Spud (2010)

It's South Africa 1990. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela and, more importantly, it's Spud Milton's first year at an elite boys only private boarding school.

Director:

Donovan Marsh

Writers:

Donovan Marsh (screenplay), John Van De Ruit (novel)

Stars:

John Cleese, Troye Sivan, Jamie Royal

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cleese	...	The Guv - Mr. Edly
Troye Sivan	...	John 'Spud' Milton
Jamie Royal	...	Henry 'Gecko' Barker
Sven Ruygrok	...	Rambo
Blessing Yaba	...	Fatty
Tom Burne	...	Vern 'Rain Main' Blackadder (as Thomas Burne)
Josh Goddard	...	Charlie 'Mad Dog' Hooper
Travis Hornsby	...	Boggo
Byron Langley	...	Simon Brown
Jason Cope	...	Sparerib - Mr. Wilson
Genna Blair	...	Mermaid - Debbie
Charlbi Dean Kriek	...	Amanda (as Charlbi Kriek)
Julie Summers	...	Mom
Aaron McIlroy	...	Dad
Tanit Phoenix	...	Eve - Mrs. Wilson

Storyline

It's South Africa 1990. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela and, more importantly, it's Spud Milton's first year at an elite boys only private boarding school. John Milton is a boy from an ordinary background who wins a scholarship to a private school in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Surrounded by boys with nicknames like Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud has his hands full trying to adapt to his new home. Along the way Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path to manhood. (The path it seems could be a rather long road). Spud is an only child. He is cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe and a senile granny. His dad is a fervent anti-communist who is paranoid that the family domestic worker is running a shebeen from her room at the back of the family home. His mom is a free spirit and a teenager's worst nightmare, whether it's shopping for Spud's underwear in the local supermarket, or sneaking food into her handbag at ...

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Plot Keywords:

school | south africa | friendship | private school | school play | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 2010 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

Spud Milton: Med ørerne i maskinen

Filming Locations:

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rogue Star Films, BLM Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (35 mm version)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jamie Royal (Gecko) contracted Measles during the filming of Spud. Luckily it was at the end of filming, when the night swimming scenes were shot and his measles are not visible to the viewer.

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Quotes

Mom: He sings like and angel. Aren't you my china plate?
[pinches Spud's cheek]

User Reviews

Fair Effort - but non South African audiences might not enjoy

Having enjoyed the book and grown up around that time I was anxious to see how the movie turned out. Many nostalgic memories were aroused during the movie. I thought it was well made and true to the book - a good mix of humour and the serious business of growing up. The acting was good (Cleese was brilliant - exactly how I pictured the guv) and the scenery was great - I love the Natal Midlands.

The crazy eight could have been better developed. I wanted to see more of Mad Dog and Vern.

Sadly I don't think it is going to appeal to a wider audience outside South Africa. I imagine that most guys from the US just wont get it or appreciate it as they will not be familiar with the historical context of the time. I hope I am wrong because it is a good movie.