Sleeping Dogs
Parental guidance recommended for younger viewers 1977 1h 44m Film
- Adaptation
- Drama
- Thriller
About
Smith (Sam Neill, in his breakthrough screen role) is devastated when his wife runs off with his best friend Bullen (Ian Mune), so escapes to the Coromandel. The government enlists an anti-terrorist force to crack down on its opponents, and Bullen — now a guerrilla — asks Smith to join the revolution. Directed by Roger Donaldson, this adaptation of the CK Stead novel Smith's Dream heralded a new wave of New Zealand cinema; one of the only Kiwi films of the 1970s to win a big local audience. A much-discussed scene includes a baton charge by government forces, predating the real-life conflicts of the 1981 Springbok tour.
Key Cast & Crew
DA
Donna Akersten
As: Mary
Related collections
Related images
Director Roger Donaldson and actor Sam Neill discuss their movie Sleeping Dogs, before the start of production.
Photo supplied by Roger Donaldson
A 30th anniversary reunion for movie Sleeping Dogs: from left to right, associate producer Larry Parr, special effects man Geoff Murphy, actor/co-writer Ian Mune, actor Bernard Kearns, and Don Brash (who helped finance the film).
Photographer: Andrew Gorrie. Kindly provided by The Dominion Post
Sam Neill in a scene from Sleeping Dogs.
Photo appears courtesy of the NZ Film Commission
Smith (Sam Neill) in front of his new home in the Coromandel, in 1977 film Sleeping Dogs.
Photo appears courtesy of the NZ Film Commission
Sam Neill in a scene from Sleeping Dogs.
Photo appears courtesy of the NZ Film Commission
