#Chopper movie movie#

It’s thrilling to see it 20 years on through a fresh lens. We had a fascinating character to portray and with Andrew’s bold direction and Eric’s incredible performance we created a classic that has stood the test of time. “But sometimes the most challenging experiences are the most rewarding. “Chopper was controversial in the making – biopics about notorious criminals are a tricky territory,” producer Michele Bennett said. The film is an insight into what life was like in Pentridge’s infamous H-division in the ’70s and the Melbourne underworld in the ’80s. He begins his journey as a wisecracking criminal failure inside a maximum-security prison but manages to twist his violent life into a story that fascinates and polarises both press and public. The son of a devoutly religious mother and one-time soldier with a fondness for sleeping alongside a loaded gun, Chopper dreams of making a name for himself as a legendary crime figure. The story is frightening, savagely funny and twisted. Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, in his feature directorial debut, Chopper stars Eric Bana as the title character – he was recommended for the role by Chopper himself – and co-stars Vince Colosimo, Simon Lyndon, Kate Beahan and David Field.

#Chopper movie movie#

“He loved the fact that this Australian movie had become a cult classic around the world, as well as launching the Hollywood career of Eric Bana.” “Bringing Chopper to the screen was one of Dad’s proudest achievements,” Matt Gudinski, CEO Mushroom Group, said. “ A normal bloke who likes a bit of torture!” “I’m just a bloody normal bloke,” he says in the movie. The passage of time has been kind to the film, and it makes the risks taken by all involved worthwhile.”Ĭhopper tells the story of the late Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read, real-life convict, bestselling author and self-proclaimed “national icon”. As a cinephile, I am excited by this very rare opportunity. There is now a whole generation of fans of the film who would never have had the chance to see it on the big screen. “It’s amazing to see the film being presented to cinemas again after 20 years. And it’s the film that turned Eric Bana into an international superstar. Produced by Pariah’s Michele Bennett with Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Pictures, Chopper is a bona fide Australian classic and a one-of-a-kind cinema experience.