Sam Neill, the beloved actor who has died aged 78, recently answered Guardian readers' questions in what would become his final interview. He reflected on missing out on James Bond, the true terrors of Jurassic Park, and his dream to live long enough to pour his first chardonnay from his New Zealand vineyard.
On Dogs and Dean Spanley
When asked how he prepared to regress into a dog for the film Dean Spanley, Neill admitted he didn't consult a canine expert. 'I’ve studied dogs – wittingly or unwittingly – over the years, so the portrayal came from that,' he said. He described his late Staffy, Fire, as 'the most expressive of dogs' and recalled flying with her between New Zealand and Australia. 'It cost more to fly her in a cage than it did the rest of us,' he said. 'A friend who worked in the airport ground staff heard an announcement over the intercom: “Flight 8497 to Queenstown is delayed. Sam Neill’s dog has taken a shit in the back.”'
Working with Robin Williams
Neill shared fond memories of working with Robin Williams on Bicentennial Man. 'I loved Robin dearly,' he said. He noted that Williams' constant humour 'was almost an affliction – he couldn’t help it.' Neill added, 'There was another side to him too. The explanations for his death never quite account for the terrible sadness he carried. You could sense it in quieter moments, just the two of us running our lines in the trailer. Then we’d step outside and he’d light up the party.'
The Real Terrors of Jurassic Park
Neill explained that on Jurassic Park, the combination of CGI and animatronics was key. 'I was particularly fond of the T rex,' he said. 'When he attacks the children through the sunroof of the Jurassic Park truck, there were dozens of people operating him. I was more concerned for the T rex than for the children. Sometimes he’d lunge too far, hit the truck, half a dozen teeth would fall out, and we’d have to stand down for the dinosaur dentist to repair his fangs.' He also revealed that the iconic glasses take-off moment was his own idea, not Steven Spielberg's.
Playing Baddies and Naming Animals
On playing villains like in The Piano and Peaky Blinders, Neill said, 'I’d like to think that, in life, I’m a goodie, so the chance to play a baddie can be a lot of fun.' He also discussed his farm animals, including a cow named Helena Bonham Carter, who has had 16 calves. 'Helena Bonham Carter is very happy to be a cow,' he said. He named a pig after Amy Adams, though 'Amy Adams the pig is not, by any standard, a pretty thing.'
Why He Changed His Name from Nigel
Neill explained why he switched from his birth name, Nigel. 'Changing it has been the best decision I’ve ever made,' he said. 'Now there is – God save us – the vague prospect of one of the worst Nigels ever becoming prime minister. Exceptions prove the rule – Havers, Planer, Davenport. Mostly, Nigels are fools.' He noted that no one has named their child Nigel in the UK for years. 'If I’d stayed with Nigel Neill, I don’t think I would have had a film career.'
Cancer and Diet Changes
Neill, who was on chemotherapy for five years, said he now eats whatever he wants. 'When I left hospital, I was looking forward to going to some good restaurants. I said to my nurse: “What should I be eating?” She said: “Sam, eat whatever you feel like.”' He grows fruit on his farm and had 'stewed plums, stewed apricots, and stewed rhubarb' for breakfast.
On Turning Down James Bond
Neill admitted he would have taken the role of James Bond if offered. 'I suspect I would have done it – because I was bullied into doing the bloody screen test by my agent, Margaret – God rest her soul,' he said. But he added that he wouldn't have enjoyed his life as an ex-Bond, with people saying, 'Look – it’s what’s-his-name, who used to be James Bond?'
The Missing Event Horizon Footage
Neill discussed lost footage from Event Horizon, saying that what you don't see is scarier. 'When they’re doing thrillers or horror films, people overlook: it’s what you don’t see that’s scary. If you can see the monster, you can deal with it. But if you can’t, who knows what’s going to happen?' He was surprised the theatrical cut omitted eerie, darker moments.
On His Ordinary Appearance
When asked if his recognisable face contributed to his success, Neill said, 'No. If anything, I’ve had to overcome the ordinariness of my appearance.'
School Days and the Chardonnay Dream
Neill recalled being a boarder from age nine and telling schoolboys that those without special blazers would make something of their lives. 'Being made head prefect, you’d never get over that. The rest of your life would be a disappointment.' On his vineyard, he said, 'We had two acres of pinot noir at our Fusilier vineyard which has never done terribly well, so this season we pulled it up to plant chardonnay. In a couple of years, we’ll have our own organic chardonnay ready to go. I want to live long enough to pour my first chardonnay, so I’m looking forward to that.'
