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What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

Dean Spanley (2008): Cast, Box Office & Plot

Dean Spanley (2008) movie poster

Dean Spanley is a 2008 comedy drama directed by Toa Fraser, starring Sam Neill as Dean Spanley, Peter O'Toole and Jeremy Northam. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide.

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Dean Spanley (2008) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Toa Fraser
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dean Spanley About?

The premise of Dean Spanley without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set in Edwardian England, a time of stiff propriety and suspicion toward colonial newcomers, the distant Fisk Senior has little patience or affection for his son. When they visit an eccentric Indian mystic, the meeting sparks an odd adventure that ultimately softens the older man's heart and reconnects him with his family.

Dean Spanley Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • pet owner relationship
  • old man
  • briton
  • character name as title
  • two word title
  • year 1904
  • college dean
  • dead son
  • weekly event
  • widower
  • pet dog
  • soul transmigration
+38 more
  • horse soldier
  • boer war veteran
  • widowed woman
  • horseless carriage
  • london england
  • ironing
  • dozing off
  • flashback
  • dinner with colleague
  • welsh springer spaniel
  • terrier dog
  • sense of smell
  • importer
  • cat lover
  • belief in reincarnation
  • nickname
  • hot pot
  • milk cart
  • formal dinner
  • chasing an animal
  • dog chasing cat
  • fear
  • killing a rabbit
  • shushing someone
  • race to the moon
  • dog howling at the moon
  • punishment
  • sheepherder
  • shot and killed
  • grieving father
  • father son hug
  • adopting a dog
  • covered in snow
  • observational comedy
  • period drama
  • year 1902
  • dog sniffing other dog
  • scent
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Cast & crew

Dean Spanley Cast & Characters

Sam Neill leads the cast as Dean Spanley, with Peter O'Toole as Fisk Senior and Jeremy Northam as Fisk Junior / Narrator (voice). Directed by Toa Fraser; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dean Spanley

· 3 more
From the director

More from Toa Fraser

More films directed by Toa Fraser, best-rated first: The Dead Lands, 6 Days, The Free Man and Giselle.

Full filmography
Plot

Dean Spanley Plot Summary

What happens in Dean Spanley from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film presents a surreal and comedic narrative set in the early 1900s, encapsulating themes of canine reincarnation while exploring the intricate dynamics of father-son and master-dog relationships. As noted by the distinguished Peter O’Toole, the film’s unique blend of comedy and poignant familial themes resonates deeply, reflecting the universal struggles many face in their relationships with parents: > “All of us have had these difficult familial relationships and I think it’s a film for all of us who understand the relationship between a father and son.”

Full summary

The whole story of Dean Spanley, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Dean Spanley Box Office

Dean Spanley grossed $1.5 million worldwide.

2008 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5M

International
$1.5M
Videos

Dean Spanley Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dean Spanley.

Dean Spanley trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dean Spanley?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which period is Dean Spanley set?

Cars

Cars in Dean Spanley

3 cars on screen, including the 1904 Wolseley 6 hp and the 1903 Cadillac.

  • 1904 Wolseley 6 hp in Dean Spanley 1904 Wolseley 6 hp Main role
  • 1903 Cadillac in Dean Spanley 1903 Cadillac Background role
  • unknown in Dean Spanley unknown Background role
Details

Dean Spanley Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “My Talks with Dean Spanley” and “Декан Спэнли”.

Also known as
  • My Talks with Dean Spanley
  • Декан Спэнли
  • דין שפנלי
  • Út a szívhez
  • Dynas Spenlis
  • 迪恩·斯潘雷
  • Dekan Spanley
  • 딘 스팬리

Seen Dean Spanley?

FAQ

Dean Spanley FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Dean Spanley, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dean Spanley?

Dean Spanley runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Dean Spanley released?

Dean Spanley was released on December 12, 2008.

Who directed Dean Spanley?

Dean Spanley was directed by Toa Fraser.

More films by Toa Fraser

Who is in the cast of Dean Spanley?

Dean Spanley stars Sam Neill as Dean Spanley, Peter O'Toole as Fisk Senior and Jeremy Northam as Fisk Junior / Narrator (voice), among 7 credited actors.

How much did Dean Spanley make at the box office?

Dean Spanley grossed $1.5 million worldwide.

Does Dean Spanley have a post-credit scene?

No. Dean Spanley has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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