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The Deal Poster
United Kingdom
6.8 1h 30m

The Deal

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.

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Top Cast

  • David Morrissey

    David Morrissey

    Gordon Brown

  • Matt Blair

    Matt Blair

    Ed Balls

  • Michael Sheen

    Michael Sheen

    Tony Blair

  • Dexter Fletcher

    Dexter Fletcher

    Charlie Whelan

  • Frank Kelly

    Frank Kelly

    John Smith

  • Stuart McQuarrie

    Stuart McQuarrie

    Scottish MP 1

  • Ian Hanmore

    Ian Hanmore

    Scottish MP 2

  • Paul Rhys

    Paul Rhys

    Peter Mandelson

  • Stuart Bowman

    Stuart Bowman

    Journalist 1

Overview

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.

Rating

6.8 / 10
27 Reviews
1 Popular

1 Reviews

  • r96sk
    r96sk
    7 Mar 29, 2025

    'The Deal' 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.

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