Mad Dog Morgan (1976)

"I'm a tired stranger." - Morgan

Based on the true story of an outlaw surviving in Australia.
Starring: Dennis Hopper, David Gulpilil, Jack Thompson, Frank Thring

Link to IMDB

Australia had a gold rush in the 1850's, which lured prospectors from around the globe to seek their fortune in the outback. One such adventurer was the Irish man, Daniel Morgan.

Like all people living the tough life on a wild frontier, Morgan is surrounded by danger, bigotry and chaos. After being a victim of poor circumstance, he resorts to highway robbery so that he can get some food and clothing. When brought in front of a judge for his crime, Morgan is given no mercy and sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony.
He soon discovers that life in prison is even worse, as he faces torture, rape and constant hard labour. Luckily, Morgan's will to survive is indomitable, and after six years of good behaviour he is released on parole.

With no money or family in his life, he roams the wilderness and becomes a professional thief to survive. After getting wounded in a gun fight, Morgan's life is saved by an aboriginal man named Billy, and the two men develop a close friendship as they decide to travel together.


Morgan's crimes begin to gain him some notoriety, and the law places a bounty on his head which leads to a party of policemen hunting for him. Morgan and Billy are wily men though, and they elude capture and continue their spree. The local farmers and hunters actually begin to view Morgan as a hero to the downtrodden, as he lives free and careless, not restrained by the laws of civilization.
Superintendent Cobham begins to form a personal vendetta against Morgan, wanting to find him at any cost and chop his head off, so he sends out an army of men hellbent on making sure Morgan is stopped.

"I want his spleen on my desk by sundown." - Cobham

Billy                                                                           Cobham

This is a movie of dirt and blood. It's a gritty and brutal portrayal of a man struggling to find his place in a world that doesn't want him. Taking place over a few years time, we watch as Morgan begins to tire of the outlaw lifestyle. Despite being a thoughtful and (usually) gentle man, the years of abuse and violence have left him disturbed, and he becomes deranged when he drinks. As the law presses closer, he begins to retreat from hope with the realization of what his life has become.

Since the plot is sporadic it works more as a character study, but Dennis Hopper's performance effortlessly holds it all together. He fully commits to the role, swinging between the extremes of unrestrained vigor and tragic human pathos.
Sometimes beautiful, sometimes ugly, Mad Dog Morgan is a classic ozploitation western, and Hopper makes it even more worthwhile to see.

Be sure not to miss:
- Nothing adds insult to injury like getting beat with raw intestines.
- The man on fire in Morgan's dream is stuntman Grant Page. I learned from Stunt Rock that the stunt went horribly wrong but they used the footage anyways. No one got hurt, but it looks wild.

Internet review:
"One of Australia's finest films." - Gibron

Should I watch it?
Recommended.

Where can I find it?
Two choices on YouTube. Here and Here.
When Troma got the distribution rights they used a different aspect ratio, so take your pick.

Mad Dog Morgan gets...