Romper Stomper (1992) User Reviews

Obviously this is popular now for its star, but it deserves more...

[jheisel · 8/10 · 4 April 2001]

Romper Stomper is enjoying renewed interest due to the current fame of its star, Russell Crowe, but the movie stands on its own regardless.

Crowe plays the leader of a violent group of racist skinheads, who are upset over Vietnamese immigrants in their neighborhood. There are quite a few clashes, a love story, and betrayal all wrapped up in a disturbing package.

While watching Romper Stomper I found myself sympathizing with at least one of the racist characters, even though my views are far from his -- it's just that well written and acted.

There aren't a lot of surprise in this film, but the surprises that exist are truly interesting and plausible. This does not mean that the movie is cliche and boring, though -- it presents its ideas in an interesting fashion with well-written and directed acting.

Love and hate among head-kickers

[Chase_Witherspoon · 7/10 · 4 October 2012]

One of the better Australian movies to emanate from the 90's stars Russell Crowe before home-wrecking, hotel telephones and Oscars as an aggressive skinhead (Hando) whose relationship with best friend Daniel Pollock (Davy) sours over the ever-escalating brand of racism he practices, and the presence of Jacqueline Mackenzie's character with whom both are involved - Crowe's neglect paves the way for Pollock's advances and so the rivalry emerges.

Apart from Crowe (who is essentially monotone in-character) and Mackenzie as a misguided rich kid rebelling in the extreme, only Sam Wyllie is recognisable as one of the motley crew. Though Pollock could have potentially become a recognisable actor, tragically his life ended prematurely shortly following this film.

Generally, like a great many Australian pictures, "Romper Stomper" is edgy and raw, and the content of the film is fairly uncompromising in its violent and sometimes graphic detail (read nudity). This all bodes well if you're comfortable with the subject matter as you shouldn't be disappointed.

compelling violent characters

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 30 April 2015]

In Melbourne, neo-nazi skinheads led by Hando (Russell Crowe) and Davey (Daniel Pollock) attack the local Vietnamese population. Gabrielle (Jacqueline McKenzie) was sexually abused by her father Martin (Alex Scott). She catches the attention of Hando. When they find their local bar being bought out by Vietnamese, they beat them up drawing in a Vietnamese mob. The skinheads are sent running after a bloody battle. Gabrielle has an epileptic fit. Hando wants guns to take revenge. Gabrielle suggests robbing her father's place.

There is a sloppiness in Geoffrey Wright's direction but the story's edginess and violence make it a compelling watch. It's a star creating performance from Russell Crowe. He has terrific on screen charisma. McKenzie has a damaged beauty. The violence is the biggest star of this movie. The story does meander but it never loses the tension or interest. There is also a real life tragedy of Pollock's suicide after the filming.

Fighting for Survival, Power

[corporateslave · 11 October 2004]

I'm sure people may have dismissed this movie as a nazi tribute to white power. On the contrary, it gives an excellent picture of what happens when powerless people try to find some control over their lives. Nazi-ism itself is scapegoating and blame disguised as fascism, and this movie uses it to paint a picture of desolation and desperation.

White power and immigrant-hatred are not what this movie is about. It's about friendship and the need to belong to something. Russell Crowe's Hando is powerful - I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Hando uses that magnetism to draw people into his ideology, thus creating control and power for himself. Things begin to unravel when Gabe, the girl who comes between Hando and Davey, throws off the hold Hando has enjoyed over his little crowd. Remember what Orwell says: Absolute Power corrupts absolutely? Well, so does arrogance. Arrogance and the lack of respect for one's fellow man, regardless of race or creed, are key players in this plot.

I wish there had been more of Davey (Daniel Pollock) in this film, and I'm sorry to have learned of his real-life suicide in the weeks after it's completion. I recommend this film to people who are interested in how poverty, ignorance, and powerlessness change people into strange earthly demons capable of indiscriminate violence.

NOW we know why Russell Crowe likes to fight...

[mutcutts · 6/10 · 11 February 2004]

Wow. This was recommended by a coworker and I must say I liked this film. Especially the gang war sequence. There's about 15 minutes straight of brutal violence and with NO guns. Awesome. Good backstory as well with a bizarre love triangle, parental molestation, and epilepsy. The whole thing fits together in a neat little package and is essential viewing for any Crowe fans who want to see some of his earlier work. 7/10....

