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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

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 08/23/2018
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. Go to Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) 03/06/2009
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. Go to Full Review Anna Smith Empire Magazine 12/12/2008
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Jason Best Movie Talk 11/15/2020
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. Go to Full Review Andrew F. Peirce The Curb 09/02/2020
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. Go to Full Review Kate Rodger Newshub (NZ) 08/30/2019
4/5
A touching story of filial love and a delight to watch, 4 stars. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dylan M @RT44602418 May 25 This is an incredible film portrayal of a quirky and unique book. They couldn't have achieved a better cast. See more Steve @RT86475560 12/20/2023 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. See more 05/09/2021 10/10 - that is all I can say for a movie that had me fixed to my chair. See more michael h @RT41730653 02/05/2021 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. See more 04/20/2020 Absolutely stunning! See more 07/11/2019 Film making as it should be. Another Peter O'Toole tour de force. See more Read all reviews
Dean Spanley

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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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Dean Spanley

Dean Spanley (2008) Dean Spanley (2008) View more photos

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