Main Cast: Eric Bana, Vince Colosimo, Simon Lyndon, David Field
Release Year: 2000
Country: AU
Run Time: 94 minutes
Plot
This Australian drama is based on the life and times of Mark "Chopper" Read, a notorious Aussie criminal who went on to become a best-selling author, publishing nine books about his exploits outside the law. In 1978, Chopper (played by Eric Bana) is serving a 16-year sentence for abducting a judge who was overseeing the trial of his best friend Jimmy (Simon Lyndon). Jimmy and Chopper end up sharing a cell, along with Keithy George (David Field), a crime boss; when a disagreement between Keithy and Chopper escalates into violence, Chopper kills Keithy, leading to retribution from the gangster's mates, who hire Jimmy to do their dirty work. To escape, Chopper forces a friend to cut off one of his ears so he'll be transferred to another prison. Eight years later, Chopper is out of prison and looking for Jimmy in hopes of getting revenge; in the meantime, he's looking to get even with another of his enemies, Neville (Vince Colosimo), and trying to keep his eye on his girlfriend, Tanya (Kate Beahan), who supports herself as a call girl. While the real "Chopper" Read was not directly involved in the production, comic Eric Bana was cast in the lead at Read's suggestion. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Daniel Wyllie - Bluey; Bill Young - Detective Downey; Gary Waddell - Kevin Darcy
Credit
Greg Apps - Casting, Terry Ryan - Costume Designer, Andrew Dominik - Director, Rowan Woods - Second Unit Director, Ken Sallows - Editor, Al Clark - Executive Producer, Yvonne Collins - Line Producer, Mick Harvey - Composer (Music Score), Paddy Reardon - Production Designer, Kevin Hayward - Cinematographer, Geoffrey Hall - Cinematographer, Frank Lipson - Sound/Sound Designer, Andrew Dominik - Screenwriter
