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Dean Spanley [DVD]

Jeremy Northam (Actor), Sam Neill (Actor), Toa Fraser (Director) Rated: Universal, suitable for all Format: DVD
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 466 ratings
IMDb7.2/10.0
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Dean Spanley — —
Format PAL
Contributor Charlotte Graham, Art Malik, Toa Fraser, Alan Sharp, Jenna Pollard, Alan Harris, Ramon Tikaram, Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill, Elizabeth Goram-Smith, Matthew Metcalfe, Judy Parfitt, Bryan Brown, Dudley Sutton, Eva Sayer, Jeremy Northam See more
Language English
Runtime 1 hour and 40 minutes
Studio Icon Home Entertainment

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Product description

Comedy drama starring Peter O'Toole, set in Edwardian England. Since the death of his younger son in the Boer War, Horatio Fisk (O'Toole) has aged into a bitter and curmudgeonly misanthrope, distanced even from his good-natured older son, Henslowe (Jeremy Northam), who visits him weekly. To relieve the tedium of their regular outings, the pair decide to attend a lecture on the Transmigration of Souls delivered by a visiting Hindu Swami. There, they meet the eccentric and mysterious Dean Spanley (Sam Neill), with whom Fisk Jr strikes up a bizarre friendship following a series of chance meetings. Henslowe tempts the Dean to dinner with promises of a rare Hungarian Tokay wine, which he must then go to great lengths to procure, his quest leading him to resourceful rogue trader Wrather (Bryan Brown). From these unlikely encounters, a sequence of events conspire to unlock the heart of the stiff-upper-lipped Fisk Sr, and reveal the emotional truths buried in his past.

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 16:9 - 1.78:1
  • Is discontinued by manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.2 x 13.6 x 1.6 cm; 0.28 g
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 5051429101705
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Toa Fraser
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ PAL
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 40 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ 27 April 2009
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill, Bryan Brown, Peter O'Toole, Elizabeth Goram-Smith
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Icon Home Entertainment
  • Producers ‏ : ‎ Alan Harris, Matthew Metcalfe
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001Q94TRO
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Alan Sharp
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 466 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
466 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • PG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky and quite wonderful...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The great thing about watching movies is that every now and again a film comes at you from left field that is so unusual that when you’ve turned off the DVD player you find yourself sitting back quietly and mulling over what you’ve just seen. It’s when you feel that warm glow beginning to spread up from your toes and you find there’s a daft smile on your face that you know you’ve just seen something rather special.

    Dean Spanley’s one of those, but I guarantee if you tried to explain the plot to anyone they’d think you were several sandwiches short of a picnic. I’ll have a go, though….

    Set in 1904, it revolves around the relationship between the long suffering Henslowe Fisk (Jeremy Northam) and his ailing, crusty curmudgeon of a father played effortlessly by Peter O’Toole. Every Thursday, a duty bound Fisk Junior visits his dad and in a futile attempt to maintain an ever weakening bond of affection, the two of them trundle off to art galleries and lectures. It’s when Fisk Junior sees an advertisement for a talk on the transmogrification of souls (that’s reincarnation to you and me) by an Indian swami and they meet fellow audience member, clergyman Dean Spanley (Sam Neill) that their lives are changed for ever.

    And if you think I’m gonna try and fill out the rest of it, you’ve got a another think coming.

    Like the old pro he was, Peter O'Toole walks away with every damned scene, but that’s not to detract in any way from the rest of the small (but beautifully formed) cast who clearly had the time of their lives. How the director Toa Fraser managed to gather players of this quality together (for I’m guessing not a lot of dosh) should be required study at any film school. Sam Neill’s performance as the Dean who, when plied with ever increasing tipples of Imperial Tokay (the bottles of which were once opened only by royal decree…!), begins to expand on what he pertains to be his past life is also a standout.

    Whimsical is the adjective that springs to mind and indeed it’s the one most used by the cast in the interviews in the Special Features. It’s also poignant and in many ways rather topical. It is also very, very funny.

