Berkoff has appeared in more than 50 films.

His first credited role was in 1967´s Prehistoric Woman.

Absolute Beginners, from 1986, has him speaking in rhyming couplets as he plays a fascist leader. Fair Game, 1995, is probably his best henchman role, where again he is a Russian.  In Revolution, 1985, he is given a different type of role as a recruiting sergeant.

Prisoner in Rio inspired Berkoff to write a book about the filming, and his Rambo days inspired the play Acapulco.