Smash Palace (1981)
May 1, 1981Release Date
Smash Palace (1981)
May 1, 1981Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently Smash Palace is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple TV, Kanopy
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
Cast & Crew.
Bruno Lawrence
Al Shaw / Writer
Anna Maria Monticelli
Jacqui Shaw
Greer Robson
Georgie Shaw
Keith Aberdein
Ray Foley
Desmond Kelly
Tiny
Lynne Robson
Linda
Margaret Umbers
Rose
Bryan Johnson
2nd Police Officer
Terence Donovan
Traffic Officer
Dick Rollo
Uncle Arthur
Ian Barber
Fight Leader / Stunt Coordinator
Mike Beytagh
Armed Offenders' Squad
Brian Chase
Armed Offenders' Squad
Ross Davies
Armed Offenders' Squad
Colin Fredricksen
Armed Offenders' Squad
Thomas King
Armed Offenders' Squad
Chris Pasco
Armed Offenders' Squad
Ewan Somerville
Armed Offenders' Squad
Frank Taylor
Armed Offenders' Squad
Mike Wiggins
Armed Offenders' Squad
Ray Littlewood
Barman
Doug McKenzie
Helicopter Pilot
Don Lee
Minister
Chris Parkinson
Commentator (uncredited)
Sean Duffy
Frank
Roger Donaldson
Director / Writer / Producer
Brian Shennan
Sound mixer
David Brown
Electrician
Steve Millen
Driver
Bryony Hurden
Hairstylist / Makeup Artist
Len Nightingale
Prop Maker
Larry Parr
Producer
Sharon O'Neill
Original Music Composer
Reston Griffiths
Art Direction
Linda Cowley
Second Unit
Steve Locker-Lampson
Second Unit
John Spurdle
Grip
Peter Hansard
Writer
Patrick Monaghan
Sound Editor / ADR & Dubbing
Ray Sturch
Driver
Stephen Penny
Prop Maker
Mickey Cottrell
Publicist
Stuart Dryburgh
Gaffer
Brian Kassler
Grip
Annabel Blackett
Costume Design
Dorthe Scheffmann
Production Manager
Sal Criscillo
Still Photographer
Michael Horton
Editor
Media.
Details.
Release DateMay 1, 1981
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 48m
Filming LocationsNew Zealand
Genres
Last updated:
Wiki.
Smash Palace is a 1981 New Zealand psychological crime thriller directed by Roger Donaldson. The film chronicles Al, a retired race car driver (played by Bruno Lawrence) who runs "Smash Palace", a carwrecking yard in rural Manawatū-Whanganui, with his depressed French wife and their seven-year-old daughter Georgie (Greer Robson). After their turbulent marriage breaks down and his wife obtains a restraining order against him, Al kidnaps Georgie and descends into the rain-forest.
Shot on location in the North Island Volcanic Plateau between February and May 1981, Smash Palace was the second feature film Donaldson directed. Lawrence contributed heavily to writing. The soundtrack was composed and performed by New Zealand-born singer Sharon O'Neill. Concerned that cultural cringe may result in an underwhelming box office performance, Donaldson decided to first release the film in Europe and the United States. Smash Palace premiered at Cannes in May 1981, barely four months after filming began. The film's subsequent American release was met with widespread critical acclaim for its performances, themes and cinematography. It was released theatrically in New Zealand in January 1982 and became a box office success.
Smash Palace is often cited by critics as one of the best films of 1981 and 1982. The film launched Donaldson's international career. The enthusiasm the film garnered in particular among American critics won him interest from Hollywood, and the chance to direct the first of a number of films financed outside of New Zealand, The Bounty. The film's eponymous wrecking yard is a real location that still exists today.