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The Deal (2003)

6.7 | Sep 28, 2003 (US) | Comedy, Drama, Romance, Thriller, TV Movie | 01:30

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.

Featured Crew

Director
Writer, Associate Producer
Production Design
Casting
Original Music Composer
Director of Photography
Art Direction
Producer
Focus Puller
ADR Mixer

Cast

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David Morrissey
Gordon Brown
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Matt Blair
Ed Balls
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Michael Sheen
Tony Blair
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Dexter Fletcher
Charlie Whelan
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Frank Kelly
John Smith
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Stuart McQuarrie
Scottish MP 1
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Ian Hanmore
Scottish MP 2
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Paul Rhys
Peter Mandelson
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Stuart Bowman
Journalist 1
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Gordon Kennedy
John Brown

Reviews

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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.