Romper Stomper (1992)

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

Director:

Geoffrey Wright

Writer:

Geoffrey Wright

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Daniel Pollock, Jacqueline McKenzie

8 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Russell Crowe	...	Hando
Daniel Pollock	...	Davey
Jacqueline McKenzie	...	Gabe
Alex Scott	...	Martin
Leigh Russell	...	Sonny Jim
Dan Wyllie	...	Cackles
James McKenna	...	Bubs
Eric Mueck	...	Champ
Frank Magree	...	Brett
Chris McLean	...	Luke (as Christopher McLean)
Josephine Keen	...	Megan
Samantha Bladon	...	Tracy
Tony Lee	...	Tiger
John Brumpton	...	Magoo
Don Bridges	...	Harold

Storyline

Nazi skinheads in Melbourne take out their anger on local Vietnamese, who are seen as threatening racial purity. Finally the Vietnamese have had enough and confront the skinheads in an all-out confrontation, sending the skinheads running. A woman who is prone to epileptic seizures joins the skins' merry band, and helps them on their run from justice, but is her affliction also a sign of impurity?

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Plot Keywords:

skinhead | shot in the forehead | neo nazi | laundry drying on a clothesline | looking at a picture | 

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Taglines:

You've never seen anything like it.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brutality and violence, sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Hando was originally written for Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn. However, Mendelsohn did not look menacing when his head was shaved, whereas Russell Crowe had shaved his head, gotten into character, and had been persistently contacting Geoffrey Wright to reconsider his casting decision. When Wright decided Mendelsohn didn't have the look, the role went to Crowe.

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Quotes

Magoo: [after Jacqui drops a case of beer] What are you doin'? Why don't you keep your fuckin' mind on the fuckin' job, woman?

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Crazy Credits

The end credits roll over a sideways view of the beach that fades to gray and then to black.

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Alternate Versions

In the 2004 special edition DVD, the scene where Bubs is shot by the police has been slightly altered, it shows Bubs with the gunshot wound to the head with blood running into his right eye, previous prints just showed a wound to the center of his forehead with no blood.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Voiceless (2017)

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Soundtracks

Les pecheurs de perles
Composed by Georges Bizet

User Reviews

Definitely Worth Seeing

Romper Stomper takes great pains for an accurate depiction of the skinhead culture; the dress is perfect (except for the roles of the females of the crew) as well as the music; the overall movie captures the culture very well on those factual bases, and on the artistic fronts and aspects of the film the portrayel is also enjoyable, accurate, and sparks great thought.

The film demonstrates some very well-done action sequences; the thuggish violence that is seen throughout the film is very well crafted, and done in a manner that I found to be pleasing to anyone who likes realism (nothing cartoonish or over the top -- just shear teeth-clenching violence).

On top of the action sequences is a relatively intriguing story; however, the plot is never fully developed and there are certain parts of the story that interest you very much, yet you do not get to find out more. The film is very much worth watching though it has its' flaws. A very good film, overall, that gives you good action and some things for you to think about.

Mostly this film ought to be lauded for its' graphic depictions and its' attempts at accuracy (which greatly supersede most films). It is a very beautiful demonstration of Australian cinema (and proudly so) that is greatly underrated and underviewed. I advise anyone to watch this film.

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Vietnamese German Japanese

Release Date:

12 November 1992 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Romper Stomper

Filming Locations:

Footscray, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,233, 13 June 1993

Gross USA:

$175,340

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$175,340

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Victoria, Romper Stomper Pty. Ltd., Seon Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1