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Roger Donaldson

Roger Donaldson

Highest Rated: 100% Smash Palace (1981)

Lowest Rated: 9% Cocktail (1988)

Birthday: Nov 15, 1945

Birthplace: Ballarat, Australia

Having proved himself to be a capable craftsman of several compelling political thrillers, director Roger Donaldson hit a downward spiral in his career after emerging from his native New Zealand as its cinematic savior, only to reestablish himself in the new millennium. 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 was also successful with the political thriller "No Way Out" (1987), which effectively tapped into the paranoia surrounding the rejuvenated Cold War. Another highlight of his career was "Thirteen Days" (2000), a taut and suspenseful look at the behind-the-scenes action inside the Kennedy White House during the Cuban Missile Crisis. By the time he helmed the excellent heist thriller "The Bank Job" (2008), Donaldson had established himself as one of cinema's most compelling filmmakers.

Photos

Roger Donaldson SMASH PALACE, director Roger Donaldson (left) on set, 1981, (c) Atlantic Releasing THE RECRUIT, Al Pacino, director Roger Donaldson on the set, 2003, (c) Walt Disney THE RECRUIT, Colin Farrell, Al Pacino, director Roger Donaldson on the set, 2003, (c) Walt Disney SPECIES, director Roger Donaldson (right), on set, 1995. ©MGM CADILLAC MAN, Robin Williams, Roger Donaldson, 1990 THE RECRUIT, Director Roger Donaldson on the set, 2003, (c) Walt Disney THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN, director Roger Donaldson on set, 2005, (c) Magnolia Pictures THE BANK JOB, from left: James Faulkner, Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays, Alki David (back), director Roger Donaldson, Jason Statham, on set, 2008. ©Lions Gate THE BANK JOB, director Roger Donaldson, Jason Statham, on set, 2008. ©Lions Gate THIRTEEN DAYS, Steven Culp as Robert F. Kennedy, Kevin Costner, director Roger Donaldson, on set, 2000. (c)New Line Cinema THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN, Director Roger Donaldson, 2005, (c) Magnolia Pictures THE GETAWAY, director Roger Donaldson, on set, 1994. ©Universal THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN, Anthony Hopkins, Director Roger Donaldson, 2005, (c) Magnolia Pictures THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN, director Roger Donaldson on set, 2005, (c) Magnolia Pictures THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN, Director Roger Donaldson, Anthony Hopkins on set, 2005, (c) Magnolia Pictures DANTE'S PEAK, Director Roger Donaldson, 1997. © MCA NO WAY OUT, director Roger Donaldson, on set, 1987. ©Orion Pictures./ . THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN, director Roger Donaldson, 2005, (c) Magnolia Pictures
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Filmography

Movies

Credit
79% 81% McLaren Director - 2017
35% 46% The November Man Director $25.0M 2014
28% 39% Justice Director - 2011
80% 74% The Bank Job Director $30.0M 2008
82% 89% The World's Fastest Indian Director,
Writer,
Producer 		$5.1M 2005
43% 58% The Recruit Director $52.8M 2003
83% 80% Thirteen Days Director $34.6M 2000
No Score Yet No Score Yet Fearless Executive Producer - 1999
28% 38% Dante's Peak Director $67.2M 1997
42% 31% Species Director $58.7M 1995
33% 28% The Getaway Director $15.5M 1994
44% 41% White Sands Director $8.2M 1992
58% 32% Cadillac Man Director,
Producer 		$26.9M 1990
9% 58% Cocktail Director $77.3M 1988
92% 72% No Way Out Director $31.7M 1987
No Score Yet 33% Marie: A True Story Director $1.9M 1985
74% 73% The Bounty Director - 1984
100% 81% Smash Palace Director - 1981
No Score Yet 56% Sleeping Dogs Director - 1977