Touched by the Great War: Remembering Sam Neill

 

Sam Neill (1947–2026)
With Fellow Cast Members of Reilly: Ace of Spies

By Your Editor/Publisher Mike Hanlon

On 13 July, New Zealander and distinguished actor Sam Neill died of pneumonia at age 78.  Over a highly acclaimed half-century, Neill played numerous memorable roles, including a dinosaur chaser in Jurassic Park,  a Soviet naval officer in the Hunt for Red October, and the Anti-Christ in Omen III.  I suspect, however, that most of our readers remember him best as Reilly:  Ace of Spies from the 1980s tv series, which featured a lot of  action from the run-up to World War One and post-revolutionary Russia.  Mysteriously, the series' chronology of episodes left out the 1914-1917 war years when Reilly was quite active here in the United States and (according to some legends) operating behind lines on the Western Front.  But, even with these gaps in the timeline and—shall we say—some dubious historical stretchings and speculations,  the 12-episode series was stupendously entertaining for history enthusiasts.  Sam just "killed" the role of Reilly and he was strongly supported by a top-notch cast playing familiar historical figures, excellent scripts, evocative music, and bevy of  enchanting and sometimes dangerous lady companions for our hero,  (All the episodes are free on YouTube, by the way.)

Sam Neill Visits His Grandfather's Grave at Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Flanders

You could watch that whole television series and most of Sam's movies, however, and never learn he played a major part in his nation's remembrance of its achievements and sacrifices during the struggles of 1914-1918.  Multiple members of his family were casualties in the war. His grandfather,  Lieutenant Colonel Robert John Fitzgerald Ingham,  Royal Garrison Artillery,  was killed at Messines in 1917. This was an absence that deeply affected Neill's grandmother and left a permanent mark on his family.  He also lost a great-uncle and his grandfather's cousin, Lt. Guy Bridgeman, MC, of the New Zealand Field Artillery, who died from illness back home after being badly injured in action.

Sam Neill Before the Sphinx, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli

Neill regularly put his show business expertise to use in supporting commemorative events for the war.  In 2005, with Jeremy Irons, he served as an English language narrator for the Turkish documentary Gallipoli, which examined the 1915  campaign from both sides. Then in 2015, he wrote and presented Why Anzac, an exploration of the realities of the First World War and the Anzac tradition. It was during his location filming that he visited his grandfather's grave in Flanders for the first time. 

Sam Neill at the Podium in His Last Public Appearance

ANZAC Day Commemoration,  April 2026

Right up to his death, Sam also actively participated in remembrance programs in New Zealand and Australia.  Above he is shown reading Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen" at the Sydney Opera House. A video of his reading can be viewed HERE. 

Rest in Peace, Sam

Notes:

1.  The entire documentary Gallipoli can be viewed on YouTube HERE

2.  Sadly, I have been unable to discover a site in North America where his documentary Why Anzac can either be streamed or purchased.  If you have a lead, please share it in the comments.