Jane Campion has shared her personal memories of actor Sam Neill, describing him as a true movie star who radiated peace and love even during his final days in hospital. The Oscar-winning director recalled their first meeting in Auckland to discuss rehearsals for The Piano, where Neill played the repressed and violent Stewart.
A Memorable First Encounter
Campion admitted her hands shook when she met Neill at a cafe in Vulcan Lane, Auckland, to start pre-production. She noted that Neill was effortlessly handsome and a rare movie star in New Zealand and Australia. He was cast to play Stewart, the character who chops off his wife's finger. Campion remarked, 'Who but Sam could play that part, could surprise with that part?'
On Set with Sam Neill
Neill was kind, committed, and supportive on set, looking after everyone and even bossing Campion around at rushes. She recalled gasping as he pulled Holly Hunter out of his hut into streaming rain and mud with unexpected force, realizing the story needed that intensity. Neill's portrayal of Stewart's jealousy was terrifying, she said.
Personal Connections and the Deep South
Neill and his then-wife Noriko invited Campion to their Queenstown house one summer, showing her the intense beauty of New Zealand's deep south. This began Campion's family's love affair with the region's lakes, mountains, and beech forests.
Confronting Cancer with Grace
As time went on, Campion and Neill confided in each other, sharing life stories and discussing preparations for the end of life. Neill responded to his cancer diagnosis by writing a brilliant memoir, and he asked Campion to check The Piano chapter. She noted it was a lonely time for him, but he never showed it—except perhaps on screen.
Final Meetings Filled with Love
Campion visited Neill at his winery early this year with his partner Heather and a mutual friend, celebrating his cancer-free status. She was struck by his gentleness, peacefulness, and grace. Months later, when Neill was hospitalized at St Vincent's in Sydney, Campion dropped in with coffee and food. Rachel Ward was also there, and they joked and chatted. 'The sense of love in and around Sam had intensified,' Campion said. They avoided discussing illness, deeming it a waste of beautiful time.
On her last visit, Campion brought Neill a watercolour set from the Macquarie art school shop because he said time was hard to fill. He was thrilled to create dreamy sketches. They talked about the Split Enz reunion concert she attended, which he followed on audio from his bed. Their goodbye was a kiss, and Neill thanked her for coming by. Campion reflected, 'Did we know it would be the last time? I didn't think about it, I don't think he did either.'
A Lasting Legacy of Peace and Love
Campion concluded, 'In these last few months, each time I saw Sam, it was an intoxicating experience. He was radiating peace, beaming love. He didn't seem to care about anything. He was just gently, gracefully there—but now he isn't. Thank you for everything Sam. I miss you.'
