IMDb > Chopper (2000)
Chopper
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Videos (see all 5)
Chopper (2000) -- Chopper tells the intense story of Mark "Chopper" Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography while serving a jail sentence in prison. His book, "From the Inside", upon which the film is based, was a best-seller.
Chopper (2000) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   11,232 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 26% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Mark Brandon Read (books)
Andrew Dominik (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Chopper on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 August 2000 (Australia) more
Tagline:
Never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn. more
Plot:
Chopper tells the intense story of Mark "Chopper" Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography while serving a jail sentence in prison. His book, "From the Inside", upon which the film is based, was a best-seller. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
12 wins & 14 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(12 articles)
A-z Movie Reviews – C’s
 (From HeyUGuys. 4 November 2009, 5:00 AM, PST)

Eric Bana-nanza
 (From FilmExperience. 31 August 2009, 6:20 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Difficult, Fascinating and Fun more (137 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Eric Bana ... Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read
Simon Lyndon ... Jimmy Loughnan
David Field ... Keithy George
Daniel Wyllie ... Bluey (as Dan Wyllie)

Bill Young ... Detective Downie
Vince Colosimo ... Neville Bartos
Kenny Graham ... Keith Read

Kate Beahan ... Tanya
Serge Liistro ... Sammy the Turk
Pam Western ... Tanya's Mother
Garry Waddell ... Kevin Darcy
Brian Mannix ... Ian James
Skye Wansey ... Mandy
Annalise Emtsis ... Shazzy
Johnnie Targhan ... Paul the Bouncer (as Johnnie Targan)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Cinevex)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
As everyone probably knows, "Somewhere over the Rainbow", the original song to accompany the opening credits of "Chopper", was written especially for the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz (1939). Curiously, in L. Frank Baum's original stage version in 1903, the Tin Man was referred to as (Mick) Chopper. more
Goofs:
Continuity: At Tanya's house you see the car lights are on as Chopper goes to her front door. When he comes back and beats the car in frustration - they are off. more
Quotes:
Chopper: You don't much like me, do you Keithy? more
Soundtrack:
Forever Now more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
Difficult, Fascinating and Fun, 6 January 2004
Author: gpadillo from Portland, Maine

I have to disagree with those that say this is for Aussie's only. Chopper is an amazing piece of filmmaking in nearly every regard and goes beyond the limitations of vernaculars. I had to laugh at the review that dismissed it as sophomoric tripe and attempts supporting his argument citing the film's lack of realism in violence. Although based on a real man this is storytelling cinema not documentary. There is an obvious element of gross exaggeration in most of the scenes of violence in Chopper, which serve a purpose (or, more specifically, several purposes). Chopper is obviously incapable of telling the truth – or even hearing the truth.

It is, at first, difficult to figure out why so many are drawn to Chopper (and not at all difficult to see why so many wish him dead). Within the first few moments Eric Bana establishes Chopper's character in a way that reveals the off kilter charisma that some simply cannot resist. Those Chopper seems to get along with best are those on the periphery, those who don't invest too much whom he seems intent on impressing. Those too involved with him are locked into his doom because simply no one is able to keep up with the mythological figure Chopper has created himself (or tries create himself) into.

Darkly humorous, brutal, yet not without pathos the film rightly focuses on its central character and lives up to the unlikely hero's motto: never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn. "Chopper" is a fascinating film filled several amazing performances even in smaller roles (e.g., Jimmy's chain smoking, junkie, white trash, pregnant "fiancée" stumbling to the floor to pick up a sawed off shot gun in the hallway).

Not for everyone, but those who get this sort of thing will be richly rewarded.

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