Directed by Roger Donaldson
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.
Roger Donaldson's Sleeping Dogs, Perros de presa, Schlafende Hunde, Coup d'État, Ομάδες ασφαλείας, Unica regola vincere, Spiace psy, Força Selvagem, 星际狩猎者, 적색 영웅, 星際狩獵者
USANR 
New Zealand 
Germany Germany New Zealand USA 
Don't get me wrong this is undeniably well acted with a spectacular performance from Sam Neil but this just isn't for me. It was a total slog to get through as I didn't particularly care for the plot, definitely more something my dad would enjoy. I'm curious to find out how this landed on the 1001 films you've got to see before you die list.
Political action thriller from New Zealand about a man who, after splitting from his wife, seeks solitude on a little island in Coromandel. His peace is shattered when he somehow ends up getting dragged into a revolution. Well, no man is an island I guess. The film is based on the book Smith's Dream and presumably has something to say about the political climate in New Zealand at the time (I can't comment as I wasn't there). The story is still of interest - seemingly the main character can't escape from politics even if he pays no attention to it and actually hides away on an island. How depressing! It's the first starring role for Sam Neill and he's one…
Sleeping Dogs launched the new wave of New Zealandish cinema and made Sam Neill a star. It was the first movie directed by Roger Donaldson. Sleeping Dogs is considered one of the best New Zealand movies of all time (or so I am told).
Sleeping Dogs follows Smith (Sam Neill), a man who wants to get away from it all. He wants to live asocial, apolitical and even asexual. His wife left him for another man. Smith leaves his young children to live on a desolated Māori island. New Zealand is a land in turmoil. Faced with an oil crisis and major strikes, the New Zealand government usurps via a referendum far-reaching rights to suppress whoever opposes them. This makes…
Both Donaldson and Neill debut in "Sleeping Dogs", a great kiwi political thriller about a family man that, looking for a different life, gets tangled in a revolution. I guess the film could be regarded as a milestone of kiwi cinema considering it was the first New Zealand produced film to gain general release in the US and placed kiwi films in the spotlight, a modest one but still. Sam Neill has always ruled, and here's no exception, he kills it in his debut. The humble budget is evident, but that doesn't keep it from having excellent cinematography, several strong action sequences, and a well-rounded film overall.
I've always enjoyed New Zealand's scenery on screen, such a vivid location. The bastard count on this one is through the roof.
Obtaining some early recognition for Sam Neill as the chief protagonist, referred to throughout only as Smith, this dark political thriller from New Zealand managed to attract some large scale audiences and finally placed the country on the global cinematic map.
Neil portrays a man who separates from his wife at the outset of the film, and there's an amusing scene involving her new lover pulling up outside the house just as he's getting ready to drive away. Finally, he retreats to an isolated island with a dog which he reluctantly acquires on route to quietly get to grips with the emotional disruption that's just occurred within his life. Believing himself insulated to engage in some fishing while surrounded by…
The film that switch the notion of Kiwi cinema as more than just cheesy melodrama - Sleeping Dogs tells the story of man whose going through a harsh time recluse himself in an island, just to find himself enrolled in a revolution.
Sam Neill is certainly one of the greatest things about this movie. His performance, going from the quite moments to when the whole things pretty much explode, is so good to watch.
The cinematography was really good as well, the colors and everything look so real which helped me immerse more into the story. Some of the action and moments of tensions, especially towards the end, were also very good.
All in all, while it suffers from a rather weak story and a low budget, thanks to some very good performances, this is certainly a good watch for those seeking for a decent political thriller.
An odd film, awkwardly paced and plotted. But I really liked its semi-sci-fi thriller style. It's really alarming to see New Zealand in civil war mode. Ultra young Sam Neill is great. Warren Oates is fun and quite distressing in a tiny guest appearance. The Kiwi landscape makes for a beautiful setting. The action is a mixed bag, but it has great moments. Worth a watch.
Sleeping Dogs is a very niche Australian film that I knew absolutely nothing about aside from it starring Sam Neill. The story is very interesting but in my opinion it takes a bit too long to get going. The performances are solid though and there’s some cool cinematography in the final act.
It’s not something I’d tell you to rush out and watch but it’s still worth a watch.
3/5
When Warren Oates shows up at your motel room wearing Groucho Marx glasses, carrying party hats, a bottle of liquor and a stereo and wants to dance - you don't sit there all pouty like Sam Neil and start talking about nightmares.
this wasnt amazing but im legally obligated to give a movie at least 4 stars if sam neill is in a leading role
Which concept is more disorienting? A violent internecine guerrilla war in New Zealand, of all places? Or Sam Neill with flowing blonde locks? Well, I know how Kiwis react when the All Blacks lose (not a common occurrence, mind) so I guess the violent conflict is the less discombobulating of the two.
As I understand it, there was really no extant film industry to speak of in New Zealand when Roger Donaldson decided he was going to embark on the ambitious undertaking that is Sleeping Dogs. Even if this was something made on a shoestring in a place like America, I would be stunned at the achievement. I mean, he didn't just make a movie: he managed to make a…
The World Is More Than Enough 4: Thriller Night!
10/30 - New Zealand
For the second night running I watched a film that was really nothing like I expected.
Sleeping Dogs is a sort of political adventure action thriller of some sort. The kind of film that is over-burdened with ideas but doesn't seem to have the confidence to settle on one or two of them and really go for them. To a certain extent that can be forgiven considering that it was the debut of Roger Donaldson.
Let's talk about Donaldson, by the way. Because let's face it, nobody talks about him. And they should because his career is littered with thoroughly enjoyable films, liked by many, but none…
