Mad Dog Morgan (1976)

Director:

Philippe Mora

Writers:

Margaret Carnegie (story)
Philippe Mora (writer)

Release Date:

9 July 1976 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | History | Western

Tagline:

In the autumn of 1865 the unique and notorious desperado, bushranger Dan Morgan, crossed the Murray River from New South Wales into Victoria to do battle with the law for the last time. What happened has been a secret for over 100 years. And so it should have been, if only to save face for the corrupt and hated colonial establishment of the day. This then is the fascinating tale, told for the first time, of the romantic and extraordinary villain they called Mad Dog Morgan.

Plot:

The true story of Irish outlaw Daniel Morgan, who is wanted, dead or alive, in Australia during the 1850s.

Plot Keywords:

Australia | Outlaw | Prison | Australian Aboriginal | 1800s

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Dennis Hopper	...	Daniel Morgan
Jack Thompson	...	Detective Mainwaring
David Gulpilil	...	Billy
Frank Thring	...	Supt. Cobham
Michael Pate	...	Supt. Winch
Wallas Eaton	...	MacPherson (as Wallace Eaton)
Bill Hunter	...	Sgt. Smith
John Hargreaves	...	Baylis
Martin Harris	...	Wendlan
Robin Ramsay	...	Roget
Graeme Blundell	...	Italian Jack
Gregory Apps	...	Arthur
Liza Lee-Atkinson	...	Barmaid
Elaine Baillie	...	Farm Girl
Don Barkham	...	Morrow

Also Known As:

Mad Dog
Mad Dog Morgan (USA)

Runtime:

USA:102 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:18 | Australia:MA (Special Edition DVD) | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Finland:K-16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

Mad Dog

Trivia:

The purple flowers in the fields are not wildflowers, but an invasive or noxious weed known variously as "Paterson's Curse' or 'Salvation Jane'. It is a European plant (Echium plantagineum - Purple Viper's Bugloss), native to western and southern Europe. It is also called Blueweed, Lady Campbell Weed or Riverina Bluebell.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In a farmhouse, a picture of a Tasmanian tiger or Thylacine is pointed out as being that of an extinct animal. The Thylacine did not become extinct until the 1930s.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008)

Troma DVD release made me mad!!!

The recent release of "Mad Dog Morgan" on Troma DVD is disappointing.This appears to be a censored print for television viewing. Some of the more violent scenes have been edited and portions of the colorful language have been removed. Anyone who viewed the film uncut will be mad as hell at this toxic DVD version. "Mad Dog Morgan" deserves to be released on DVD in the original theatrical cut. However, even as released on DVD, the film is still one of the better depictions of bushranger life in nineteenth century Australia. After having toured the Old Melbourne Gaol, with death masks of convicts on display, it is "Mad Dog Morgan" that comes to mind.