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Sam Pillsbury

From Alfawiki
Sam Pillsbury
Born
Massachusetts, United States
Occupation(s)Filmmaker, producer, vintner
Years active1970s–present
Known forThe Scarecrow, Free Willy 3: The Rescue, Where the Red Fern Grows

Sam Pillsbury is an American filmmaker, producer, and vintner.

Life and Career

Originally from Massachusetts, Pillsbury relocated to New Zealand at the age of 14. By 23, he became part of the government-operated National Film Unit, where he contributed to pioneering film projects. During his tenure, he directed seven films, among them a profile on artist Ralph Hotere and the satirical piece Men and Supermen. His work also included the Commonwealth Games documentary Games '74 and collaboration on Paul Maunder’s Gone Up North for a While.

Launching his independent career in 1975, Pillsbury’s documentary Birth with R.D. Laing garnered awards in both Australia and New Zealand while provoking debate internationally. He created four documentaries for the television series Seven Days, addressing societal topics such as single motherhood and urban life among the Māori community.

His first dramatic work appeared in 1978 with the short film Against the Lights, adapted from a story by Witi Ihimaera about an assault on a Māori taxi driver. The 1980 documentary The Greatest Run on Earth earned honors at festivals in Chicago and Torino.

Pillsbury’s feature film debut came in 1981 with the horror movie The Scarecrow (released as Klynham Summer in the United States), based on Ronald Hugh Morrieson’s gothic novel. Featuring John Carradine, it was notably the first New Zealand film selected for Cannes’ Director's Fortnight in 1982.

He secured adaptation rights for the science fiction novel The Quiet Earth, later passing them to director Geoff Murphy. Pillsbury also directed the miniseries Heart of the High Country, inspired by Elizabeth Gowans’ immigrant narrative, as well as the period road film Starlight Hotel, which received critical acclaim despite limited release.

In 1990, after directing two episodes of Fox’s legal drama Against the Law, Pillsbury made his American feature debut with the erotic thriller Zandalee, starring Nicolas Cage. The film was released direct-to-video in 1991 and met with unfavorable critiques.

Following this, he concentrated on American television movies including Into the Badlands (1991), Eyes of Terror (1994), and Sins of Silence (1996). Pillsbury returned to cinema with 1997’s Free Willy 3: The Rescue. Although it did not perform well financially, it received some favorable reviews, notably from Roger Ebert. In 1998, he directed Kirsten Dunst in Lifetime’s production of Fifteen and Pregnant.

Upon returning to New Zealand in 2000, Pillsbury helmed Crooked Earth, featuring Temuera Morrison as a Māori soldier facing familial strife. He went on to direct Disney’s 2003 adaptation of Where The Red Fern Grows and the 2009 road movie Endless Bummer.

Winemaker

In addition to filmmaking, Pillsbury embarked on a winemaking venture by establishing a vineyard in Cochise County, Arizona, in 2000. He sold this property in 2006 to a consortium led by Maynard James Keenan, then founded Pillsbury Wine Company with a new vineyard and tasting room located in Willcox, Arizona, alongside another tasting room in Old Town Cottonwood.

Pillsbury Wine has earned numerous national honors, including Gold Medals at the Jefferson Cup and multiple Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Personal life

Pillsbury is married to the daughter of the sculptor Geny Dignac.

Selected filmography

External links

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