Bates's film roles include "Bedazzled" (1967) as the flirtatious police inspector, "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" (1967) as Mr. McGregor, "Battle of Britain" (1969) as Warrant Officer Warwick, "Oh! What a Lovely War" (1969) as a Lance-Corporal, "Patton" (1970) as Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery (to whom he bore a striking resemblance), "A Clockwork Orange" (1971) and "Frenzy" (1972). On stage, he played Shakespearean roles at Stratford and at the Old Vic, and made a big impression as Inspector Truscott in the West End production of "Loot" by Joe Orton in 1966.