages with LOVEFiLM Instant
British slasher horror directed by Simon Hunter. When a boat sinks during a fierce storm, a handful of survivors are left stranded on an apparently deserted island. Little do they know, however, that the island is occupied... by a psychopathic murderer.
44%
from 697 members
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A Knight's Tale
on DVD
(2001)
Starring: Shannyn Sossam, Heath Ledger, Mark Addy
Director: Brian Helgeland
Certificate:
Watch now: Included in all packages with LOVEFiLM Instant
Inspired by "The Canterbury Tales," this is the story of William , a young squire with a gift for jousting. After his master dies suddenly, the squire hits the road with his cohorts Roland and Wat. On the journey, they stumble across an unknown writer, Chaucer. William, lacking a proper pedigree, ..read more »
70%
from 17,611 members
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Maybe Baby
on DVD
(2000)
Starring: Joanna Lumley, Joely Richardson, Emma Thompson
Director: Ben Elton
Certificate:
Watch now: Unavailable
Ben Elton writes and directs this romantic comedy adaptation of his own novel. Sam Bell (Hugh Laurie) and wife Lucy (Joely Richardson) seem to have it all - good looks, nice jobs, the perfect marriage - but despite their best efforts they haven't yet managed to produce the one thing they want above ..read more »
57%
from 3,282 members
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The Wedding Tackle
on DVD
(2000)
Starring: James Purefoy, Neil Stuke, Tony Slattery
Director: Rami Dvir
Certificate:
Photographer Hal (James Purefoy) wants out of his imminent wedding to Vinni (Susan Vidler), and on his all-day stag night asks his pal Mr Mac (Adrian Dunbar) to seduce her so he can catch them in flagrante. Little does Hal know that his supposed friend and Vinni's ex-boyfriend, Little Ted (Tony ..read more »
45%
from 150 members
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Mansfield Park
(1999)
Starring: Victoria Hamilton, Justine Waddell, James Purefoy
Director: Patricia Rozema
Certificate:
Big screen adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. When Fanny Price (Frances O'Connor) is sent by her debt-ridden mother to live with her rich aunt, she struggles to adjust to her new aristrocratic lifestyle. Her 'superior' relatives constantly ignore her, and only her cousin Edmond (Jonny Lee ..read more »
65%
from 4,667 members
Currently unavailable
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The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall
on DVD
(1996)
Starring: Linda Marlowe, Tara Fitzgerald, Pam Ferris
Director: Mike Barker
Certificate:
BBC mini-series adapted from Anne Brontë's neglected tale which follows Helen Graham (Tara Fitzgerald), a widow with a hidden past who takes up residence at Wildfell Hall. When young farmer Gilbert Markham (Toby Stephens) encounters Helen he is immediately drawn to her but in their tight-knit ..read more »
68%
from 2,786 members
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Feast Of July
on DVD
(1996)
Starring: James Purefoy, Greg Wise, Tom Bell
Director: Christopher Menaul
Certificate:
Bella Ford is a young woman searching for the lover who rejected her. She is taken in by the Wainwright family, only to have all three of their handsome sons fight for her love. Just as Bella seems on the verge of finding happiness, her original lover returns unexpectedly.
52%
from 161 members
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A Knight's Tale - Blu-ray
Starring: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Paul Bettany
Director: Brian Helgeland
Certificate:
Watch now: Included in all packages with LOVEFiLM Instant
In the Middle Ages, before television or professional sports, there's only one form of competition to separate the men from the boys--jousting tournaments. William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), a poor and humble squire, has always dreamed of proving himself worthy as a knight in a jousting match. When ..read more »
71%
from 2,671 members
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Sharpe - Classic Collection - Blu-ray
(7 discs)
Starring: James Purefoy, Brian Cox, Sean Bean
Director: Tom Clegg
Certificate:
Collection of the feature-length television movies set during the Napoleonic Wars, starring Sean Bean as the maverick British rifleman Richard Sharpe. 15 episodes feature, including the special, 'Sharpe: The Legend', in which Rifleman Cooper (Michael Mears), who fought alongside Sharpe throughout ..read more »
83%
from 216 members
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Goose on the Loose!
Starring: Chevy Chase, Kari Matchett, James Purefoy
Director: Nicholas Kendall
Certificate: 
Randall the Goose is out on a summer date with his lifelong love Etta when he is suddenly snatched by Congreve Maddox, a gourmet cook and principal of Willow Springs Elementary, who wants to make Randall his trophy prize in a culinary contest. But Congreve meets his match in his next-door neighbors,..read more »
10%
from 2 members
Currently unavailable
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James Purefoy facts
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...s not disappointed.
The narrator of this story of Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach (James Purefoy) was his first mate Israel Hands (Mark Noble) who was actually a real pirate an...
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