Set in gold rush-era Victoria, and based on a true story, this violent, rollicking portrayal of infamous Irish outlaw Dan Morgan (a bravura performance from an intense Dennis Hopper Easy Rider, Apocalypse Now) is a classic of Australia’s 70s cinema renaissance. A prospector who turns to crime and opium after failing at gold mining, Dan Morgan spends six brutal years in prison before terrorising country Victoria with a young Aboriginal, David Gulpilil (Walkabout, The Tracker). Having escaped into NSW, the bushranger and his accomplice easily dodge the police and mercilessly intimidate the wealthy land owners; but wracked by madness and a lust to avenge an earlier attack from an irate squatter, the notorious Mad Dog makes a perilous journey back into Victoria. Combining an all-star Australian cast, including Jack Thompson, Bill Hunter and John Hargreaves, with a brilliant Dennis Hopper who called the role one of his great life experiences – director Philippe Mora (Communion) creates one of the great period action dramas. —mcbastardsmausoleum.blogspot.com
Interesting Australian synthesis of Malick and the spaghetti Western. And yes, Dennis Hopper does seem high as a kite.
Crazy Oz exploitation flick from director Philippe Mora and producer Jeremy Thomas. Disjointed but always fascinating drama concerning the pursuit of outlaw Dan Morgan. Hopper gives a spell binding performance here only matched by Bill Hunter playing the prison guard/tracker assigned to find him dead or alive. Production quality hit and miss, think its actually the undertone of the film that makes it special.