    So if you’re looking for something a little different, take a look. Indulge yourself…you’ve earned it.

    Oh, and one last thing; if the final scene with Peter O’Toole doesn’t make your heart skip a beat, you have no soul…
    4 people found this helpful
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  • henrysmummy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dean Spanley: a gem of a film
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 January 2009
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderful film. There are chortles throughout, tear wiping at the end, and at one point (if you've seen it, you'll know when) you will jump right out of your skin! Imo, it's a little gem of a film, quirky, funny, poignant and with an emotional kick at the end.I was prepared to be slightly underwhelmed because I'd got myself so excited about it, read the reviews, seen the interviews, the clips, even got the book (I'm a big fan of Jeremy Northam). But I was not in the slightest bit disappointed, it was wonderful from the beautifully animated titles and our first sight of Jeremy Northam walking along the North Brink in Wisbech towards Peckover House to the final scene. All of the actors are on top form. O'Toole is fabulous, both funny and heartbreaking too. Sam Neill plays what is probably the most unusual role of his career pitch perfectly, his body movements alone are worth the ticket, Bryan Brown as a roughish colonial is warm and charming, and as for Jeremy Northam, it is through his eyes that we see the story unfold, and his perfect face is in close up for much of the film. His role is largely to tell the story and to react to the other more flamboyant characters, and this he does with beautifully played subtle reactions, fleeting expressions, small noises and movements that are spot on every time. He brings out the comedy by playing O'Toole's "straight man" to perfection. I confess, I could not take my eyes off his face, it was a masterclass. He is frustrated with his father, even angry, but there is also something heartbreakingly vulnerable in his performance which makes you long for O'Toole to give him some small crumb of affection. I was impressed with the attention to detail, the film looks lovely and all of the cast were gorgeously dressed, from O'Toole's smoking jacket to Northam's detailed shirts. This film will leave you with a tear in your eye and a warm glow in your heart: what could be better!
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Hud955i
    5.0 out of 5 stars An unexpected delight
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2009
    Verified Purchase
    I was taken to see this film by a friend. I went with misgivings and the expectation of being thoroughly bored. The opening ten minutes did nothing to allay those fears: the action was slow, of no apparent interest or dramatic impact, and seemed to be going nowhere. But little by little this opening sense of tedium and repression takes on a meaning; the four-square plot becomes increasingly eccentric; the humour builds; and soon the film is producing some delightfully quirky entertainment, helped by great acting and characterisation from the small cast. I was completely captivated. Then, unexpectedly, from out of this quirkyness emerges a very poignant and touching little drama. Ultimately the film makes a powerful statement about what is important in our lives and relationships - it makes us feel good about what it means to be human.

    Dean Spanley is based on a short story by Lord Dunsany and as with most short stories, the plot turns on circumstances which create a single but profound change -in this case, in the inner life of a character. We are not used to this kind of plot structure in the cinema - but, here at least, it works beautifully.

    Peter O'Toole is magnificent. His watery eyes and far-off look are perfect for the role and dominate the screen whenever he is in shot. His eccentric and walled-up character is wholly convincing, touching and entertaining. Sam Neil, Jeremy Northam and the rest of the cast are excellent too.

    I guess if you demand plenty of action or complex plot lines, this film will not appeal. If, on the other hand, you like quirky, off-beat themes or films which allow a personal drama to quietly unfold, then go for it. I loved it.
    68 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • James Cody
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
    Reviewed in Canada on 6 June 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This movie is an extremely slow builder -- my family quit on it halfway through. "Too slow", they said. All I can say is I am very grateful to this seller for affording me the option to watch this obscure, but wonderful, film. The acting is uniformly terrific, but especially Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill give what I would grade as Oscar-worthy performances. The setting is beautiful and I was immediately transported into the very early 1900s. So viewers should keep watching to the end, it is well worth it.
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  • Marco
    5.0 out of 5 stars non è mai troppo tardi per perdonare tuo padre
    Reviewed in Italy on 1 November 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Un film particolare, un pò bizzarro, dolce e commovente
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  • Tita Fürst - Koren
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ein besonderer Film mit viel Tiefgang und Wärme
    Reviewed in Germany on 2 August 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Wer sagt, dass ein Film immer eine Handlung haben muß, in der irgendwie etwas SCHNELL passieren soll? Natürlich, keiner! Und wenn man diesen Film sieht, ist man überzeugt - es braucht nur eine kleine Geschichte mit wunderbaren Schauspielern und schon ist man verzaubert.

