Chopper (2001)
87%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: 12 wins & 14 nominations
Chopper is a film that truly encapsulates the essence of Australian cinema, with its gritty and unapologetic portrayal of the infamous criminal Mark “Chopper” Read. Eric Bana’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary, and the film’s strategic blend of comedy and cruelty is both unsettling and captivating. While some may find the excessive violence and dark humor off-putting, it is precisely these elements that make Chopper a must-watch for those who appreciate bold and daring filmmaking. Overall, Chopper is a masterpiece that continues to stand the test of time and solidify its place in the canon of Australian cinema.
If you’re in the mood for a film that’s equal parts violent and hilarious, then Chopper is the movie for you. Eric Bana delivers a powerhouse performance as the infamous Australian criminal Mark “Chopper” Read, and the film’s blend of comedy and cruelty will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sure, some critics might call it “unsettling” or “provocative,” but we just call it a damn good time. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready for a wild ride with Chopper.
Production Company(ies)
1+2 Seisaku Iinkai Atom Films, Atom Films,
Distributor
Image Entertainment Inc., First Look
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2000
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 34m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 3, 2000 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2001
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Eric Bana, Vince Colosimo, Simon Lyndon, Kate Beahan, David Field, Dan Wyllie, directed by Andrew Dominik, written by Andrew Dominik, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kevin Maher, Peter Bradshaw, Tom Ryan, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Gary Dowell, Marc Savlov, James Luxford, John Townsend, Andy Lea, Dulcie Pearce, Leigh Paatsch, R MPAA rating, Mark “Chopper” Read, Australia, criminal, police records, court transcripts, news coverage, interviews, Michele Bennett, Image Entertainment Inc., First Look, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Worldwide gross: $309,369
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $536,574
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,722
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 58,514
US/Canada gross: $236,185
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $409,643
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,377
US/Canada opening weekend: $15,044
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $26,093
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,423
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): A$5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Vince Colosimo – Neville Bartos
Simon Lyndon – Jimmy Loughnan
Kate Beahan – Tanya
David Field – Keithy George
Dan Wyllie – Bluey
Self – Andrew Dominik (Director/Writer)
Michele Bennett – Producer
Director(s)
Andrew Dominik
Writer(s)
Andrew Dominik
Producer(s)
Michele Bennett
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
12 wins & 14 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (80) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (61) | Rotten (19)
This biographical drama about the exploits and prison years of the Australian criminal Mark “Chopper” Read, is a must watch for students of screen acting.
March 25, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Chopper is a great film.
March 23, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The film’s strategic blend of comedy and cruelty is constantly unsettling, simultaneously inviting us to laugh at Read’s antics and then rubbing our faces in their outcomes.
August 27, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Ryan
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Chopper is more than a vehicle for Bana’s extraordinary performance; it’s an immaculately crafted masterpiece of Australian cinema that feels as fresh, energetic and provocative today as it was the day it was released.
August 25, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
ABC Radio (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
The fact that Chopper is so engrossing and effective stems from the powerful performance of Eric Bana.
August 2, 2001
Gary Dowell
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
You wonder why anyone even bothered.
June 25, 2001 | Rating: 2/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
The type of gritty independent film that isnt made anymore, besides the odd self-conscious copycat. Chopper is still delightful cinematic anarchy, with Bana offering a masterful performance that he hasnt matched since.
April 4, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
James Luxford
City AM
Chopper is an intriguing film, one that challenges the viewer through unpredictable, often excessive violence set against a palate of folksiness and sporadic black humour.
March 29, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
John Townsend
Starburst
Wisely, the film doesn’t attempt to find a psychological explanation, instead playing it for black comedy.
March 28, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Andy Lea
Daily Express (UK)
It’s violent and shocking, but darkly funny.
March 25, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Dulcie Pearce
The Sun (UK)
At the very least, if the movie has you asking “why would I even give this ugly excuse for a human being the time of day?”, then it has truly done its job.
October 29, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
The film ends on a surprisingly poignant note, making this film a car wreck worth ogling all the way through. If you like your prison dramas bloody and black with humor, this is for you.
October 26, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Amy Bracken Sparks
Cleveland Free Times…
Plot
Chopper tells the intense story of Mark “Chopper” Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography while serving a murder sentence in prison. His book, From the Inside, upon which the film is based, was a best-seller.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels highlights Eric Bana’s performance as the charming but twisted Chopper as the highlight of the film.
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