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Dean Spanley (2008) -- Set in Edwardian England, 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.

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   491 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 21% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Toa Fraser
Writers:
Lord Dunsany (book)
Alan Sharp (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Dean Spanley on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 December 2008 (UK) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Plot:
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. | add synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations more
User Comments:
Sheer magic by Jeremy Northam, Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill more

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Jeremy Northam ... Narrator - Fisk Junior

Sam Neill ... Dean Spanley

Bryan Brown ... Wrather

Peter O'Toole ... Fisk Senior
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elizabeth Goram-Smith ... A young lady of stature
Charlotte Graham ... Woman in Cloisters

Bruce Hopkins ... Farmer
Art Malik ... Swami Nala Prash
Judy Parfitt ... Mrs Brimley
Eva Sayer ... Girl
Dudley Sutton ... Marriot
Ramon Tikaram ... Nawab of Ranjiput
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
My Talks with Dean Spanley (UK)
more
Runtime:
Canada:100 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Country:
New Zealand | UK
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Certification:
Australia:G | Ireland:G
Filming Locations:
New Zealand more

FAQ

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19 out of 23 people found the following comment useful:-
Sheer magic by Jeremy Northam, Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill, 21 December 2008
10/10
Author: RebekkaD from Germany

Peter O'Toole here gives a performance that shows the breadth and depth of his abilities fully and makes an unforgettable impression. It would be strange if O'Toole would not get a number of awards for this. But the lead role in this film belongs to Jeremy Northam, who plays Henslowe Fisk, plagued son of the O'Toole character. Northam carries a lot of this film and with his enormous talent and subtle as well as multi-layered acting deepens every moment of humour as well as emotion. Northam again dazzles with his talent and the truthfulness and intensity of his performance, and in this case shows how magical film can be if some of the best actors play as a real ensemble and support each other's acting. One can only wish for more lead roles for this extraordinary actor. And Sam Neill in his indeed slightly uncommon role as Dean Spanley shows that he can do more than we have ever seen from him. Some of his scenes are extremely difficult to execute in a way that is intense without slipping into silliness, but Neill does it immaculately.

The screenplay by Alan Sharp is extremely intelligent and witty, with some of the best funny lines I have ever heard in a film. He has, if I may say so, improved the story by Lord Dunsany very much. The director did very elegant, unobtrusive and subtle, most convincing work in every regard. And the music should also be mentioned, as it perfectly reflected the tone and style of this film. The overall experience of this film is sheer pleasure, of the deep sort with maybe a tear in one's eye, and then a warm glow of delight and remembrance.

Actually, this is not a film about dogs, but about human beings. It is not an eccentric movie based on a strange premise, but a truthful one that reflects some of the deepest issues of our lives. It is not only very intelligent and funny and deeply moving, but among films definitely a work of art.

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