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Gross Misconduct: The Life of Brian Spencer

  • TV Movie
  • 19931993
  • RR
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
281
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Gross Misconduct: The Life of Brian Spencer (1993)
  • Drama
  • Sport
A look into the life of troubled former hockey player Brian Spencer, who got into problems both on the ice and off because of his temper. The film also has a close focus on Spencer's father,... Read allA look into the life of troubled former hockey player Brian Spencer, who got into problems both on the ice and off because of his temper. The film also has a close focus on Spencer's father, and shows how he influenced Brian's life both before and after his death.A look into the life of troubled former hockey player Brian Spencer, who got into problems both on the ice and off because of his temper. The film also has a close focus on Spencer's father, and shows how he influenced Brian's life both before and after his death.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
281
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Atom Egoyan
  • Writers
    • Paul Gross
    • Martin O'Malley(novel)
  • Stars
    • Daniel Kash
    • Peter MacNeill
    • Linda Goranson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Atom Egoyan
  • Writers
    • Paul Gross
    • Martin O'Malley(novel)
  • Stars
    • Daniel Kash
    • Peter MacNeill
    • Linda Goranson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Daniel Kash
    Daniel Kash
    • Brian 'Spinner' Spenceras Brian 'Spinner' Spencer
    Peter MacNeill
    Peter MacNeill
    • Roy Spenceras Roy Spencer
    Linda Goranson
    Linda Goranson
    • Irene Spenceras Irene Spencer
    Doug Hughes
    • Byron Spenceras Byron Spencer
    Lenore Zann
    Lenore Zann
    • Diane Delanaas Diane Delana
    Shawn Ashmore
    Shawn Ashmore
    • Young Brian 'Spinner' Spenceras Young Brian 'Spinner' Spencer
    Aaron Ashmore
    Aaron Ashmore
    • Young Byron Spenceras Young Byron Spencer
    Kirsten Kieferle
    Kirsten Kieferle
    • Linda Spenceras Linda Spencer
    Shannon Lawson
    Shannon Lawson
    • Janet Spenceras Janet Spencer
    Kevin Hicks
    • Richard Greenas Richard Green
    Eugene Clark
    Eugene Clark
    • Lenn Wrightas Lenn Wright
    Ken McDougall
    Ken McDougall
    • Michael Dalfoas Michael Dalfo
    Elizabeth Goodyear
    • Monica Jarobeas Monica Jarobe
    David Storch
    David Storch
    • Keonas Keon
    David Hemblen
    David Hemblen
    • Munroas Munro
    Michael Rhodes
    • Rick Martinas Rick Martin
    Thomas Hauff
    Thomas Hauff
    • Pat's Coachas Pat's Coach
    David McKay
    • Asst. Coachas Asst. Coach
    • Director
      • Atom Egoyan
    • Writers
      • Paul Gross
      • Martin O'Malley(novel)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Brian's first career goal was indeed vs Detroit. Spencer scored late in the third period of a 13-0 drubbing of the Red Wings on January 2, 1971, less than one month following the tragic death of his father Roy.
    • Goofs
      A 1970 bar scene had a cover band singing the song "Smoking in the Boys' Room". The song was first released in 1974 by Brownsville Station.
    • Quotes

      Roy Spencer: You can live here, and be buried here. Or you can play hockey.

    • Connections
      Features Hockey Night in Canada (1952)

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    What Goes Up Must Come Down
    This is a haunting yarn about the real life misadventures of NHL hockey player Brian "Spinner" Spencer. Life in major league hockey is pretty heady stuff, but it is far different than the 'real' world. Whenever a player, particularly a great one, leaves the "Bigs" and has to cope in reality again, it can be a rude awakening.

    In this story, Spencer's father is shown on a parallel track bound for hellishness. Along the way, there are a lot of thrills, spills, chills and yes....even pills. In the end, Spencer's life seems to have been vanity and chasing the wind.

    Screenwriter Paul Gross took a good portion of the original novel and molded it into a fascinating bio-dramatic examination of Spencer. I think Atom Egoyan did a fabulous job as director. Loved seeing hockey personalities like Davey Keon, John McLellan and Greg Polis dramatized.

    The 1960s Hockey Night In Canada opening (complete with that wonderful theme) is the best highlight of the film for me, with the haunting voices of Billy Hewitt, Ward Cornell, Red Storey and intertwining vintage HNIC clips coming in a close second. Seeing the Tommy Hunter clip brought back memories, too. Tommy's goodbye always filled me with anticipation of the coming game, much as it must have for Spencer's father.

    This isn't the best hockey movie ever made, but its the most gripping bio-drama made about a hockey player. If it ever comes out on video, I recommend renting it.
    helpful•7
    0
    • animal_8_5
    • Apr 18, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 28, 1993 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Les cendres de la gloire
    • Filming locations
      • Canada
    • Production company
      • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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