I remember seeing Sam Neill in the movie Sleeping Dogs, not immediately it came out, but actually after I’d read the book the movie was based on, C K Stead’s Smith’s Dream — a dark, gritty, violent book, and all too plausible in the days of Robert Muldoon.
Then later, he was the glamorous star of Reilly, Ace of Spies. He was kind of the Kiwi Mel Gibson. We took pride in his success. He was one of us, a Kiwi.
Never mind where he was born, Ireland. Like US-born Aussie Gibson. Just like that.
To call Sam Neill ubiquitous or prolific would be an understatement. The guy popped up (welcome) in all sorts of movies and tv shows. The ‘biggest’ was probably Jurassic Park. By golly he did a lot of work. Much later his role as evil policeman in Peaky Blinders was cool; the Omen movies, not so cool, but he was a working actor with a capital W.
To me, Sam spoke as someone in touch with their feelings. His later writing was exquisite and honest. cf Did I Ever Tell You This?
He was upfront about his illness. He was brave. He was, well, wonderful.
RIP Sam, and thank you. You’ll be missed.
– P
