Sleeping Dogs (1977)
A landmark New Zealand thriller that launched Sam Neill's career and helped ignite an entire national film industry.
Sleeping Dogs - Movie Information
- Original Title: Sleeping Dogs
- Release Year: 1977
- Directed by: Roger Donaldson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Thriller, Drama
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 6, 1977 (New Zealand)
- Alternative Titles: Roger Donaldson's Sleeping Dogs (AU)
- Production Companies: New Zealand Film Commission, Aardvark Films, Broadbank Investments
- Production Countries: New Zealand
Sleeping Dogs - Plot
Recluse Smith is drawn into a revolutionary struggle between guerrillas and right-wingers in New Zealand. Implicated in a murder and framed as a revolutionary conspirator, Smith tries to maintain an attitude of non-violence while caught between warring factions.
Sleeping Dogs - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this New Zealand political thriller:
What happens when you're hunted...and there's no place to run!
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Sleeping Dogs - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Roger Donaldson
Main Cast
- Sam Neill
- Warren Oates
- Ian Mune
- Ian Watkin
- William Johnson
- Davina Whitehouse
- Nevan Rowe
- Clyde Scott
- Donna Akersten
- Don Selwyn
Writers
- Ian Mune
- Arthur Baysting
Producers
- Roger Donaldson
Sleeping Dogs - FAQs
Is Sleeping Dogs Sam Neill's first film role?
Yes, Sleeping Dogs (1977) marks Sam Neill's feature film debut. The New Zealand-born actor plays Smith, a reclusive man drawn into a violent political conflict. The role launched his career, which would later include international hits such as Jurassic Park and The Piano.
Is Sleeping Dogs based on a true story?
No, Sleeping Dogs is not based on a true story. It is adapted from Karl Stead's 1971 New Zealand novel Smith's Dream, which imagines a near-future dystopian New Zealand under authoritarian rule. The screenplay was written by Ian Mune and Arthur Baysting.
What is Sleeping Dogs about?
Sleeping Dogs follows Smith, a recluse who retreats to a remote island after his marriage collapses, only to be swept into a violent struggle between government forces and guerrilla fighters in a near-future New Zealand. Framed as a revolutionary, he must survive while clinging to his pacifist principles.
Who are the main actors in Sleeping Dogs?
The film stars Sam Neill as Smith and Warren Oates as the menacing Col. Willoughby. The supporting cast includes Ian Mune, Ian Watkin, William Johnson, Davina Whitehouse, Nevan Rowe, Clyde Scott, Donna Akersten, and Don Selwyn.
When was Sleeping Dogs released?
Sleeping Dogs had its New Zealand theatrical release on October 6, 1977, making it one of the first locally produced New Zealand feature films of the modern era. It received a US release on February 28, 1982, notably becoming the first New Zealand film to open commercially in the United States.
Who directed Sleeping Dogs?
Sleeping Dogs was directed by Roger Donaldson, an Australian-born filmmaker who became a pioneering figure in New Zealand cinema. He later went on to direct Hollywood productions including No Way Out (1987), Cocktail (1988), and The Recruit (2003).
Where can I stream or watch Sleeping Dogs (1977)?
Sleeping Dogs (1977) is available to watch on Fandor with ads and on Kanopy for free. It can also be rented or purchased digitally through Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Availability may vary by region.
What is the significance of Sleeping Dogs in New Zealand cinema?
Sleeping Dogs is widely regarded as a landmark in New Zealand film history. It was among the first features produced under the newly established New Zealand Film Commission and is credited with helping launch a national film industry. Its US theatrical release in 1982 was a historic first for a New Zealand production.
More About Sleeping Dogs
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