Dean Spanley

2008 1h 40m EN

👍

7.4

SOLID

🍅

88%

FRESH

⭐

7.2

IMDB

★7.4TMDB · 69🍅88%Rotten Tomatoes★7.2IMDB · 3,872

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Jeremy Northam
Fisk Junior / Narrator (voice)
Sam Neill
Dean Spanley
Bryan Brown
Wrather
Peter O'Toole
Fisk Senior
Judy Parfitt
Mr. Brimley
Art Malik
Swami Nala Prash
Ramon Tikaram
Nawab of Ranjiput
Xavier Horan
Harrington Fisk

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Toa Fraser
Writers: Alan Sharp, David Gunson
Languages: English
Countries: New Zealand, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 18 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: New Zealand, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Toa Fraser, shot by Leon Narbey. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Don McGlashan. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Chris Plummer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jeremy Northam and Sam Neill and Bryan Brown carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1135968 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 69 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Toa Fraser directs. Leon Narbey behind the camera. Don McGlashan scores. Chris Plummer cuts. Produced in New Zealand, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 18 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: New Zealand, United Kingdom.
3Directed by Toa Fraser, shot by Leon Narbey. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Don McGlashan. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Chris Plummer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Jeremy Northam and Sam Neill and Bryan Brown carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt1135968 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 69 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Leon Narbey
Original score: Don McGlashan
Editing: Chris Plummer
Production design: Andrew McAlpine
Costume design: Odile Dicks-Mireaux
Makeup / hair: Alex King
Sound: Paul Cotterell
Stunt coordinator: Mark Harris
Runtime: 100 min · 1h 40m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Dean Spanley (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% 🍅 Fresh
IMDB rating: 7.2/10 · 3,872 votes
MPAA: PG

Awards

7 wins & 8 nominations

Also by

Toa Fraser

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

sykobanana2018-01-24
★ 9/10
This is one of those films that I recommend to everyone who love movies and great acting. It was little seen upon its release which is a shame because it has some of the most sublime and subtle acting as well as a moving and at times hilarious screenplay. Set in Edwardian England, we meet Fisk senior, an elderly gentleman looked after by his son, Fisk Junior, and house keeper, Mrs Brimley. Fisk senior has withdrawn from life and as a part of his son trying to keep him involved in society, they visit a talk on reincarnation where they briefly meet local clergyman, Dean Spanley. Following a further chance meeting, Fisk junior decides that he would like to spend more time with the reclusive Spanley, but he can only do so if he can procure a bottle of Imperial Tokaji (formerly spelled Tokay in English). As I mentioned, the acting in this film is superb by all, Northam with his quiet frustration with his father as Fisk junior and Brown does his “abrasive” Australian. But it is Sam Neil and Peter O'Toole who are the highlights – their acting, particularly during close ups, is at times incredible. Full credit to Toa Fraser for bringing these performances out with his light-handed direction. The beginning of the film can be a bit slow but I believe that this was done on purpose as a reflection of Fisk senior's life...as we journey with him, the film opens up more. I highly recommend this film, especially if you can try some Tokaji when you watch it. 9/10.

Production companies