Adapted from Roger Hall's play, this acclaimed 1979 movie is viewable in full on NZ On Screen. A rare Kiwi theatre hit that became a film, Middle Age Spread asks whether adultery is inevitable (and whether it can stay secret). "Antipodean Woody Allen"(said Variety) Grant Tilly plays a stressed deputy headmaster whose affair is revealed at a memorably horrifying dinner party. Shot on 16mm film in 22 days, this was the first feature for many rising talents — including Tilly, director John Reid (who played Robert, when the play first debuted), and cinematographer Alun Bollinger. It was the first Kiwi movie to screen on the BBC.
Well here's to a night of wit and reason.– Colin (Grant Tilly) on the evening things come unstuck
Endeavour Productions
Endeavour Ventures
Made with thanks to South Pacific Merchant Finance Ltd, the NZ Film Commission, and South Pacific Television
Presented on NZ On Screen with thanks to the Aotearoa/New Zealand Film Heritage Trust – Te Puna Ataata
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