Spud

**Spud** is a 2009 South African film directed by Donovan Marsh, based on the novel of the same name by John van de Ruit. The film stars Troye Sivan as the title character. It was released in South Africa on 3 December 2010.

## Synopsis

“Spud”, the groundbreaking bestselling novel by John van de Ruit, is now a feature film. South Africa’s record-breaking novel is a coming-of-age comedy following a young boy through his year at a private boarding school, and set against the backdrop of a country coming of age. The 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 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). Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal night swimming to the red-hot furnace of 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.

## Plot

The film takes place in South Africa around the time of Nelson Mandela's release from jail. It chronicles 14-year-old John Milton's (Troye Sivan) first year at an elite boarding school for boys.

When John arrives for the first time at the school, he gets nicknamed "Spud" by the other boys because he was yet to experience puberty. All eight boys in his dormitory get nicknames. They are also called the "Crazy Eight". Spud finds it difficult to make friends and fit in. He befriends Mr Edly, a teacher nicknamed "The Guv", after he is the only one in the English class to pass an exam. The Guv frequently lends English literature books to Spud and invites him to lunch regularly. But Spud soon realises that Edly has marital problems, and is an alcoholic.

While back at home for the holidays, Spud falls in love with Debbie, the daughter of one of his mother's friends, whom he nicknames "The Mermaid." When Spud returns to the school, he sees a flyer for the school play Oliver Twist. Spud decides to audition so he can fit in. He ends up landing the lead role of Oliver. During practice, Spud meets Amanda, a girl from the nearby school St. Catherine's, and immediately falls for her. But he soon realises that she has a boyfriend already, and he cannot form a relationship with her without cheating on Debbie, whom he still loves. He seeks the advice of his roommate Gecko, who tells Spud to pretend he loves another girl named Christine, in order make Amanda jealous.

Spud and Gecko begin to build a strong friendship and they occasionally visit a rock at the top of the hill near the school. In the fourth term, Gecko is diagnosed with cerebral malaria that he got during his holiday to Mozambique. A few days later he passes away. Spud mourns the death of Gecko and the whole school attends his funeral service in the school's chapel.

In the end, Spud performs in the school's play and gets a standing ovation. After the performance, he is dragged away from the post-performance celebration by Amanda, and they go to a nearby field. There, she tells him to kiss her. Spud, however, stops at the last moment and rejects her, deciding to stay true to Debbie. He offers to give Debbie a tour of the school, and kisses her in the middle of the quadrangle, which his dorm-mates witness from their window. After he returns, he is praised by the group, and finally fits in. The film ends with Spud, on the final day of the year, sitting on the same rock he and Gecko used to frequent overlooking the school, and remarking that "God gives us choices. But sometimes, God gives us no choice. He deals us the cards, and we play them."

## Cast

* Troye Sivan as John "Spud" Milton
* John Cleese as Mr "The Guv" Edly, an alcoholic English teacher
* Tanit Phoenix as Mrs. "Eve" Wilson
* Jeremy Crutchley as Mr Glockenshpeel ("The Glock")
* Jamie Royal as Henry "Gecko" Barker
* Sven Ruygrok as Robert 'Rambo' Black
* Josh Goddard as Charlie 'Mad Dog' Hooper
* Thomas Burne as Vern "Rain Man" Blackadder
* Byron Langley as Simon Brown
* Travis Hornsby as Alan "Boggo" Greenstein
* Blessing Xaba as Sidney "Fatty" Sibeko-Scott
* Aaron McIlroy as Mr Milton, Spud's father
* Julie Summers as Ms Milton, Spud's mother
* Genna Blair as Debbie "The Mermaid"
* Jason Cope as Mr "Sparerib" Wilson, Eve's husband
* Charlbi Dean Kriek as Amanda
* Alex McGregor as Christine
* Graham Weir as Mr 'Viking' Richardson
* Siobhan Hodgson as Mrs Roberts
* Ryan Mayne as Julian
* James Murray as Bert
* Darren Frances as Pike
* Ricky Cruz as Devries
* Sylvaine Strike as San Sister
* Lehasa Moloi as P.J. Luthuli, head boy of Michaelhouse
* Brenda Ngxoli as Innocence, the Miltons' house maid
* Terry Norton as The Guv’s wife
* Christine le Brocq as Mrs "Wombat" Milton, Spud's grandmother
* Ben Voss as Mr. Lily
* Patrick Kenny as Reverend Bishop
* Shaeleen Tobin as Marge, The Mermaid's mother
* Liam Magner as "Hairy Gavin"
* John van de Ruit as Mr Lennox
* Laura Santoni as the Librarian

## Production information

* Director: Donovan Marsh
* Producers: Ross Garland & Brad Logan

## Soundtrack

*Main article: Spud (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)*