Woodyanders Review of Mad Dog Morgan

Mad Dog Morgan (1976)

Dennis Hopper excels in this superior Australian bushranger Western

[8/10 · 11 December 2009]

Australia in the 1850's. Irish miner Daniel Morgan (an electrifying live-wire performance of remarkable intensity and conviction by Dennis Hopper) is forced to become a highway robber out of total necessity. After serving six years hard time in a brutal prison, Morgan gets released and vows revenge on those who wronged him. Assisted by his loyal and amiable Aborignine best buddy Billy (a wonderfully engaging portrayal by David Gulpilil), Morgan becomes a legendary outlaw who's a folk hero to the people and a vehemently hated wanted criminal by the police. Writer/director Phillipe Mora does an expert job of relating this potent, gripping, and often exciting tragic tale of social barbarism and injustice: the brisk pace rarely let's up for a minute, the tone is appropriately tough and gritty, there's a vivid and flavorsome evocation of the Australian outback setting, the jarring outbursts of abrupt and savage violence pack a wicked punch, and the bold and provocative central theme of racism is tackled in a gutsy and confrontational manner. Hopper's fiery impassioned acting in the lead role is nothing short of astounding; Hopper really shows this volatile and unpredictable man in a warts and all fashion (the film scores extra points for depicting the rougher aspects of Morgan's character in an admirably stark and unsentimental way), yet still manages to make Morgan a sympathetic person. The supporting cast is likewise excellent, with stand-out contributions by Frank Thring as ruthless Superintendent Cobham, Bill Hunter as the vicious, determined Sergeant Smith, Jack Thompson as the shrewd, compassionate Detective Mainwaring, Michael Pate as the cocky Superintendent Winch, and Robin Ramsey as jolly photographer Roget. Mike Molloy's sumptuous widescreen cinematography offers plenty of striking shots of the beautiful Australian landscape. Patrick Flynn's moody score also hits the spot. Among the most memorable moments are Morgan's mistreatment at the hands of his foul fellow inmates in jail (these scenes are extremely harsh and harrowing to behold), a barmaid attempting to seduce Morgan in a saloon, and Morgan crashing a posh diner at a mansion. The friendship between Morgan and Billy is genuinely touching. Well worth seeing.