It is approaching an election in the UK when the leader of the Labour party, John Smith, suffers another in a line of heart attacks and dies. With the leadership campaign about to start the clear choice appears to be Gordon Brown, a stanch Scotsman. However Tony Blair is also beginning to appear more likely as he will appeal to Southern voters who would be turned off by Brown. Blair rings Brown to arrange a meeting to discuss which will go for the job. The film flashbacks to the start of their relationship, sharing an office in Westminster on their first seats.
David Morrissey
Gordon Brown
Matt Blair
Ed Balls
Michael Sheen
Tony Blair
Dexter Fletcher
Charlie Whelan
Frank Kelly
John Smith
Stuart McQuarrie
Scottish MP 1
Ian Hanmore
Scottish MP 2
Paul Rhys
Peter Mandelson
Stuart Bowman
Journalist 1
Gordon Kennedy
John Brown
Elizabeth Berrington
Cherie Blair
David Nicholls
Production Asst
Joanna Scanlan
Sue Nye
Jon Snow
Himself
Director
Stephen Frears
Writer
Peter Morgan
March 29, 2025
7
<em>'The Deal'</em> is a pretty good television movie, one that details British politics involving Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in the 80s and 90s. The best feature of it is the performances of David Morrissey (Brown) and Michael Sheen (Blair), both of whom are certainly excellent.
It does come across as a bit too chummy and re-enactment-y at times, as in some scenes are clearly the work of hearsay and rumour (albeit likely true). I don't necessarily mean that as a criticism, though. Overall, it is a well written film, I definitely enjoyed watching the thing; it's short as well.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00