Romper Stomper (1992)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Geoffrey Wright

Writer:

Geoffrey Wright (writer)

Release Date:

12 November 1992 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

You've never seen anything like it.

Plot:

A group of skinheads become alarmed at the way their neighbourhood is changing.

Plot Keywords:

Skinhead | Vietnamese | Nazi | Sex | Face Slap

Awards:

8 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Russell Crowe	...	Hando
Daniel Pollock	...	Davey
Jacqueline McKenzie	...	Gabe
Alex Scott	...	Martin
Leigh Russell	...	Sonny Jim
Daniel Wyllie	...	Cackles
James McKenna	...	Bubs
Eric Mueck	...	Champ
Frank Magree	...	Brett
Christopher McLean	...	Luke
Josephine Keen	...	Megan
Samantha Bladon	...	Tracy
Tony Lee	...	Tiger
John Brumpton	...	Magoo
Don Bridges	...	Harold

Runtime:

94 min | South Korea:88 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Vietnamese | German | Japanese | Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Sweden:15 | Australia:R | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | France:-12 | Germany:18 (nf) | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Japan:R-15 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | South Korea:(Banned) (original rating) | South Korea:18 (cut) | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 | USA:R (cut) | Finland:K-18 (2003) | Finland:(Banned) (1993) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Footscray, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Commission, The

Trivia:

The words "Deutschland Erwache" on the Nazi banner in Hando's room is German for "Germany wake up". The banner looks exactly as they did in the Third Reich and was also originally designed by Adolf Hitler.

Quotes:

Magoo: [notices Jacqui eating a sandwitch] What are you eatin' that rubbish for?
[scoffs]
Magoo: Jes... I'm not living with no fat bitch!

Movie Connections:

References River's Edge (1986)

Soundtrack:

Pulling on the boots

Brutal and bleak viewing

Firstly, I'd like to start by saying that anyone who thinks this is somehow pro-racist or pro-skinhead has REALLY missed the point, thats if they've even seen it,that is. That would be like saying 'Saving Private Ryan' glorifies war, or 'Trainspotting' glorifies drugs.

It revolves around a bunch of lawless Australian skinheads, as they party to loud skrewdriver-esquire music, drink, fight (amongst each other as well as against the Vietnamese immigrants living nearby), cause mayhem..and so on so forth. They are living in a dilapidated old garage and scrounge off the system whilst hating it. They are portrayed as hopeless, angry lost kids held together by a psychopathic and violent leader;Hando Where to start with Hando, seriously, this is undoubtedly Russel Crowe's most unforgettable performance. Whether its his tattoo's, shaved head, unshaven face or cold eyed glare...you can't help but be drawn in by Hando. He is by far the most relentless and ruthless member of the gang, and during the film you wonder whether or not they'd even exist without him.

During the film, things take a turn for the worse, actually they take several turns for the worst...which has an increasingly negative effect on the gang.

I rated this film a 9, as it achieves what it sets out to do. Give the viewer a no-holds barred trip into the destructive lives of social outsiders, and the violence and hatred that follows. Not easy viewing, but I recommend this film to anyone who likes their movies gritty and upfront.