Speed
From fast-running humans and animals to motorhead mayhem,...
The Bruno Lawrence Collection
This collection celebrates the inimitable performances of...
Top 10 NZ Feature Films
NZ On Screen has selected an all-time NZ feature film Top...
Best of the 80s
This 1980s collection shows the screen icons from the...
The Car Collection
Car races, demolition derbies and a famous yellow mini...
The NZ Film Commission turns 40
A collection celebrating 40 years of the NZ Film...
Kaleidoscope - Roger Donaldson in Hollywood
Roger Donaldson talks about Smash Palace
Numero Bruno
Documentary on Bruno Lawrence
The World's Fastest Indian
More men and cars from Roger Donaldson
Cowboys of Culture
Documentary that includes Smash Palace
McLaren
Another man and car story from Roger Donaldson
Blerta Revisited
Featuring Bruno Lawrence
The Adventure World of Sir Edmund Hillary - The Kaipo Wall (Part One)
Roger Donaldson film on Ed Hillary Fiordland expedition
Sleeping Dogs
Also directed by Roger Donaldson
Kaikohe Demolition
Many cars get destroyed in this documentary
Monkey Tale
Featuring violations of road safety rules
The Dominant Species
More car wrecks
Wild Horses
Also stars Keith Aberdein
Magic Kiwis - Bruno Do That Thing
Background on Smash Palace
Mortimer's Patch - Day of Judgement (First Episode)
Also features Greer Robson
Wound
Another tale of daughters and parents
Kaleidoscope - NZ Cinema, the Past Decade
Smash Palace features in this survey of NZ film
She's Racing
More filmic car carcasses
Nutcase
Also directed by Roger Donaldson
Starlight Hotel
Greer Robson’s follow-up role
The Quiet Earth
Also featuring Bruno Lawrence
Night of the Red Hunter - Telefeature
More Greer and Bruno
Goodbye Pork Pie
Also featuring Bruno Lawrence
Start Again
A Roger Donaldson-shot documentary on NZ hippy culture
Everything We Loved
Features another kidnapped child
Gordonia
Real life drama from a wrecker’s yard
All Things Being Equal - 22 Sept 1978 Episode
Lawrence was cast after Roger Donaldson saw him in this
NZBC Classics - Wahine Disaster
Actor Keith Aberdein reported from this disaster
Bad Blood
A true life story of a 1941 manhunt
Hooks and Feelers
Also features Keith Aberdein as an actor
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Another tale involving a child and a manhunt
Asthma and Your Child
More blowing out candles
AA Torque Show - Series Two, Episode Seven
More speeding on the Central Plateau
Coming Home - Roger Donaldson & Steve Millen
Features Smash Palace's director and stunt driver
6 Days
Another hostage drama
Winners & Losers: Blues for Miss Laverty
Roger Donaldson as a co-director
Winners & Losers: The Woman at the Store
A pioneering TV film co-directed by Roger Donaldson
For Arts Sake - A Century of Cinema
NZ Film Commission's Lindsay Shelton discusses Kiwi films
Smash Palace is a Kiwi cinema classic and launched Roger Donaldson's American career. Al Shaw (a brilliant, brooding Bruno Lawrence) is a racing car driver who now runs a wrecker's yard in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu. His French wife Jacqui is unhappy there and leaves him, taking up with Al's best mate. When she restricts Al's access to his young daughter, his frustration explodes and he goes bush with the girl, desperate not to lose her too. "There's no road back" runs the tagline. New Yorker critic Pauline Kael called the film "amazingly accomplished".
God Foley, what do you want from my life? You've got my wife and the kid. Tell you what, I'll give you the shirt from my back. Here yar. She bought it.– Al (Bruno Lawrence) to Ray Foley (Keith Aberdein)
Produced by
Aardvark Films
Availability
Available to rent and buy from NZ Film on Demand.
More information
Acknowledgements
Made with funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
Music
Original Music, Sharon O’Neill, (a soundtrack LP was issued in 1981 but has not been re-released).