Biography
With "Sleeping Dogs" (1977), Donaldson singlehandedly put New Zealand on the map as the next filmmaking capital of the world, while also getting himself noticed in Hollywood. He failed to disappoint with his political thriller "No Way Out" (1987), which effectively tapped into the paranoia surrounding the rejuvenated Cold War. But Donaldson's goodwill was in jeopardy after directing the much-maligned "Cocktail" (1988), even though it proved to …
Career Milestones
2008 | Helmed "The Bank Job" based on a 1971 true life robbery of a bank in Baker Street, London | |
2005 | Directed (also wrote) Anthony Hopkins in "The World's Fastest Indian" | |
2003 | Directed Al Pacino and Colin Farrell in the CIA spy thriller "The Recruit" | |
2000 | Reteamed with Kevin Costner on the taut and well-made "Thirteen Days" about the 1961 Cuban missile crisis | |
1997 | Directed the formulaic "Dante's Peak" starring Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton | |
1995 | Returned to form with the sci-fi thriller "Species" starring Natasha Henstridge | |
1994 | Directed Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger in an ill-advised and unnecessary remake of "The Getaway" | |
1992 | Helmed the murky murder mystery "White Sands" | |
1990 | Co-produced (with Charles Roven) and directed the comedy "Cadillac Man" featuring Robin Williams and Tim Robbins | |
1988 | Had box-office success with the Tom Cruise vehicle "Cocktail" | |
1987 | Enjoyed a critical hit with "No Way Out" starring Kevin Costner; a remake of "The Big Clock" (1946) | |
1985 | American film debut, "Marie: A True Story" starring Sissy Spacek | |
1984 | First non-Australian film as director, "The Bounty" starring Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson | |
1981 | His "Smash Palace" was shown at New Directors/New Films Festival at New York's Museum of Modern Art | |
1977 | Feature directing and producing debut, "Sleeping Dogs"; first film produced in New Zealand in 15 years | |
| Directed a series of seven short dramas for New Zealand TV entitled "Winners and Losers" | ||
| Began career as stills photographer and then began making documentary films | ||
1961 | Immigrated to New Zealand aged 19 | |
| Born and raised in Australia | ||