SLEEPING DOGS (1977)
Sam Neill stars in this political thriller and personal drama that is a true landmark in New Zealand cinema, not least because it was the first feature-length 35mm film produced entirely in the country by an all-local crew. In his first leading role in a feature, Neill plays Smith, a man escaping the break-up of his marriage by finding isolation on a coastal island. As he settles in, the country experiences its own turmoil: an oil embargo has led to martial law and a civil war with which Smith becomes increasingly involved. (Note courtesy of American Genre Film Archive). DIR/PROD Roger Donaldson; SCR Ian Mune, Arthur Baysting, from the novel “Smith’s Dream” by C.K. Stead. New Zealand, 1977, color, 107 min. NOT RATED
In Memoriam: Sam Neill (1947–2026)
Run Time: 107 Minutes
Opening Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
Genre: Thriller
