Dean Spanley

This offbeat father and son tale was written by Scotsman Alan Sharp, and was mostly filmed in England by a Fijian-British Kiwi. Lawrence of Arabia legend Peter O'Toole plays a stiff upper lip Englishman whose frosty relationship with his son warms after hearing an extraordinary tale of reincarnation from Reverend Dean Spanley (Sam Neill). Based on an Edward Plunkett novella, Toa Fraser's second feature won praise for its cast, and mix of comedy and poignancy, "intertwined to the last" (The Age). It spent six weeks in the Kiwi top 20, and won a host of Qantas Awards. GQ magazine rated it their film of the year.

Toa Fraser's sensitive direction of this deceptively challenging and surprisingly satisfying film, keeps the tone perfectly balanced in the manner of perhaps an eccentric English tale with dashes of humour and pathos. The film's beautiful images are adorned with an economical score and marvellous production design.

– Reviewer Andrew Urban on website Urban Cinefile, February 2009

Key Cast & Crew

Toa Fraser

Director

Alan Sharp

Writer, Executive Producer

Sam Neill

As: Dean Spanley

Peter O'Toole

As: Fisk Senior

Alan Harris

Producer

Matthew Metcalfe

Producer