Sam Neill in ‘The Horse Whisperer’ (1998). Image by Buena Vista Pictures/Everett Collection.
So many actors have big egos but little talent. Second-rate celebrities who are legends in their own minds. Not so Sam Neill – a fine actor, humanitarian and lover of animals.
Many of the creatures on his New Zealand property were named after famous friends such as a pig – Bryan Brown; a rooster – Michael Fassbinder; Usain Bolt’s a chook and Helena Bonham Carter one of the cows.
Sam Neill riding the bay Arabian, Halim. Image supplied.
Sam Neill’s experiences with horses began when he was new to the movie business in the late ’70s. He went on to appear in the saddle in some major features and TV series such as Robbery Under Arms, The Horse Whisperer, Ride Like A Girl, Sweet Country, and Peaky Blinders.
“In Melbourne I was
put on a Thoroughbred
with only half a brain.”
He never had much to do with horses before making My Brilliant Career in 1979. “In Melbourne I was put on a Thoroughbred with only half a brain,” he once recalled. “Gorgeous looking but tricky, it only wanted to go left because that’s the way they race in Victoria!”
Several years later he made the feature/TV-miniseries Robbery Under Arms playing bushranger Captain Starlight. The horsemaster was Jim Willoughby, who has been working in the Australian film business for over 40 years.
“When Sam first sat on a horse he looked as if he could ride, and we joined the dots, so to speak. He rode a bay Arabian called Halim (Ringing Gold x Santarabia Arnika), a very well-behaved stallion.”
The actor listened well and learnt quickly. “On that picture I had an old blue heeler with me called Nigel who wasn’t that bright,” said Jim from his property in South Australia. “Sam loved him and gave him treats. One day he asked why I called him Nigel. I said I didn’t really know except that most Nigels aren’t that smart.
“Three days later the make-up girl told me Sam’s real name. I had absolutely no idea it was Nigel. However, he continued feeding the dog at lunchtime!” (Sam once said he didn’t think he’d have had a film career if he hadn’t changed his name).
Jim later worked with the actor on Sweet Country, a period western made in the outback of the Northern Territory. Sam thought highly of this veteran horseman, telling this writer: “Jim’s a great man who’s taught me more than anyone about riding.”
Sam Neill in ‘Merlin’ (1998) – a two-part television miniseries. Image by Hallmark Entertainment/Everett Collection.
‘A GENUINE PERSON’
“Such a genuine person,” said Willoughby. “He didn’t walk on to a set announcing himself. He was just part of the crew doing his job as an actor. And he had a natural relationship with all animals. He was never nervous around the horses. He realised if you approach any horse with confidence and a little bit of kindness in your heart it’ll accept you better than a nervous person. One of the great people who come into your life now and again. A beautiful man.”
In 1988, Sam made Evil Angels about the Azaria Chamberlain murder trial. No horses on this picture but nine purebred dingoes, three dyed kelpies and one large bird. They had been supplied by animal trainer, Evanne Chesson who, like Willoughby, has been in the Australian movie business for decades.
“Sam played the Michael Chamberlain role very well, Meryl Streep was also excellent as Lindy,” recalled Evanne. (Years later Sam named one of his chooks in New Zealand after the American actress).
Sam Neill in ‘Peaky Blinders’, Season 1 (2013). Image by Netflix/Everett Collection.
“I also had a crow on the picture and one morning director Fred Schepisi wanted it in a serious, meaningful scene. After putting the bird on its mark, the Chamberlains had to come through a door and walk down a drive.
“Cameras roll and out they come looking serious and meaningful speaking in sombre, award-winning tones. With that the crow cries, ‘aaagodwhyme?’; he’d learnt it from the bloke I got him from.
“The actors fell about laughing, the bird kept crowing and Schepisi started yelling. Not surprisingly the crow wasn’t wanted for the rest of the picture! All the dogs and dingoes were good, though, and Sam loved them all. Such a talented, gentle man.”
Sir Nigel John Dermot ‘Sam’ Neill – RIP. EQ
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