Spencer Leigh

Acting

Spencer Leigh

Born January 1, 1963 · Liverpool, England (age 63)

Born in Liverpool, Spencer Leigh is an actor who first came to prominence in the 1980s as Icky Higson in the Willy Russell series One Summer. Face Magazine called him one of the Brit Pack actors, alongside the likes of Tim Roth, Colin Firth and Gary Oldman, tipping him for international fame. However Leigh favoured arthouse overall, and worked almost exclusively with Derek Jarman in a series of th…

Known For

HitchcockHitchcock · 2012
Hitchcock
★ 6.62012
MovieDrama
Following his great success with "North by Northwest," director Alfred Hitchcock makes a daring choice for his next project: an adaptation of Robert Bloch's novel "Psycho." When the studio refuses to back the picture, Hitchcock decides to pay for it himself in exchange for a percentage of the profits. His wife, Alma Reville, has serious reservations about the film but supports him nonetheless. Still, the production strains the couple's marriage.
Prick Up Your EarsPrick Up Your Ears · 1987
Prick Up Your Ears
★ 6.71987
MovieDrama
When the young, attractive Joe Orton meets the older, more introverted Kenneth Halliwell at drama school, he befriends the kindred spirit and they start an affair. As Orton becomes more comfortable with his sexuality and starts to find success with his writing, Halliwell becomes increasingly alienated and jealous, ultimately tapping into a dangerous rage.
CaravaggioCaravaggio · 1986
Caravaggio
★ 6.11986
MovieDramaHistory
A retelling of the life of the celebrated 17th-century Baroque painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio through his brilliant, nearly blasphemous paintings and his flirtations with the underworld.
War RequiemWar Requiem · 1989
War Requiem
★ 6.31989
MovieWarDrama
During World War I, British soldier Owen is mortified by the examples of cruelty that surround him in the trenches. He combats these terrifying images by maintaining hope in his love for an army nurse. But he also begins to accept his fate as another battlefield sacrifice.
The Last of EnglandThe Last of England · 1987
The Last of England
★ 6.11987
MovieDrama
The artist's personal commentary on the decline of his country in a language closer to poetry than prose. A dark meditation on London under Thatcher.
The GardenThe Garden · 1990
The Garden
★ 5.71990
MovieDrama
A nearly wordless visual narrative intercuts two main stories and a couple of minor ones. A woman, perhaps the Madonna, brings forth her baby to a crowd of intrusive paparazzi; she tries to flee them. Two men who are lovers marry and are arrested by the powers that be. The men are mocked and pilloried, tarred, feathered, and beaten. Loose in this contemporary world of electrical-power transmission lines is also Jesus. The elements, particularly fire and water, content with political power, which is intolerant and murderous.
AriaAria · 1987
Aria
★ 5.41987
MovieMusicComedy
Ten short pieces directed by ten different directors, including Ken Russell, Jean-Luc Godard, Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, and Nicolas Roeg. Each short uses an aria as soundtrack/sound, and is an interpretation of the particular aria.
Young ToscaniniYoung Toscanini · 1988
Young Toscanini
★ 6.71988
MovieDramaHistory
A fanciful biopic of legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini as a very young man.

Filmography

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Depuis le JourDepuis le Jour · 1987
Depuis le Jour
1987
MovieMusicRomance
Derek Jarman's interpretation of the aria 'Depuis le jour' from the final act of Gustave Charpentier's opera Louise (1900) features Aimée Delamain as an aging opera singer taking her final bow and recalling a love affair from her youth. As the aria goes: 'Et je tremble délicieusement au souvenir charmant du premier jour d'amour! (And I tremble deliciously at the delightful memory of the first day of love!)' – Her reveries feature Tilda Swinton and Spencer Leigh wandering around the topiaries of Swinton's family garden and at various seaside locations. The film was made for Aria (1987), the portmanteau project of producer Don Boyd who invited ten directors to create short films set to operatic arias of their choice. The particular performance used in Depuis le jour is by esteemed African-American soprano Leontyne Price.