Chopper is a 2000 Australian crime-drama film based on the life of notorious criminal Mark "Chopper" Read. The movie was directed by Andrew Dominik and stars Eric Bana in the title role.
The film follows Chopper's life from his early days as a standover man and bank robber in the 1970s to his imprisonment in the 1990s. Along the way, we see his violent and unpredictable nature, as well as his relationships with other criminals, including his longtime friend Jimmy Loughnan (Simon Lyndon) and his archenemy Neville Bartos (Vince Colosimo).
Chopper also portrays Read's time in prison, where he wrote his bestselling autobiography, from which the film takes its inspiration. In particular, the movie focuses on Chopper's relationship with his prison psychotherapist (David Field), who becomes his confidante and helps him come to terms with his violent past.
Throughout the film, Bana delivers a gripping and chilling performance as Chopper, capturing both the character's charm and his brutality. The movie received critical acclaim upon its release and is now considered a classic of Australian cinema.