Chopper

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Chopper

R

Released Aug 3, 2000

1h 34m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

America had Al Capone; England, the Kray brothers and Australia - proving once and for all its antipodean sense of humor - has Mark "Chopper" Read. "Chopper" is inspired by the books of Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, arguably Australia's most infamous former criminal. "Chopper" draws on police records, court transcripts, news coverage and interviews with people who knew Chopper Read.

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Critics Consensus

Eric Bana's performance as the charming but twisted Chopper is the highlight of this disturbing portrait about Australia's notorious author/criminal.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

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.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 25, 2022

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Chopper is a great film.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 23, 2022

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Tom Ryan

The Age (Australia)

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.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 27, 2021

Full Review

Victoria Luxford

City AM

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.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 4, 2022

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John Townsend

Starburst

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.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 29, 2022

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Andy Lea

Daily Express (UK)

Wisely, the film doesn't attempt to find a psychological explanation, instead playing it for black comedy.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 28, 2022

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J C

Throughout the entire film, I didn't really care about the characters or their (lack of) development; I still don't.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

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Gareth v

A raw, darkly comic, and disturbingly charismatic Australian crime biopic centered on the notorious outlaw Mark “Chopper” Read. Eric Bana delivers a career-defining performance that is magnetic from start to finish.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

Niko H

They hit the nail on the head with this one. Eric I think did a better job at being chopper than chopper did. Seriously tho if you can get past the dialogue, which is something that never bothered me. In fact it makes it that much more Entertaining with the accent & lingo, if you give it a chance maybe 2 you will have yourself an instant classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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Johnathon W

Solid crime caper that is anchored mostly by Eric Bana's brilliant lead performance. Bana made his breakthrough performance with this role, playing Chopper as a complicated criminal, one who stabs a man in the face but then apologizes afterwards. At one point, he even drives a man who shot to the hospital so he doesn't bleed to death. You never really feel sorry for him, as he is a violent sociapath but you are fascinated by him. Behind the camera, writer/director Andrew Dominik delivers an interesting biography on one of Australia's most notorious criminals and never sugar coats what he does. However, its low budget does show and feels more like a TV movie over a film. Just an entertaining watch, thanks to Bana's performance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

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Professor X

Eric Bana’s industry premiere masterwork is about as stunning and memorable as many top tier films, but most of those don’t have the replay value or the character charisma as Chopper. Whatever you do, don’t miss this one. Brilliant.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

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Jeremy A

Great criminal movie. True to life. Google the story. Watch his interviews. 4*

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

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Andrew Dominik

Director

Eric Bana

Mark "Chopper" Read

Vince Colosimo

Neville Bartos

Simon Lyndon

Jimmy Loughnan

Kate Beahan

Tanya

David Field

Keithy George

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Synopsis

America had Al Capone; England, the Kray brothers and Australia - proving once and for all its antipodean sense of humor - has Mark "Chopper" Read. "Chopper" is inspired by the books of Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, arguably Australia's most infamous former criminal. "Chopper" draws on police records, court transcripts, news coverage and interviews with people who knew Chopper Read.

Director: Andrew Dominik
Producer: Michele Bennett
Screenwriter: Andrew Dominik
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., First Look
Production Co: Pariah Films, Mushroom Pictures
Rating: R (Some Drug Use|Pervasive Language|Nudity|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 3, 2000, Original
Release Date (DVD): Nov 13, 2001
Box Office (Gross USA): $234.3K
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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