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Dean Spanley

Play trailer Poster for Dean Spanley PG 2008 1h 40m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
After attending a talk on reincarnation by a visiting swami (Art Malik), sickly Horatio Fisk (Peter O'Toole), who is still grieving over the death of his eldest son, and his youngest son, Henslowe (Jeremy Northam), meet the charismatic Dean Spanley (Sam Neill) and the businessman Wrather (Bryan Brown). Horatio and Dean become fast friends and meet up frequently for dinner. Dean, though, is no ordinary guest. He claims to be the reincarnation of a dog, which only intrigues Horatio more.
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Dean Spanley

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Critics Consensus

Offbeat, whimsical, period-set shaggy dog story with daffy performances from Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Yes, this is a thin tale overstretched, a snack straining to be dinner, but this isn't to say it doesn't have its joys, because it does... It's ultimate doggyness is a joy. Aug 23, 2018 Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) Fraser and Sharp have structured the film, and the cast interpret it, so that comedy and poignancy are intertwined to the last; even as all is revealed, a sense of wonder remains. Mar 6, 2009 Full Review Anna Smith Empire Magazine Wilfully whimsical and determinedly eccentric, this faintly bonkers period tale won't be for everyone. But if you fall for Dean Spanley, you'll fall hard. Rated: 4/5 Dec 12, 2008 Full Review Jason Best Movie Talk It may take a while to get there, but the film's moving emotional payoff, embracing reconciliation and redemption, grief and consolation, is well worth the wait. Nov 15, 2020 Full Review Andrew F. Peirce The Curb Dean Spanley is a film that predominantly operates within the realm of light comedy, it does so with a powerful meditation on the resonance of grief across a lifetime. Sep 2, 2020 Full Review Kate Rodger Newshub (NZ) A touching story of filial love and a delight to watch, 4 stars. Rated: 4/5 Aug 30, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dylan M This is an incredible film portrayal of a quirky and unique book. They couldn't have achieved a better cast. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/25/25 Full Review Steve I watched it 3 times (over several years). It got better each time as I picked up more of the detail in the story and performances. My definition of a great movie/book. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/20/23 Full Review Pat H This is both a very funny and terribly poignant movie about loss. Set in a period that is unrecognisable to us. it is not a period drama per se. It has a very capable cast all at their best and beautifully crafted into the bargain. Enjoy a drink whilst watching it; who knows what you'll find. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/20/23 Full Review Audience Member 10/10 - that is all I can say for a movie that had me fixed to my chair. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review michael h Dean Spanley is hardly a film at all, but rather an extraordinary experience of others' experience. When DS appears to be at its most bizarre or eccentric it is truest to heart and soul. The lightness here is more akin to magic than whimsy in revealing how people actually think and feel at a given moment. (And how difficult is knowing this, for how many of us actually know what we are about to think AS we speak or write?) It's this mystery we attend here. All that the other stuff: acting, characterisation, script, etc. is perfection. (A role worthy of the then aged Peter O'Toole.) The price of admission is costly: We have to turn off the littlest box, s...l...o...w down and tune in with our minds and hearts. But if we do it's Bliss. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Absolutely stunning! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Toa Fraser

Director

Jeremy Northam

Fisk Jr.

Sam Neill

Dean Spanley

Bryan Brown

Wrather

Peter O'Toole

Fisk Sr.

Judy Parfitt

Mrs. Brimley

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Movie Info

Synopsis After attending a talk on reincarnation by a visiting swami (Art Malik), sickly Horatio Fisk (Peter O'Toole), who is still grieving over the death of his eldest son, and his youngest son, Henslowe (Jeremy Northam), meet the charismatic Dean Spanley (Sam Neill) and the businessman Wrather (Bryan Brown). Horatio and Dean become fast friends and meet up frequently for dinner. Dean, though, is no ordinary guest. He claims to be the reincarnation of a dog, which only intrigues Horatio more.
Director
Toa Fraser
Producer
Matthew Metcalfe, Alan Harris
Screenwriter
Alan Sharp
Rating
PG (Some Thematic Material|Mild Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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