Pure, Raw Intensity

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 26 November 2012]

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

So this was Russell Crowe's breakout performance? Being a tough guy who beats people up? Sounds about right, at least as far as his image is generally concerned.

I do not have much to say about this one. It lies on a plane somewhere between "A Clockwork Orange" and "American History X", with the racism turned against the Vietnamese rather than African-Americans. I know nothing about racial tension in Australia, so I cannot comment on this aspect -- I did not know they had a Neo-Nazi movement, even a small one.

An excellent film that is both interesting and disturbing.

[markguszak · 10/10 · 12 August 2000]

Every thing about this movie is unique, right down to the 16mm film that they used to shoot it. Even though it was filmed in 1992, it has the look a an early 80's film. I defy you not to think about A Clockwork Orange as you watch it.

Some people have said that the film glorifies skinheads. I would have to ask those people, WHAT FILM WERE YOU WATCHING? This film presents skinheads and their society and says this is the way it is. It does not glorify, nor does it jump on a soapbox. Not to tip anything off, but by the end of the film I don't think there are going to be too many people saying "being a skinhead is a wonderful life." In fact, I think that is why the film is so good. The subject matter is not black and white, it is very gray. Skinheads exist for a reason, they do things for a reason. The reasons might sound immoral to us, but the world is made up of different types. In fact, most of the movie deals with Hando (Russel Crowe) trying very hard to hold his skinhead bunch together. However, the destructive nature of the characters is bringing about the destruction of their lifestyle.

The performances in this film are great. In particular, Daniel Pollock is great as Davey. I was very saddened to hear that he died right after this movie. He is often silent during the film, but his facial expressions are very powerful. For anyone that is interested in examining some of the darker groups that wander around this world, Romper Stomper has a very interesting one for you to look at.

Oi! Aussie skinheads romp and stomp.

[BA_Harrison · 7/10 · 12 August 2006]

Skinheads—love 'em or loathe 'em, you can't ignore them; and if you tried, they would kick your head in!

Russell Crowe gives a bravura performance as Nazi-loving Hando, leader of a gang of racist thugs hell-bent on giving a good drubbing to the immigrants that have taken over his neighbourhood. Romper Stomper is a brutal and uncompromising look at the ugly face of prejudice and the futility of anger and violence.

Hando's gang are a seething mass of hate and ignorance, lashing out at those they do not understand. The inevitable result is pain and suffering (and not just for those who get their heads cracked by the bovver-booted bully boys). No-one is allowed a happy ending in this film; everyone winds up dead, nearly dead or at least getting a good pasting.

With excellent performances from all involved, this disturbing look at youth and blind hatred is compelling and well worth a look.

Russell Crowe at his best.

[markguszak · 10/10 · 27 June 2001]

This film will stay with you for quite awhile. It tells the story of Hando (Crowe) and his best mate Davey. Both are Skinheads in the Melbourne area, 1980's. Hando and Davey's lives revolve around collecting Nazi relics and attacking Orientals that have chosen to live in Australia. The two are very tight and big believers in the cause, keep Australia free of outsiders. However, when a girl enters the picture, one will start to see that life is more than just mindless violence and the other will go mad as he sees that his small group of Skins cannot change the fate of his country. This film is not preachy and does not come across as black and white. Both Hando and Davey have positive and negative traits. Instead, the picture tries to show what motivates Skins in doing what they do. The film has some violence, but only in attempt to show how pointless violence is. In my opinion, this is Crowe's finest performance. Moreover, the actor that played Davey is brilliant as well (sadly, he died shortly after the film was finished). If you want to see an excellent historical lesson about hate and how it destroys, see Romper Stomper.

Excellent acting and a well made film, but the significance...

[starving_college_student · 7/10 · 9 April 2008]

I remember hearing back when this came out that one of the actors gave a stellar performance. Years down the line I finally get around to seeing Romper Stomper, and that actor is international superstar Russell Crowe! And he does give quite a excellent performance (on par with everything he has made since). Actually everyone gave very believable and riveting performances with the very controlled and well timed direction of Geoffrey Wright. Overall the production and story are above par and it is very easy to get sucked in to everything. But I had to wonder what the overall purpose of the main characters being neo-nazi skinheads was. Although there was a sense of futileness to all the racial violence happening, there didn't seem to be a statement at the root of the film. The story starts as a look at a pack of skinheads and ends as a human story of two friends and the girl that finally helped the follower become the leader in their relationship. The fact that they were skinheads did not seem to have relevance to the core story, the two friends could have been mere thieves, part of a gang or even wall street moguls and the story could have taken the same route. So in the end I was left wondering, "What was the point of adding the racial card if there was no statement being made?" Nevertheless, Romper Stomper was a riveting movie that portrays the self-destructiveness that results from hatred with some excellent performances by the leads.

