RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Dean Spanley
Dean Spanley

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Showtimes & Tickets
  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Dean Spanley (2008)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
85 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:26

Fresh:22

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.5/10

Consensus: Offbeat, whimsical, period-set shaggy dog story with daffy performances from Sam Neill and Peter O’Toole.

Rated: U

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:12-12-2008

Starring: Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill, Jeremy Northam, Brian Brown

Starring: Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill, Jeremy Northam, Brian Brown, Dudley Sutton, Judy Parfitt

Director: Toa Fraser

Director: Toa Fraser
Producer: Alan Harris, Matthew Metcalfe
Composer: Don McGlashan

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 2 of 2

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Dean Spanley

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The word offbeat doesnt quite cover it and its a touchslow to begin with but, really, if you dont fancy having your soul crushed byKeanu and co, do check this one out. Funny, warm and sensitive,its got gem written all over it.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
12/12/08
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

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.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/12/08
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This nicely acted drama, in quietly intimating the quirky familial relations and peculiar fascinations of the era – not least with the transmigration of souls, mysticism and the supernatural – delivers a highly pleasurable if modest experience.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
12/12/08
Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A charming, unique film, well crafted and boasting some great performances, notably from the spry Peter O'Toole.

Full Review Source: Film4 | comment Comment
12/12/08
Daniel Etherington
Daniel Etherington
Film4
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I can’t see too many children taking advantage of the U certificate. The measured performances look stiff and theatrical. A stifling fable with the rhythm of a grandfather clock.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
12/12/08
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is a charming and eccentric little family comedy for the older generation. It's like a Werther's Original sweet that's for grandpa only.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
12/12/08
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Dean Spanley, adapted from a shaggy-dog tale by Lord Dunsany, is a decidedly odd business, a rummage in mothballed obscurantism for its own sake.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
12/12/08
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Mail [UK]

While Neill gives a masterclass in subtle eccentricity and Northam and Brown happily play second string, the theatricals are wisely left to legendary virtuoso O’Toole.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
12/12/08
Elliott Noble
Elliott Noble
Sky Movies

A redemptive arc leashes the threads together, hinged on insights into familial repression that are a tad too costumedrama-stifled for their own good.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
12/12/08
Andy Lowe
Andy Lowe
Total Film

I don't know of any film quite like Dean Spanley, and I mean that as a compliment. It will stay with me long after 99 per cent of this year's films have been forgotten.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
12/12/08
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

Fisk’s cantankerous father, played with biting wit by Peter O’Toole, is sceptical about reincarnation. Many will be tempted to agree with him, but for The Sneak this is a wonderful shaggy dog story.

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment Comment
12/12/08
Sun Online

In Dean Spanley Peter O’Toole, luminous of eye and loopy of intonation, acts as if he should be locked up. You have to admire the cut of his lunacy. He brings what little style there is to this winsome tale adapted from Lord Dunsany.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
12/12/08
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

The only drawback to its fey shaggy-dog story is the ponderous pace. But Northam and Neill are both on good form.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
12/12/08
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

This is really a shaggy dog story that takes too long to start barking. But when it does, it works a treat. It’s amazing how much you can forgive if the last part of a movie is right, and this one covers itself in something like glory in the nick of time.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
12/12/08
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
This is London

Hugely enjoyable comedy-drama with a delightfully witty, off-the-wall script and a terrific performance from Sam Neill.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
12/12/08
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Elegantly played, wittily delivered, lost at Christmas.

Full Review Source: Teletext | comment Comment
12/11/08
Victor Olliver
Victor Olliver
Teletext

A delightful period piece about reincarnation, friendship and dogs with a wonderful collection of performances from its four main characters.

Full Review Source: Screenwize | comment Comment
03/20/09
Simon Weaving
Simon Weaving
Screenwize

I loved it.

Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment Comment
03/06/09
Julie Rigg
Julie Rigg
MovieTime, ABC Radio National

Truly original and very moving, with a hypnotic and elliptical quality all its own.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
03/06/09
Mark Demetrius
Mark Demetrius
FILMINK (Australia)

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.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
03/06/09
Philippa Hawker
Philippa Hawker
The Age (Australia)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Dean Spanley

January 29, 2008: Exclusive: RT Visits the Set of Dean Spanley
We take a trip to Holkam Hall in Norfolk, England to talk the transmigration of souls with Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill. More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

arrow arrow Show more Show less

93% 93% Crazy Heart 19/2
70% 70% The Last Station 19/2
61% 61% The Headless Woman 19/2
60% 60% Solomon Kane 19/2
36% 36% The Lovely Bones 19/2
— A Closed Book 19/2
— The Unloved 19/2

What’s Hot On RT

Oscar Nominations

Oscar Nominations

The Academy have chosen their contenders.

Anika Noni Rose

Anika Noni Rose

Disney's new princess picks her 5 Fave Films.

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges

The Crazy Heart star's best roles, ranked.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton gives RT an exclusive peek.

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Tom Cruise Accepts Another Mission: Impossible Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
34
  • Chris Nolan on Board for Dark Knight Sequel -- and Superman Reboot? Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
258
  • Tim Robbins Joins Green Lantern Source: Hollywood Reporter
58
  • Fox Moves Forward with 24 Movie Source: HitFix
8
  • Bill Murray Talks Ghostbusters III Source: Sunday Mail [UK]
56
  • Captain America News, News, and More News Source: Collider.com
20
  • Taylor Lautner Is Stretch Armstrong Source: MTV
78
  • Weekly Ketchup: Sci-Fi at the Oscars, Raimi eyes The Shadow
288
  • Percy Jackson Star (Briefly) Rumored for Spider-Man Reboot Source: Hollywood Reporter
35
  • Five Facts About Alice in Wonderland
140
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: Jeff Bridges' Best Movies
114
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Finally Toppled by Dear John
104
  • Weekly Ketchup: Sci-Fi at the Oscars, Raimi eyes The Shadow
96
  • Five Favorite Films With Precious' Gabby Sidibe
35
  • Friday Harvest: The Last Airbender, The A-Team, and more!
27
  • Critics Consensus: From Paris With Love Is Not Bon
22
  • Total Recall: Anthony Hopkins' Best Movies
19
  • Five Favourite Films with Anika Noni Rose
17
  • Awards Tour: Pixar and Disney Rule The Annies
15
  • Great Directors: Martin Scorsese's Career in Film
0
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Oscar Nominee Gabby Sidibe Talks Precious
20
  • One Man's Quest To Find The Worst Movie Ever
7
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
77
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
22
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
3
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
13
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
24
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
16
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Dean Spanley at Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh Links

Featured
RT on YouTube
RT on YouTube External Link

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

RT on Twitter
RT on Twitter External Link

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.

Competitions
Get the Flixster App Now
Get the Flixster App Now External Link

Download it from iTunes and get Tomatometer scores straight to your iPhone.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo
About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2010, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.