sleep dog be the first major new zealand feature film to find a wider audience . feature a young sam neill a a loner catch up by accident in the fight between a fascist government take control and those resist the loss of freedom . the film be direct by roger donaldson ( whose main stream movie include world fast indian and dante peak and specie ) and be base on the excellent book smith dream by c. k. stead . it feature warren oates ( u ) and ian mune ( who co write the screenplay ) as well a a cast of other new zealand regular . while action pack the human drama behind the movie be also of interest and the dvd ( a double with smash palace ) feature an excellent making of documentary highlight the issue of make a movie in new zealand in the mid 1970 . this be an excellent movie which realistically portray a nation accept the gradual loss of freedom for all the right reason which seem very topical even today . the story will grip you and the end will . well see it for yourself .