CROWE

[kevin c · 5/10 · 29 March 2000]

I caught this film, mainly as a consequence of Crowe's brilliance in 'The Insider'. Once again Crowe is very good. The film correctly takes a fairly neutral stance. You understand the boredom and suppression the Skins feel. Likewise the anger of the Vietnamese. Anti-Nazis attack the film for not taking a position, but the director credits his audience with having the intelligence to make their own decisions. In a free society it is unavoidable that some far-right numbskulls will play the violent scenes over and over again. However,the rest of us will be left with an intelligent insight into working-class Australia.

Definitely Worth Seeing

[jmverville · 9/10 · 2 November 2003]

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.

Seen better and seen worse.

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 18 August 2002]

I rented this film to see Russell Crowe, and found this low budget film okay. Crowe doesn't steal the movie, and the film is strong in parts. After watching it, I found the film unrememberable, because it is neither great nor awful. 6/10

More Like Romper Room

[SheBear · 2/10 · 3 December 2004]

The skinheads never stood a chance. As my friend pointed out during the home invasion scene ' these people are all borderline retarded.' Romper Stomper shows us that Nazi skinheads are just big ADD suffering children looking for the next minority to use as a punching bag until their Ritalin kicks in.

It's difficult to imagine that Australians were shocked by this film. In 2004 it's hard to take it seriously. The direction and acting are amateurish. There is even a scene in which the main girl stands still and pulls at her hair while chaos careens around her. The redeeming value of Romper Stomper is that it contains a lot of unintentional humor.

Hando AKA Russell Crowe, subscribes to the Clockwork Orange philosophy of the higher the pants the harder the man. The mild menace that he established at the start of the film went sharply downhill once he appeared in a pair of tighty whiteys that look like they were meant for an eight year old

Nice 'n' Gritty!

[HailSanta · 23 July 2004]

I wish I had seen it earlier when it was on TV. Finally just got round to watching it on recommendation from a mate. I've never actually seen a Crowe film, Gladiator has now become a priority due to his performance in this. I have to say that it's not often a film will make me cringe, neither is it often that a film will have me so emotionally engrossed with the characters as ROMPER STOMPER did. It's hard to explain, but even though I hated what the characters stood for, I couldn't help but cheer them on! It's nice to see a film which doesn't just portray the 'goodies'. My favorite scenes are the party, the rich man's house and of course the mammoth battle. An excellent film which definitely makes it into my all time favorite flicks...9/10

A brutal work with a powerful performance from Crowe.

[dead47548 · 7/10 · 8 January 2008]

A brutally realistic work that depicts the true nature of skinheads years before American History X. And Romper Stomper has much more of an impact on the viewer because of it's extreme realism. American History X takes some of most brutal scenes of all time and just makes them look like silly Lifetime specials by slowing it all down and making everything melodramatic. Romper Stomper does the opposite, it films everything as it happens, making it one of the most disturbingly realistic works I've ever seen. Also, unlike other films about skinheads, Romper Stomper takes a completely unbiased look at their culture. Instead of showing everyone has rude, inconsiderate miscreants and then centering the film on the one person who is above at all, this film displays their culture for what it really is. A realistic look at the skinheads, instead of an over-dramatic look at the struggle one person makes to get out. Russell Crowe is disturbingly natural, fully absorbed and overwhelmingly commanding in his greatest performance of all time. Never have I seen Crowe become a character so well. He completely wraps his mind around this man and scares the hell out of me during his most violent scenes. The soundtrack also plays a vital part to the film. It's punk rock, hard-hitting sound really makes the viewer feel like they are with these skinheads and ready, to put it simply, to kick some ass. This all being said, the editing can get pretty sloppy and sketchy at times and the sound (primarily the sounds of the hits in the opening scene) are pretty poor at times. Gabe's story also felt a bit unnecessary, but I suppose it did have key plot points to move the story along. The whole thing with her dad though, really could have been left out. The ending is also pretty terrible. For such a natural, realistic film I wouldn't expect such an annoyingly unrealistic ending.

