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Sam Pillsbury

Known For
Directing
Birthplace
New York City, New York, USA
Active Years
1974–2009 (36 Years)
Total Credits
33 credits in database
Directing New York City, New York, USA 33 credits
33
Total Credits
1974–2009
36 Years Career Span
8
Vault Titles
0
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Sam Pillsbury is an American film director, producer, and winemaker who was raised in Connecticut and born in New York City, New York, United States. He emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 14. At age 23, he began working at the government-owned National Film Unit alongside a group of emerging filmmakers investigating new subjects and styles. During his time there, he directed seven films, including a multi-faceted study of artist Ralph Hotere and a satirical look at workplace relations titled Men and Supermen. He was also part of the directing team for the Commonwealth Games chronicle Games 74 and worked on set and at the editing bench for Paul Maunder's Gone Up North for a While before going solo in 1975 to direct the documentary Birth with R. His directorial credits include Klynham Summer, The Quiet Earth, Starlight Hotel, and a miniseries adaptation of the Elizabeth Gowans novel Heart of the High Country.

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Career

Career overview

Sam Pillsbury is an American film director and producer who was raised in Connecticut before emigrating to New Zealand at the age of 14. At the age of 23, he began his career at the government-owned National Film Unit. During his tenure there, he directed seven films, including a study of artist Ralph Hotere and the satirical work Men and Supermen. He also served as part of the directing team for the Commonwealth Games chronicle Games 74 and contributed to the production and editing of Paul Maunder's Gone Up North for a While. Pillsbury began working independently in 1975, with his early solo projects including the documentary Birth with R.

Throughout his career, Pillsbury has been involved in various film and television projects. His directing credits include the 1982 film Klynham Summer, the 1985 film The Quiet Earth, and the 1987 film Starlight Hotel. Additionally, he directed a miniseries adaptation of the novel Heart of the High Country by Elizabeth Gowans, which starred Valerie Gogan as an immigrant servant in New Zealand. Known for his work as a director, producer, and winemaker, Pillsbury has a body of work that spans several decades and includes a variety of documentary and narrative storytelling formats.

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Career timeline

National Lampoon Presents: Endless Bummer · DirectorNational Lampoon Presents: Endless Bummer · Screenplay
Raising Waylon · Director
Where the Red Fern Grows · DirectorWhere the Red Fern Grows · AuthorAudrey's Rain · DirectorThe King and Queen of Moonlight Bay · Director
Crooked Earth · DirectorMorgan's Ferry · DirectorTaking Back Our Town · DirectorThe Wedding Dress · Director
Secret of Giving · Director
Fifteen and Pregnant · Director
Free Willy 3: The Rescue · Director
Sins of Silence · DirectorA Mother's Instinct · DirectorA Mother's Instinct · Co-ProducerThrill · Director
Between Love and Honor · Director
Knight Rider 2010 · DirectorEyes of Terror · DirectorSearch for Grace · DirectorShadows of Desire · Director
The President's Child · Director
Eerie, Indiana · DirectorZandalee · DirectorInto the Badlands · Director
Starlight Hotel · Director
The Quiet Earth · ProducerThe Quiet Earth · Writer
The Scarecrow · Director
Ralph Hotere · DirectorRalph Hotere · Editor

Full Filmography

33 titles
  • National Lampoon Presents: Endless Bummer (2009) Director
  • National Lampoon Presents: Endless Bummer (2009) Screenplay
  • Raising Waylon (2004) Director
  • Where the Red Fern Grows (2003) Director
  • Where the Red Fern Grows (2003) Author
  • Audrey's Rain (2003) Director
  • The King and Queen of Moonlight Bay (2003) Director
  • Crooked Earth (2001) Director
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  • Morgan's Ferry (2001) Director
  • Taking Back Our Town (2001) Director
  • The Wedding Dress (2001) Director
  • Secret of Giving (1999) Director
  • Fifteen and Pregnant (1998) Director
  • Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997) Director
  • Sins of Silence (1996) Director
  • A Mother's Instinct (1996) Director
  • A Mother's Instinct (1996) Co-Producer
  • Thrill (1996) Director
  • Between Love and Honor (1995) Director
  • Knight Rider 2010 (1994) Director
  • Eyes of Terror (1994) Director
  • Search for Grace (1994) Director
  • Shadows of Desire (1994) Director
  • The President's Child (1992) Director
  • Eerie, Indiana (1991) Director
  • Zandalee (1991) Director
  • Into the Badlands (1991) Director
  • Starlight Hotel (1987) Director
  • The Quiet Earth (1985) Producer
  • The Quiet Earth (1985) Writer
  • The Scarecrow (1982) Director
  • Ralph Hotere (1974) Director
  • Ralph Hotere (1974) Editor

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Sam Pillsbury best known for?

Sam Pillsbury is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Where the Red Fern Grows (2003), Where the Red Fern Grows (2003), Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997), Knight Rider 2010 (1994).

When and where was Sam Pillsbury born?

Sam Pillsbury was born in New York City, New York, USA.

How many credits does Sam Pillsbury have?

Sam Pillsbury has accumulated over 33 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1974 to 2009.

What is Sam Pillsbury's background in cinema and television?

Sam Pillsbury is an American film director, producer, and winemaker who was raised in Connecticut and born in New York City, New York, United States. He emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 14. At age 23, he began working at the government-owned National Film Unit alongside a group of emerging filmmakers investigatin...

Sam Pillsbury by the numbers

33credits
32films
1TV series
1974–2009active years

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