    2008 drehte Toa Fraser, ein neuseeländischer Regisseur diesen Film, und zwar nach der Buchvorlage von Lord Dunsany (Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany - sein ganzer Name), einen Schriftsteller, der öfter mal ins Märchenhafte, teils okkulte "ging". Er lebte von 1878 bis 1957, "My Talks with Dean Spanley" wurde in 30 - Jahren geschrieben. Wenn man seine Lebensgeschichte (die von dem Lord) liest, man könnte einen Film nur aus seinem Leben machen.

    Kurz zum Inhalt:
    Irgendwann am Beginn des 20. Jhr leben in England viele Menschen, die aus Kolonien gekommen sind und die auf ihre Tradition nicht verzichten können oder wollen. Jeden Donnerstag besucht Henslowe Fisk (Jeremy Northam) seinen Vater, Horatio Fisk (Peter O'Toole), der alleine in einem großen, dunklen Haus lebt. Für ihn sorgt zwar die Häushälterin, Mrs Brimley (Judy Parfitt), die ihm fast immer das gleiche kocht, weil er das will. Sonst sind sie still...
    Immer wenn der Sohn zum Besuch kommt, brummt der Alte: "wie geht es Dir, Fisk Junior", oder nur Fisk. Den Namen sagt er nicht. Dann spazieren sie, oder sitzen nur still herum...

    Jetzt hat sich der Vater einen Rollstuhl besorgt, so kann ihn der Sohn auch in die Stadt "fahren". Während der Fahrt hört man mürrisch den Alten, der zu allem etwas negatives zu sagen hat. Ihn stören die ersten Autos, "das ist nicht normal, das wird schlecht enden". Zu seinem Sohn sagt er keinen einzigen persönlichen Satz. Manchmal fragt er, ob der Burenkrieg schon zu Ende sei. Er meinte damit den Zweiten Buren Krieg (1899–1902). In dem Krieg starb sein anderer Sohn Harrington. Schnell nach seinem Tod starb auch seine Frau. Somit sind die beiden Männer die einzigen, die geblieben sind.
    "Wirs Du heiraten?" "Nein", antwortet der Junior, "Gut so", meint der Vater und schweigt.

    Bei eher zufälligen Fragen, wie er sich nach Harringtons Tod fühlt, antwortet der Vater in seinem Sinne - "was gehe da schon den jungen Fisk an, außerdem sei Harrington der, der gestorben ist, für IHN war das nicht gut..."
    Als sie eines Tages - weil sie jetzt mobil sind, zu einer Vorlesung über Reinkarnation gekommen sind, ist der Sohn angetan vom Thema, der Vater nur böse, dass man seine kostbare Zeit so stehlen kann.
    Am selben Tag trifft der Sohn den Dekan Spanley (Sam Neill), einen Mann der Kirche, der eine große Schwäche hat. Er liebt den Wein, den TOKAJER, und zwar NUR den kaiserlichen. Man bekommt ihn sehr schwer. Schon wieder hat der Vater etwas zu bemängeln, das sei ein Wein für "gewisse Frauen", dass ist ja ein Sirup, kein Männergetränk.

    Der junge Fisk will sich aber mit dem Dekan treffen, der Mann hat irgendwas, was ihn interessiert. Er macht sich wichtig und sagt ihm, er könne ihm den besten Tokajer mitbringen. Das hört der Dekan gerne, nur hat nun der "Junge" einen Problem. Zum Glück kennt er einen Geschäftsmann, J.J. Wrather (Bryan Brown), der alles besorgen kann.

