Dean Spanley
2008 | 100m | English
Popularity: 1 (history)
| Director: | Toa Fraser |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Lord Dunsany, Alan Sharp |
| Staring: |
| 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. | |
| Release Date: | Dec 12, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Toa Fraser |
| Writer: | Lord Dunsany, Alan Sharp |
| Genres: | Comedy, Drama |
| Keywords | england, based on novel or book, victorian england, dog, gentlemen |
| Production Companies | New Zealand Film Commission, Lipsync Productions, GFC Films, Atlantic Film Productions |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Feb 01, 2025 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Toa Fraser | Director |
| Lord Dunsany | Novel |
| Odile Dicks-Mireaux | Costume Design |
| Liz Bunton | Line Producer |
| Leon Narbey | Director of Photography |
| Don McGlashan | Original Music Composer |
| Andrew McAlpine | Production Design |
| Alan Sharp | Screenplay |
| Chris Plummer | Editor |
| Cathy Doubleday | Script Supervisor |
| Piero Jamieson | Property Master |
| John William Turner | Floor Runner |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Matthew Metcalfe | Producer |
| Alan Harris | Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 | 14 | 21 | 8 |
| 2024 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 4 |
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| 2024 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 2 |
| 2024 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| 2024 | 12 | 6 | 15 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Trending Position
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.