Jane Campion has shared heartfelt memories of actor Sam Neill, who starred in her 1993 film The Piano as the repressed and violent Stewart. In a personal tribute, Campion described Neill as 'effortlessly handsome' and 'a movie star,' a rare presence in New Zealand and Australian cinema.
First Meeting and On-Set Memories
Campion recalled her hands shaking when she first met Neill at a cafe in Vulcan Lane, Auckland, to discuss rehearsals for The Piano. Neill was cast as Stewart, the character who chops off his wife's finger. 'Who but Sam could play that part, could surprise with that part?' Campion wrote. She praised his kindness, commitment, and support on set, noting how he stomped through mud, organized dinners, and even bossed her around during rushes. She remembered gasping as he pulled Holly Hunter out of his hut into streaming rain and mud with unexpected force, realizing the story needed that intensity.
Friendship Beyond the Set
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. Over time, they confided in each other, sharing life stories and discussing preparations for the end of life. Neill's response to his cancer diagnosis included writing a brilliant memoir, and he asked Campion to check the The Piano chapter. She noted it was a lonely time for him, but he never showed it—except perhaps on screen.
Final Encounters
Campion saw Neill at the beginning of the year with his partner Heather and their mutual friend Griz at his winery, celebrating his cancer-free status and new chapters. She was struck by his gentleness and peacefulness. Months later, he was suddenly hospitalized at St Vincent's in Sydney. Campion visited with coffee and food, joined by Rachel Ward. 'The sense of love in and around Sam had intensified,' she wrote. They joked and chatted, avoiding discussion of illness. On her last visit, she brought him a watercolour set from the Macquarie art school shop because he said time was hard to fill; he happily sketched dreamy drawings. They talked about a Split Enz reunion concert Campion had attended, which Neill followed via audio from his bed. Their goodbye was a kiss, with Neill thanking her for coming. Campion reflected, 'Did we know it would be the last time? I didn’t think about it, I don’t think he did either.'
Legacy of Love
In Neill's final months, Campion found each encounter intoxicating. '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,' she concluded.