Despite The Controversy It's A Slightly Empty Affair

[Theo Robertson · 7/10 · 21 July 2013]

This hit the headlines in Britain when upon its initial release in London the Anti-Nazi League picketed cinemas showing it because ... well it gives that lot something to do . The fact that there's something inversely fascist in this by screaming " Fascist " or " Nazi " at someone doing something rabidly oppressive such as paying money to watch a film is lost on some people . At least London allowed the film to be shown unlike a few councils in Britain such as Glasgow city council who outright banned the film from being shown in cinema chains in the city . I'm guessing the thinking behind this is down to it being used as a recruiting campaign for far right groups ? Remind me what scene in this film promotes fascism in any way ?

Now that the ill founded controversy has died down ROMPER STOMPER is the film best known for a power house breakthrough performance by Russell Crowe who at the turn of the century was quite possibly the best known movie star in the world . It wasn't just his acting he was known for and would often make headlines being a little too free with his fists and seeing Crowe in this movie all those years ago led me to ask if Crowe wasn't using too much acting skill as a violent thug . As good as Crowe is it's the performance of Jacqueline McKenzie and the late Daniel Pollock that probably stand the test of time

Despite the memorable performances ROMPER STOMPER is a rather empty and unconvincing movie . It tries to be a gritty realist film but its constant use of an Oi soundtrack negates this . The production team didn't want to pay royalties to Neo-Nazi bands such as Skewdriver so that's two fingers up to both the Nazis and the anti-Nazis so congratulations to the production team for that . But the storytelling is a bit confusing it's got elements of a doomed love triangle but is in no way a twisted love story . Indeed the characters are difficult to buy in to and give the impression they're mere plot devices there to build up a story and have their world collapse around them as things go wrong . Perhaps this is why I thought the film tries to make a point of family and belonging but everything ends up becoming so confused that it's difficult to see what the point the film is trying to make . It's a good film in parts and you'll remember certain scenes such as the " fourth Reich fighting men " chase but at the end of the day ROMPER STOMPER is a rather empty film

Brutal and bleak viewing

[Jakethemuss · 9/10 · 22 June 2007]

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.

Romper Stomper

[JoeytheBrit · 6/10 · 28 March 2006]

This is the kind of film that the reactionary media love to get their teeth into. I remember when it was first released in the UK how the Daily Mail held it up as evidence of the failing moral standards of the nation, and called for it to be banned. They were unsuccessful, and the furore quickly died. Despite the Mail's publicity, the film only did limited business and was quickly forgotten. Chiefly notable now for an early starring role for Russell Crowe, Romper Stomper looks older than it actually is. It looks like it was filmed in the late 70s or early 80s, and the use of 16mm film belies the film's tiny budget.

Geoffrey Scott's debut story focuses on a gang of Melbourne-based skinheads who lead lives of aimless violent debauchery. Led by the fiercely intelligent Hando (Crowe), they savagely beat a couple of Vietnamese who have bought their local pub, only to find themselves besieged by half the Asian community and forced to hide from both them and the police. A sub-plot features a love triangle between Hando, Gabe - a rich girl who briefly takes up with the gang - and Davey (Daniel Pollock), Hando's best mate. Some subtle interplay between Hando and Davey, in which more significance is given to what is not spoken between them, provides the convergence of an entire homo-erotic subtext, but also serves to distract both the viewer and the film itself from its main subject matter. As this menage-a-trois is not particularly well-handled, the film suffers badly as a result, and the visceral energy and insight of its first half is lost by the time of its conclusion.

The use of music and the lawless street-gang milieu invite comparison with Kubrick's Clockwork Orange but, while there are obvious similarities, Romper Stomper pales in comparison. Crowe leads a cast that deliver surprisingly polished performances and he does well in a role that offers little in the way of character development once we learn Hando's dangerously skewed ideology, but he manages to suggest the intelligence that lurks beneath the brutish exterior with just a brooding look off-screen.

Romper Stomper will never be a classic, and will appeal to only a narrow audience but, if it is your kind of movie, it is worth ninety minutes of your time.

Into the Heart of Darkness?

[c_hookham · 10/10 · 25 June 2003]

Caused a lot of controversy in Oz and here in the UK when first released in 1992 and its not that difficult to see why. This is is no American History X with its somewhat 'weekend' boneheads who still live with mummy and hold down jobs or attend school. Hando and his crew live outside society with no outside control or scrutiny of their actions.There is no attempt by the makers to moralise on what Hando and co get upto, they simply show how it is with Neo-nazi groups

Russel Crowe's depiction of Hando surely ranks as one of the greatest portrayals of pure menacing evil ever and the fight scenes are brilliantly staged and edited. For a companion film to this I'd recommend viewing 'Ultra', an Italian language film that follows a group of football thugs in a similar way.

