Watch Mad Dog Morgan
- R
- 1976
- 1 hr 39 min
-
6.1 (1,858)
Mad Dog Morgan is an Australian Western film from 1976 directed by Philippe Mora and stars Dennis Hopper, Jack Thompson and David Gulpilil. The film is based on the true story of Dan Morgan, a notorious bushranger in the late 1800s. The film opens with Dan Morgan (Dennis Hopper) in prison in a bare cell with a wall full of scrawled writing as he looks back on his life. The audience is then taken back to his youth and the various events and circumstances which led him to become a notorious criminal.
Dan's life took a turn for the worse when his land was seized by the government leaving him in poverty. He turned to hunting and selling horse meat but was soon attacked by thieves who he killed in self-defense. This started his descent into a life of crime as he became a bushranger, robbing travelers and banks and even murdering a police officer.
Throughout the film, Dan is pursued by Sergeant James Ryan (Jack Thompson), who becomes obsessed with bringing him to justice. Ryan is a complex character who is torn between his duty and his sympathy for Dan's plight. As Dan becomes more violent and unpredictable, Ryan becomes more determined to catch him, using whatever means necessary.
David Gulpilil plays the role of an Aboriginal tracker named Billy, who is working for the police to help catch Dan. Billy is a quiet and mysterious character who is both respected and feared. His tracking skills are invaluable to the police, but he is also sympathetic to Dan's plight and understands his struggle against the injustices inflicted upon him.
The film is beautifully shot and captures the harsh and rugged landscape of the Australian bush. The acting is superb, particularly by Dennis Hopper who gives a powerful and intense performance as Dan Morgan. Jack Thompson is excellent as the conflicted Sergeant Ryan, and David Gulpilil gives a nuanced portrayal of the Aboriginal tracker who is caught between two worlds.
Mad Dog Morgan is a gritty and realistic portrayal of life in the Australian bush in the late 1800s. The film explores themes of injustice, poverty, and exploitation, as well as the complex relationships between aboriginals and the white settlers. The film's portrayal of Dan Morgan is not romanticized, but instead shows the harsh realities of his life and the desperate measures he took to survive.
Overall, Mad Dog Morgan is a must-see film for fans of Westerns or Australian cinema. It is a powerful, intense, and thought-provoking film that will leave a lasting impression.
Mad Dog Morgan is a 1976 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.