Spud (DVD)

As proof that "local can be lekker," this production is a true credit - by any standards - to the South African movie industry! Set in the 1990s in and around Natal's prestigeous Michaelhouse College, the meaning of the strange title is revealed to us early on, being the nickname given to schoolboy John Milton (Troye Sivan) on his first arriving at the school's boarding house - where everybody has a nickname.

John Cleese, in a truly Oscar-worthy performance, plays an alcoholic English teacher, Mr Edly, nicknamed "The Guv." Romantic interest is supplied at several levels; predominantly by the very pretty Debbie (Genna Blair), a.k.a. "The Mermaid, who melts Spud's heart at a very tender age.

While endeavouring to become a member of "The Crazy Eight" in the boarding establishment, Spud reveals an incredible singing voice. (Yes, it is Troye Sivan's own voice, and he has been singing professionally since he was nine.)

For the rest, it's life and high jinks in a school boarding house, with which any scholar who has ever attended an all-boys' school will be completely familiar. Yet at the same time: insofar as possible, it avoids cliches.

All in all, its a very good picture with high production standards; great casting, and a most entertaining story.

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 school.

Cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile granny, and a dormitory full of strange characters, Spud has his hands full trying to adapt to his new home. Surrounded by names such as Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path towards manhood. Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal night swimming to the cricket pitch, from ghost-busting to a catastrophic family vacation.

He also invites us into the mind of a boy struggling to come to terms with a strange new world; a boy whose eyes are being opened to love, friendship and complete insanity.

General

Studio:	Rogue Star
Country of origin:	South Africa
Release date:	March 2011
Actors:	John Cleese • Troye Sivan
Dimensions:	192 x 137 x 15mm (L x W x T)
Format:
Running time:	1 hour, 42 minutes
Region encoding:	Region 2. This DVD will play in all South African DVD players.
Audio format:	Dolby Digital 5.0
Video format:	Widescreen 16:9 (1.78:1)
Age restriction:	10 PGLD
Categories:	DVD > Comedy DVD > Feature Film
LSN:	X65-7FP-4FH-6
Barcode:	6003805134462

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

• 2.0

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!