    Aber, nun hat er am Donnerstag gleich zwei Verabredungen, zuerst die mit dem Vater, am Abend dann noch mit dem Dekan. Der befasst sich lange mit der AROMA des Weines, erst dann probiert er ihn. Und befindet ihn als sehr gut. DOCH, was ist mit dem Mann dann geschehen? Er spricht in Rätseln, er spricht über "seinen Herrn", über die Treue...Sein Besucher erkennt, dass der Dekan über einen HUND spricht, aber in der "ICH-Form". Dekan genehmigt sich nur zwei Gläschen, danach "kommt" er zu sich und wird wieder ein eher stiller Mensch.

    Die einzige Geschichte, die Fisk - Vater öfter von sich gibt, hat mit seinen Erinnerungen an seinen Hund "Wag" zu tun. Den Hund hatte er als kleiner Junge. Er erzählt auch das ohne Gefühle, bis er eines Tages - der Tokajer ist schon da - doch etwas Komisches sagt; "als der Hund verschwunden sei, war er totunglücklich". Er hat gelitten. ER, DER Vater!

    Der Tokajer, Vater und Sohn, der Dekan und Mr. Wrather treffen sich bei dem alten Fisk. Mrs. Brimley kocht exzellent, der Gespräch wird interessant. Es sind noch drei Flaschen von den königlichen Tokajer da...
    Der Dekan kostet, auch die Aroma ist die beste mögliche...und spricht.
    Horatio Frisk hört zu. Seine müden Augen, die sonst so zynisch in die Welt gucken, werden immer weicher, sein Blick neugieriger, dann sieht man auch die Tränen....Der Dekan, der Vater und eine Geschichte, die nur sie zwei kennen...

    Zu dem Film:
    eine nicht zu leichte Geschichte über die Menschen, die scheinbar NICHTS gemeinsames haben. Die ALLE von der Ereignissen aus der Vergangenheit gekennzeichnet sind. Eine Geschichte, die sie zusammenbringt, die etwas zeigt: es ist NIE zu spät. Man weiß eben nicht, ob das Leben doch noch einige Überraschungen parat hat. Auch jenseits des gewissen Alters, eben dann wenn man sich schon für die letzte Reise vorbereitet...
    Es kommt ETWAS, um die Welt heller zu machen, um noch einmal das Glück zu spüren. Es sind keine großen Sachen, das Glück findet man, wo man es nicht erwartet. Ein Mann kann nach Jahren weinen und lachen. Er kann wieder ein Junge sein, die Zeit, die er noch hat, wird er bewusst leben, verbringen, die Tage werden länger und kostbarer sein.

    Und es braucht nicht immer Donnerstag sein um seinen Vater zu besuchen - es kann auch Dienstag sein..., weil der Vater zu seinem Sohn nicht mehr Fisk sagt, er nennt ihn nach seinen Namen - Henslowe. Und wenn er das sagt, kann er über seinen anderen Sohn sprechen, über seine Frau (die Mutter) und über WAG.
    Das Leben ist ja so schön...was zwei Gläser Tokajer alles machen können....

    Das Team ist wunderbar, alle spielen wirklich mit dem Herz. Allen voran mein Peter O'Tolle! Wie ich ihn verehre, er WAR nie einer, der nur GROßE Rollen spielen wollte, obwohl er das könnte. Er brauchte sich nie zu beweisen. Auch Judy Parfitt (ich erinner NUR an eine Rolle - Vera Donovan in "DOLORES") ist eine Ausnahmekünstlerin. Jeremy Northam kennen wir gut aus vielen britischen Filmen, Sam Neill natürlich auch, bitte, sehen Sie sich die Filme an, wo ER gespielt hat...

    Es ist kein Film für die Hundeliebhaber, aber die werden ihn noch mehr genießen, besonder, wenn sie Welsh Spaniel mögen.
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  • Alex Baillie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Actors interesting story line.
    Reviewed in Australia on 20 October 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great Actors interesting story line.
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  • Teessa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dean Spanley - Something for Everyone: Man, Woman or Beast
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 September 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Dean Spanley is now my favorite film. Although I have not read the book upon which it was based (My Talks With Dean Spanley by Lord Dunsany), I can say that the movie stands on its own in its perfection.

