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David Gurfinkel

David Gurfinkel

Cinematographer · Born December 2, 1938 (87) · Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine [now Israel]

David Gurfinkel was born on December 12, 1938 in Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine. He is known for Festival at the Poolroom (1975), Over the Top (1987), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) and Dangerous Acts (1998).

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 2, 1938 (87)
From
Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine [now Israel]
Works as
Cinematographer
Titles
27 on MovieCove · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 90% in 30 days

What are David Gurfinkel's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 6th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
30%
Bonds
29%
Power
16%
Survival
11%
Self
9%
Ideas
3%
Society
2%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 27 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 11 · Serious 6 · Dark 10

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 8 · Intense 12

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 14 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 16 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
19
Thrilling
9
Joyful
6
Melancholic
7
Dread
6
Other
18

How their films linger

Fun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Gurfinkel's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 27 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (20).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Gurfinkel's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

70 credits, 27 with a MovieCove page.

  • A Matter of Size (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Cinematographer

  • Salt of the Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Schwartz Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • Turn Left at the End of the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Cinematographer

  • The Order(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Last Patrol(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Three Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Dangerous Acts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Sh'Chur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • Under The Domim Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III(1993)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • American Samurai(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Blink of an Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Cables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Like Adults - Part One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Like Adults - Part Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Cover-Up(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Like Adults (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • A Man Called Sarge(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • The Last Love of Laura Adler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • Aviya's Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Cinematographer

  • Salsa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Cinematographer

  • Lool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Cinematographer

  • Appointment with Death(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Rambo III(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Emperor's New Clothes(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Rumpelstiltskin(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Over the Top(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Sleeping Beauty(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • America 3000(1986)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Delta Force(1986)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Mata Hari(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Rappin'(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Evergreen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 3 episodes · Cinematographer

  • The Lover(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Naked Face(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Rage and Glory(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Sahara(1983)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Revenge of the Ninja(1983)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Tell Me That You Love Me(1983)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Eastern Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • A Thousand Little Kisses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • Enter the Ninja(1981)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Apple(1980)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Worlds Apart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Cinematographer

  • The Magician of Lublin(1979)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Save the Lifeguard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Aunt Clara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • לויתן בחוף שרתון (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

  • Vengeance(1976)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Festival At The Poolroom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Cinematographer

  • The Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Cinematographer

  • Big Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • Kazablan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • Escape to the Sun(1972)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Policeman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • The Highway Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • Take Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Cinematographer

  • Siege (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • Every Bastard a King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Fish, Football and Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Iris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • The Other Side (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • The Postal Receptionists (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Three Days and a Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Cinematographer

  • Shabbat Shalom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • Old Age Is Makeup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • Hole in the Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Cinematographer

  • The National Water Carrier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Additional Photography

  • An Exercise in Simple Symbols (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Assistant Director of Photography

Career shape

A full career of 65 titles from 1961 to 2009.

Biggest box office

Rambo III (1988)

$189M worldwide

Highest rated

Revenge of the Ninja (1983)

Midcredits 46th

Most popular right now

Over the Top (1987)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 65: 1 only acting, 0 with another roleCinematography63 of 65: 62 only cinematography, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score17thOther crew2 of 65: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s12 · crew1970s13 · crew1980s20 · crew1990s14 · crew2000s6 · 1 acting · 5 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do David Gurfinkel's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 19th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 27 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 22nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

22ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Approval · how many liked their films

18thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 50th to 74th1
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 27 titles are Mixed.

  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed22

Most divisive · cinematographer

A Man Called Sarge (1990)

86th percentile spread · 59% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

Rage and Glory (1984)

Midcredits 54th · 53% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 48/100 in their films, across 22 reviewed titles; fans 60, detractors 35. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Gurfinkel's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 54 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles9–50 · median 17 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does David Gurfinkel work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Gurfinkel's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Menahem Golan shares the most, 18.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers