Thursday, May 14, 2020

Movie review - "Mad Dog Morgan" (1976) ***

Bushranger stories never regained their pre 1912 popularity - those early films were made at a time not long after bushrangers were being captured and killed. But later works have their fans including this cult effort.

Morgan was a home grown Aussie but Philippe Mora imports Dennis Hopper and it was a marvelous stroke of luck. Hopper has X factor that someone like Martin Sheen (also considered) would have lacked.

Stunningly strong male cast - Jack Thompson, Michael Pate, Frank Thring, John Hargreaves (a little odd as a fop), Gulpilil. Female roles less strong.

Striking images. Beautifully shot. Could have been more violent to be honest. Not very suspenseful. A bit of a grab bag but consistently entertaining.

Film stacks deck very much in Morgan's favour - settlers killing Chinese, being brutal, Morgan being raped, etc - but Morgan is still a nutcase.

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