Sleeping Dogs (1977) Blu-ray

Adapted from C.K. Stead s novel Smith s Dream, Sleeping Dogs almost single-handedly kickstarted the New Zealand New Wave, demonstrating that homegrown feature films could resonate with both local and international audiences, and launching the big-screen careers of director Roger Donaldson (No Way Out, Species) and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Possession).

Neill in his first lead role in a feature plays Smith, a man escaping the break-up of his marriage by finding isolation on an island off the Coromandel Peninsula. As he settles into his new life, the country is experiencing its own turmoil: an oil embargo has led to martial law and civil war, into which Smith reluctantly finds himself increasingly involved.

Co-starring Warren Oates (Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia) as the commander of a US army unit drawn into the conflict, Sleeping Dogs is simultaneously a political thriller, a personal drama and a true landmark in New Zealand cinema.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Intimate Lighting (Intimní osv tlení, 1965) presented from a brand new 4K restoration of the film from original materials by the Czech National Film Archive.
• Filmed interview with director Ivan Passer.
• Ivan Passer s short film A Boring Afternoon (Fádní odpoledne, 1964) presented from a new HD transfer from original materials by the Czech National Film Archive.
• Booklet featuring new writing on the film by Trevor Johnston, and an essay by critic Phillip Bergson.
• New and improved English subtitle translation.
• Region free
• Original soundtrack in Dual Mono 24-bit LPCM audio
• World Premiere on Blu-ray