Controversial, Disturbing and Good

[Tweetienator · 7/10 · 22 November 2020]

A great, interesting, and sometimes disturbing movie with a young Russell Crowe showcasing his skills (the whole cast does well). The movie is controversial and sometimes very violent, but I really don't understand how some reviewers or critics come to the conclusion that it glorifies Nazi skinheads - I have come to the opposite conclusion easy. Anyway, I would recommend watching Romper Stomper and make up your own mind if you are interested in this kind of movie (e.g. American History X, This Is England, Un Français etc.). In my opinion, this is a good one.

Australian critic David Stratton called this film "'A Clockwork Orange' without the intellect".

[Spleen · 4/10 · 31 July 2001]

He was wrong, apart from the "without the intellect" bit.

Geoffrey Wright has the honour of making the same mistake Tolstoy did, in the war bits of "War and Peace". Tolstoy wanted to show a number of things about war: that it was confusing, that it was governed, for the most part, by sheer contingency, that the tedious to-and-fro muddle on the battlefield bore little relation to the clean strategies of the generals, etc. So he produced muddled, tedious, random, repetitive DESCRIPTIONS of battle. No doubt he conveyed exactly what he wanted to convey. But it was still bad art. ("Anna Karenina" is "War and Peace" without the war, and hence a much better book.)

Wright wants us to show us that a neo-Nazi skinhead's life is an unmotivated shambles. So what kind of film did he make? You guessed it. Tolstoy was a good enough writer to write well in spite of himself, but Wright isn't a good enough film-maker; all he can do is make a competent, dismal film that seemed impressive in its day because it was "unflinching" - as if that's a virtue.

haunting....

[witster18 · 10/10 · 17 September 2012]

There is so much good stuff going on in this one.

The look of the film: It's gritty, and while you can tell it was lower-budget, the film reeks of quality in terms of the shots/overall cinematography. 16mm really did nothing but add to the realism of this one.

The story:It's chock-full of interesting characters. Some good. SOme evil. And some that want to go from one side to the other, but can't.

The sound: Amazing. The music is powerful. Especially in the final scene where the music will stay with you for long after the credits end.

The acting: First rate across the board. These people could have been real for all I know.

This film will divide audiences because of it's subject matter, but it's one of the best, lesser-known, low-budget foreign offerings you're likely to see. The current 6.8 rating is an absolute travesty. I was expecting to see about 7.8, and that's why I decided to write this review.

This is a disturbing film, and one that I can highly recommend.

It IS better than American History X.

86/100

You Might Like THis if you Liked: American History X(good, but not as good), THe Boys Next Door(perhaps the last time a low-budget, dramatic film disturbed me this much - not as good as this though), American Me(not quite as good as this), Boyz in the Hood(better), Tzameti 13(not as good).

Russel Crowe

[k-schwertl92 · 7/10 · 5 August 2013]

You liked Heath Ledgers Joker, then you might also be scared shitless by Russel Crowes flawless performance as the main antagonist in this outstanding story about hate. I mean just look at him. Just the simple way he moves and stares at the others and his sudden rage attacks. Damn what a performance.

The film itself is really enjoyable/entertaining. This film crosses many lines, with its realistic, harsh tone. It sucks you right into its atmosphere, which can be really depressing in some parts as it does its job so well. And thats good for a film like that. the only bad thing about ROMPER STOMPER is the kind of boring second half. Surely its not a bad second half, it just feels so empty, but well nothing is perfect.

I wouldn't recommend this film for educational reasons. If you are a teacher and you wanna teach your students about racism you better stick with American History X as the moral seams to be a little bit more focused on the subject.

But anyways, check it out.

not stomping my romp

[ame_sobre_vida · 4/10 · 9 December 2002]

Romper Stomper accomplishes 2 things. It illustrates how hate can drive people to obsession and dependency on expressing their hatred. It also shows that Russell Crowe is an unbelievable actor. Action movies can be successful if the violence serves a purpose. In American History X, a man gets brutally raped, a man gets his face crushed in on a curb; but it serves to emphasize the need for change and where hate got them which leads into a brilliant conclusion. This movie portrays hate, but no redemption. It makes the audience think "now what?." Russell Crowe was great, but not good enough to Stomp my Romp.