Smash Palace (1981)

Al Shaw's life revolves around motor racing and his back country junkyard, the "Smash Palace". His French wife, Jacqui, doesn't appreciate the lack of attention due to Al's obsession with ... See full summary »

Director:

Roger Donaldson

Writers:

Roger Donaldson, Peter Hansard

Stars:

Bruno Lawrence, Anna Maria Monticelli, Greer Robson-Kirk

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruno Lawrence	...	Al Shaw
Anna Maria Monticelli	...	Jacqui Shaw (as Anna Jemison)
Greer Robson-Kirk	...	Georgie Shaw (as Greer Robson)
Keith Aberdein	...	Ray Foley
Desmond Kelly	...	Tiny
Lynne Robson	...	Linda
Margaret Umbers	...	Rose
Sean Duffy	...	Frank
Bryan Johnson	...	2nd Police Officer
Terence Donovan	...	Traffic Officer
Dick Rollo	...	Uncle Arthur
Ian Barber	...	Fight Leader
Mike Beytagh	...	Armed Offenders' Squad
Brian Chase	...	Armed Offenders' Squad
Ross Davies	...	Armed Offenders' Squad

Storyline

Al Shaw's life revolves around motor racing and his back country junkyard, the "Smash Palace". His French wife, Jacqui, doesn't appreciate the lack of attention due to Al's obsession with cars. When Al finds her in the arms of another man, he takes his daughter, Georgie and heads for the bush, desperately hoping to hold on to the only family he has left.

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Plot Keywords:

girl | male nudity | male full frontal nudity | pubic hair | male pubic hair | 

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Taglines:

There's No Road Back!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the Armed Offenders Squad member, Colin Fredricksen, was the son-in-law of the owner of the Horopito Motors car wreckers yard in which the film is set.

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Connections

Featured in Century of Cinema: Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill (1995)

User Reviews

Rather an unpleasant and tedious watch

Rather an unpleasant and tedious watch with mundane storyline and only workmanlike direction. Bruno Lawrence carries the film as the distinctly uncharismatic scrapyard owner although his scenes with the excellent young girl Greer Robson are some of the best elements. Indeed what I did like here is the scrapyard itself, a quite amazing graveyard of old busted and rusting vehicles and the amazing snowy mountain backdrop. I also liked the performance of young Robson and if more could have been like the birthday cake scene all might have been well. I also thought the last 5 minutes or so were very well done and at least I ended the film with a smile on my face. Goodness only knows why fledgling director Roger Donaldson took on Australian newbie Anna Jemison who really seemed to struggle and has some of the most embarrassing scenes I recall seeing, the drunken and bed ones in particular. Overall this is a dull and dreary affair with only the aforementioned junk yard and young girl likely to remain in the memory - oh and the ultra embarrassing full frontal in the street from Bruno Lawrence.

Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English French

Release Date:

30 April 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Acorralado en el infierno

Filming Locations:

145 Nei Street, Rangataua, New Zealand

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aardvark Films, Moviescripts, New Zealand Film Commission

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1