Middle Age Spread
Suitable for mature audiences 1979 Film
- Adaptation
- Comedy
- Drama
- Romance
Adapted from Roger Hall's play, this acclaimed 1979 movie is viewable in full on NZ On Screen. A rare Kiwi theatre hit that became a film, Middle Age Spread asks whether adultery is inevitable (and whether it can stay secret). "Antipodean Woody Allen"(said Variety) Grant Tilly plays a stressed deputy headmaster whose affair is revealed at a memorably horrifying dinner party. Shot on 16mm film in 22 days, this was the first feature for many rising talents — including Tilly, director John Reid (who played Robert, when the play first debuted), and cinematographer Alun Bollinger. It was the first Kiwi movie to screen on the BBC.
Key Cast & Crew
DA
Donna Akersten
As: Judy
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Related images
Grant Tilly in his starring role as Colin, in 1979 movie Middle Age Spread. He first played Colin onstage at Wellington's Circa Theatre.
Kindly provided by Grant Tilly
From left, Isobel (Bridget Armstrong), Colin (Grant Tilly) and his wife Elizabeth (Dorothy McKegg) in the dinner party sequence from 1979 movie Middle Age Spread.
Kindly provided by Grant Tilly
Grant and Fay Tilly at a cast and crew screening of Middle Age Spread in mid 1979. It was held at Wellington's Lido Cinema, which was then located on Willis St.
Kindly supplied by The Dominion Post
A scene from Middle Age Spread. Elizabeth (right, Dorothy McKegg) is giving a dinner party. Her guests include Isobel (centre, Bridget Armstrong), a cottage craft enthusiast, and Judy (Donna Akersten), who has recently had an affair with Elizabeth's husband.
Kindly supplied by The Dominion Post
Australian actor Peter Sumner as the cynical Reg in Middle Age Spread.
Kindly supplied by the Dominion Post.
