Main Cast: Russell Crowe, Daniel Pollock, Jacqueline McKenzie, Alex Scott, Leigh Russell
Release Year: 1993
Country: AU
Run Time: 92 minutes
MPAA Rating: NC17
Plot
This controversial drama (which earned an NC-17 rating in the U.S.) was a major box-office success in its native Australia, and it made an overnight star of its leading man, Russell Crowe. Hando (Crowe) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who lash out with violence against the growing number of Asian immigrants settling in the country. While Hando and his partner Davey (Daniel Pollock) lead a bunch of brutal, half-bright thugs, they have convinced themselves that what they do is the noble work of saving Australia for Australians (or at least the white Australians who drove the aborigines into the outback). Into this milieu comes Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie), a troubled young woman who suffers from epilepsy and was raised in a sexually abusive environment. Gabe becomes something of a gang moll, dividing her time (and her sexual favors) between Hando and Davey, generating considerable tension between them. When the gang's favorite bar is purchased by a group of Vietnamese immigrants, Hando and Davey organize an all-out attack, little imagining that the Asians are ready and able to defend themselves. Romper Stomper was released in America in both its original, uncut form, and in an edited version that earned an R rating from the MPAA. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
A visually stylish but brutally violent film that manages to be both thoughtfully entertaining and viscerally effective despite its controversial subject matter, Geoffrey Wright's feature debut offers future mega-star Russell Crowe in a repulsively effective early performance. Sparking initial controversy for its alleged ambivalence regarding its protagonists' lifestyle, the vigilant viewer sees through this somewhat transparent attack upon witnessing the ultimate fate of the majority of the vicious gang. As with subsequent efforts such as American History X, however, Romper Stomper offers no easy answer or escape for the hateful protagonists, only the cold reality that you get out of life what you put into it. Positive or negative, nothing is spelled out for viewers in Wright's world, with fate speaking for itself in no uncertain terms. Don't be mistaken though, Wright's characters are decidedly human despite their grotesque beliefs and the horrific actions they result in. By laying the issue of race aside as the story progresses, the viewer is drawn into a universally human story, albeit one with startlingly violent consequences. Moving at a clip thanks to skilled editing and upbeat pacing, even viewers with initial hesitation are sure to be drawn into the story before they realize what hit them. In the end, anyone who accuses Romper Stomper of glorifying the lifestyle it portrays has simply been blinded by the subject matter. The message is indeed there, it's just that $Wright takes delight in making his audience work for it. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Daniel Wyllie; James McKenna - Bubs; Neil Foster - Skinhead in Plaster; Ann Morell - Barmaid; John Raaen - Plain Clothes Policeman; John Brumpton - Magoo; Don Bridges - Harold; Tony Lee - Tiger
Credit
Anna Borghesi - Costume Designer, Chris Odgers - First Assistant Director, Geoffrey Wright - Director, Bill Murphy - Editor, John Clifford White - Composer (Music Score), Christine Miller - Makeup, Steven Jones-Evans - Production Designer, Ron Hagen - Cinematographer, Elisa Argenzio - Production Manager, Ian Pringle - Producer, Daniel Scharf - Producer, Peter Stubbs - Special Effects, Geoffrey Wright - Screenwriter
Daniel Pollock, who plays Davey in the film, committed suicide before the film's release by jumping in front of a train. He had been struggling with heroin addiction, as well as the breakup of his romantic relationship with co-star Jacqueline McKenzie.[citation needed] Crowe wrote a song about the suicide called "The Night That Davey Hit the Train", which he performed with his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
After joining forces with another group of racist skinheads visiting from Canberra, Hando's gang beat up two Vietnamese youths. A third Vietnamese youth phones for help, and several car-loads of armed Vietnamese men descend on the skinheads. The Vietnamese men eventually outnumber the skinheads. after a couple of deaths on both sides the skinheads are forced to retreat to their rented warehouse (that is located on Bunbury Street right next to the Bunbury Street bridge), which the attackers set on fire.
The skinheads find a new base at a nearby warehouse after scaring off a group of squatters, and plan their revenge against the Vietnamese. Gabrielle suffers an epileptic fit, which repulses Hando. After she recovers, Gabrielle suggests that the gang burgle her father's mansion. They ransack the house, beating Martin up, smashing one of his cars and raiding his wine collection. Gabrielle tells Martin that the burglary is revenge for his years of abuse. Later she reveals to Davey her plan to take Hando away from his violent life. Martin eventually frees himself and uses a handgun to scare away the gang before they can take any of his property.
The next morning, Hando argues with Gabrielle and dumps her. As she storms off, Davey stops her and gives her the address of his grandmother, where he will be staying. She goes to a nearby phone booth and makes an anonymous call to the police, and then spends the night with Davey. Later the police raid the warehouse, killing the youngest skinhead when he waves a non-working gun at them. Hando, who is away from the rest of the group, watches from a distance and flees.
Arriving at Davey's flat, Hando finds his friend in bed with Gabrielle. Hando accuses her of selling them out, but Davey provides her with the alibi that they were together the whole time. Hando convinces Davey to stick by him, and the trio go on the run. During a service station robbery, Hando murders the attendant.
Driving all night, they stop near the Twelve Apostles. Gabrielle misinterprets a conversation between Hando and Davey to mean they are going to leave her behind and sets their getaway car on fire. She also admits to phoning the police. Hando attacks her, leading Davey to fight Hando and stab him in the neck with his Hitler Youth knife, killing him. The film ends with Davey cradling Gabrielle on the beach, watched by a busload of Japanese tourists.