    The interaction among the characters is lively, amusing, tender and satisfying. Peter O'Toole is Horatio Fisk, a widower who lives alone except for a housekeeper, is dutifully visited every Thursday by his obedient son, Henslowe Fisk ("Young Fisk" as his father calls him played by Jeremy Northam). The elder Mr. Fisk is thoroughly set in his ways and constantly dominates his son showing traits ranging from fussy, demanding, outspoken and irritating to amusing and charming.

    The subdued and put-upon Young Fisk takes his father to a lecture on reincarnation in an attempt to find amusement among several dull activity choices. They meet Mr. Wrather (Bryan Brown) who is a "conveyancer" who finds people whatever unusual item for which they are searching and Dean Spanley (Sam Neill), a member of the clergy of the Anglican Church. When taking holy orders, the name changed from his given name (Walter Arthur Graham) to Dean (a title). This subject comes up later in the film an interesting coincidence. (This information is from the film and I apologize that I can no better explain Anglican Church leader hierarchies or titles.)

    The father and son go to the gentleman's club for a drink where they again encounter Dean Spanley who is enjoying a glass of Tokay (a sweet Hungarian wine which is VERY DIFFICULT to acquire). Horatio intrudes upon the Dean's solitude with an introduction and questions then leaves abruptly. Henslowe apologizes for his father's impulsive behavior.

    Henslowe encounters Dean Spanley a third time on his way home when he sees the dean looking at a cat that run up a tree and invites the dean to dinner, interested in hearing more about his ideas on reincarnation. When the dean hesitates, Henslowe entices him by saying he has a bottle of Imperial Tokay.

    The dean chooses Thursday for the dinner, which changes the Fisks' regular routine. Henslowe is frustrated by his father's manipulation and reluctance to discuss the death of Henslowe's brother in the Boer War or the subsequent death of his mother from grief. Young Fisk was looking for some kind of change.

    After an unsuccessful search for the rare wine that he promised Dean Spanley, Henslowe calls upon his new acquaintance, Mr. Wrather, who just happens to have a bottle of the desired wine for a very high price. Wrather is a collector of just about anything that someone might pay for and willing to procure anything he doesn't have on hand.

    Although somewhat regretting his decision to invite the dean for dinner due to the high cost of the Tokay and his lessening interest in reincarnation, he and the dean eat dinner with somewhat awkward conversation - until the Tokay is presented. Dean Spanley enjoys the aroma of the wine and wishes that at times like this, "one could possess the olfactory senses of the canine." After drinking Tokay, the dean becomes animated and chatty but the subject matter is confusing to Henslowe. It appears that the dean recalls a previous life as a dog while under the influence of Tokay.

    Anyone who has every had a dog for a companion will be caught up in all the descriptions of canine thought and behavior from a human who might have been a dog in a previous life. The philosophy should not offend anyone's belief system. It does set up a remarkable way of storytelling and bringing the characters into a peculiar, fascinating interaction.

    Without giving away any of the surprises and coincidences that follow, I can say that the story continues to be at times hilarious, at times delightfully sentimental. If you like dogs, you cannot miss seeing this!!!

    If you are interested in the interactions of new friends from such different backgrounds that they never would have met except by chance and interested in how a distant father-son relationship can evolve, you will enjoy Dean Spanley.

    Speaking from personal experience: if you have ever had a parent that you dearly loved but whose annoying traits such as talking out loud when everyone else is quiet or bringing up embarrassing topics around strangers despite repeated "shushing", you will feel a special admiration for Peter O'Toole's portrayal.

    There is no down side to this film except that it shouldn't ever end. Please take a chance on this quirky, humorous, heart-warming, wonderful film. Peter O'Toole can't be topped, Bryan Brown is amazing with his perfect comedic timing and Jeremy Northam has never been better. Sam Neill is tremendous - convincing as dean or dog!!
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