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Sleeping Dogs Film (Trailer and Excerpts) – 1977 Thriller Adaptation Drama

Sleeping Dogs

Film (Trailer and Excerpts) – 1977 Thriller Adaptation Drama

PG Parental Guidance

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The trailer for this feature film.

An excerpt from this feature film.

The credits from this feature film.

Smith (Sam Neill, in his breakthrough screen role) is devastated when his wife runs off with his best friend Bullen (Ian Mune). Smith escapes to the Coromandel. Meanwhile, the government enlists an anti-terrorist force to crack down on its opponents. Bullen, now a guerrilla, asks Smith to join the revolution. Directed by Roger Donaldson, this adaptation of CK Stead's novel Smith's Dream heralded a new wave of Kiwi cinema; it was one of the only local films of the 1970s to win a big local audience. This excerpt includes a much talked about scene: a baton charge by government forces.

Key Cast & Crew

Ian Mune

Writer, As: Bullen, Art Director

Sam Neill

As: Smith

Roger Donaldson

Director, Producer, Art Director

See all 48 credits

[Sleeping Dogs] almost single-handedly created a climate of acceptance within the country for a Kiwi film industry.
– Jonathan Dowling looks back at the film's impact, The Evening Post, 27 February 1988

Produced by

Aardvark Films

Source

New Zealand Film Commission

Availability

Available to rent and buy from NZ Film On Demand

More information

Acknowledgements

Funded with the assistance of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council

Music

Opening song 'Don't Look Back' sung and composed by Murray Grindlay

Closing credits song 'Sleeping Dogs' performed by Aerial Railway

Soundtrack includes songs by Mark Williams and Josie Hamilton Rika