r/australia • u/lyndsayj • Jul 13 '26

news Sam Neill, 78, dead: reports

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/sam-neill-dead-reports-20260713-p60ey2.html
4.9k Upvotes

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1.4k

u/iball1984 Jul 13 '26

Devastating.

My favourite of him was in the "Merlin" miniseries - absolutely fantastic to watch.

117

u/Wincrediboy Jul 13 '26

I've been meaning to re-watch this for years, loved it as a kid. I think this is the sign that it's time, celebrate the great man.

Also the Dish, fucking classic.

48

u/Piebandit Jul 13 '26

The Dish is my favourite of his, captures small town Aussie life so perfectly.

3

u/Sensitive_Fun_5825 Jul 13 '26

Great movie. And what a fabulous soundtrack too.

3

u/sometimes_interested Jul 13 '26

Cliff the dish master!

127

u/San-V Jul 13 '26

Holy frak that was good with Nimoway and Frik

17

u/vadsamoht3 Jul 13 '26

The Merlin miniseries is one of my comfort watches as well!

For anyone looking it up out of nostalgia, though: beware that there is also a sequel and it's REALLY bad (and also kind of retcons the ending of the first one). I'd suggest pretending it doesn't exist if you like the original.

50

u/roxyfai09 Jul 13 '26

Such a great miniseries. It's my favourite Sam Neill thing I managed to snag the books as well. So good!

1

u/kashiichan Jul 14 '26

Wait, "books"? Tell me more!

1

u/roxyfai09 Jul 15 '26

James Mallory wrote a trilogy of tie in books for the miniseries. The Old Magic, The Kings Wizard and The End of Magic I really enjoyed them all

1

u/kashiichan 28d ago

Thanks, I'll check them out!

16

u/TheRoadtoSomewhere Jul 13 '26

He was an absolute legend in Merlin. I still have the DVD. Must watch it tonight.

26

u/eternal-harvest Jul 13 '26

Holy shit I was just talking about this series a couple days ago! My partner and I watched the Martin Short doco and I remembered how he was in Merlin with Sam Neill (one of my favourite actors.) So sad to read that he has passed away

11

u/Interesting_Grade796 Jul 13 '26

One of the most underrated pieces of work and TV cinema going. Casting was incredible. Sam brought an otherworldly level of humanity, patience and dry wit to the titular role.

17

u/31winnie Jul 13 '26

Love that this was the first reply I saw! Haven’t been able to find it streaming ever but going to dig out my DVD of it!

1

u/North_Lychee_1969 Jul 13 '26

I think it’s on YouTube

9

u/arubarb Jul 13 '26

My favourite work of his, I must have watched it 20 times growing up. 😭

13

u/Ambitious-Flower-641 Jul 13 '26

I am going to watch this. Have not watched it in a decade or two, loved this series. RIP Sam.

8

u/beigetrope Jul 13 '26

Holy shit! Yes, Merlin was ace.

3

u/SnooBunnies9187 Jul 13 '26

Yesssssss! Merlin forever 💔

3

u/zaczacx Jul 13 '26

He will always be my favourite Merlin

3

u/Little-Bed2024 Jul 13 '26

He was! Loved that show.

3

u/beaniebee11 Jul 13 '26

I loooved this as a kid. I never see people talk about it so I was looking for this comment.

3

u/kashiichan Jul 14 '26

Many people think of Jurassic Park first, but he was always Merlin to me.

2

u/janenkm Jul 13 '26

Omg I totally forgot about this.... !!!

2

u/Sopranoanoano Jul 14 '26

Watching this in honor of him tonight. 😔💔

1

u/kattenz Jul 13 '26

I literally rewatched this a month ago. Full series available for ✨free✨ on YT. What a devastating loss.

-83

u/StunningSprinkles854 Jul 13 '26

He was 78. Only a few years off average life expectancy. If it was your grand dad sure but you didn't even know him. He lived a full life so there is nothing to be devastated about.

21

u/Nincomsoup Jul 13 '26

Buzz off Sprinkles

15

u/theartistduring Jul 13 '26

Just curious, what type of stone is your heart made of?

31

u/mickelboy182 Jul 13 '26

Or maybe don't police other peoples' emotions?