DIRECTOR/PRODUCER/SCREENPLAY: Roger Donaldson
PRODUCTION CO: Aardvark Films, Moviescripts, New Zealand Film Commission
PHOTOGRAPHY: Graeme Cowley
EDITOR: Michael J Horton
MUSIC: Sharon O'Neill
WITH: Bruno Lawrence (Al Shaw), Anna Jemison (Jacqui Shaw), Greer Robson (Georgie Shaw), Keith Aberdein (Ray Foley), Desmond Kelly (Tiny), Sean Duffy (Frank), Lyn Robson (Linda), Margaret Umbers (Rose)

FESTIVALS: Toronto

REVIEW

“Smash Palace is the Kiwi cinema classic which launched director Roger Donaldson's international career. Al Shaw (a brilliant, brooding Bruno Lawrence) is a racing car driver who now runs a car wrecker's yard in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu. His French wife Jacqui is unhappy there and leaves him, taking up with Al's best mate. When she restricts Al's access to his young daughter, his frustration explodes and he goes bush with the girl, desperate not to lose her too. Completed in a rush, the tale of a marriage breaking down was praised as ‘amazingly accomplished’ by New Yorker critic Pauline Kael.”

— NZ On Screen

“Playing out as a darker, more haunting New Zealand variation on such US separation movies as Kramer vs. Kramer or Shoot the Moon, Smash Palace offers a brilliant, vivid messy portrait of masculinity in crisis, driven by Lawrence's immense central performance - once again confirming his status as one of New Zealand's finest actors.”

​— Arrow Video 

FILM SOCIETY SCREENINGS

​Wellington  
Monday, 01 May, 6.15pm

Queenstown 
Tuesday, 16 May, 8.15pm

​Palmerston North 
Wednesday, 14 June, 6.00pm

Tauranga 
Tuesday, 27 June, 6.00pm

Canterbury  
Monday, 10 July, 7.00pm

​New Plymouth  
Wednesday, 19 July, 6.00pm

​​Whanganui   
Monday, 21 August, 7.00pm

Bigger Picture Ōamaru   
Thursday, 31 August, 7.00pm

NZ FILM selection >>