Romper Stomper catapulted Russell Crowe to international superstardom when it was released in 1992.
The New Zealand-born actor, 56, would then go on to land roles in major films such as Gladiator (2000) and a Beautiful Mind (2001), seeing himself secure his spot as one of Hollywood ‘s best-loved stars.
And the beloved star recently hid the headlines when he told people to return to the cinemas, following the industry taking a huge knock as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking about new movie Unhinged during film promotion, he said: “I’ve got a movie out.
“It’s called Unhinged. I’m not f**king with you. It’s called Unhinged, and it’s going to be in cinemas. Off you go.”
Marking the release of his new film, and celebrating his 28 years in the movie business, Daily Star Online has taken a look into the dark real-life story, which inspired his original movie, Romper Stomper.
Russell Crowe’s breakout role was in Romper Stomper
As well as being Russell’s first movie role, the Australian-produced drama film was also a first for Geoffrey Wright, who marked his directorial debut with Romper Stomper.
The premise of Romper Stomper details the exploits of a violent young neo-Nazi group in Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
After vandalising a shopping mall, the gang savagely beat two men, who are the sons of a Vietnamese business owner, who has just bought the local pub.
Russell Crowe played the lead role in the 1992 film
Fed up with the gang’s antagonism, a mob of angry Vietnamese men beat up several members of the neo-Nazi group.
Determined to seek revenge, the gang decide to arm themselves, which causes chaos within the group, and it is ultimately their demise, as chaos and bloodshed ensues.
Crowe plays Hando in the film, the gang leader, who is a violent and unpredictable psychopath.
Crowe’s role was inspired by real-life neo-Nazi, Dane Sweetman.
Russell Crowe has gone on to become one of Hollywood’s best-loved stars
Sweetman was a Melbourne-born neo-Nazi, who axe-murdered a fellow skinhead at a party to celebrate Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
Sweetman killed Adelaide man David Noble and hacked off his legs.
At the party, Noble, who was born in England, told Sweetman that they didn’t make women like his girlfriend in England, and could he borrow Sweetman’s girlfriend for the night.
Sweetman responded by embedding an axe in Noble’s head.
Russell Crowe recently encouraged people to get back to the cinemas
Fellow party-goer Darren Bayston then got a boning knife from the kitchen and stabbed Noble 18 times.
Noble’’ body was allegedly left in the backyard until morning when his legs were severed and the remains were put in a car boot, which were exposed of near the Yarra River at Kew.
Sweetman’s trial was one of the most memorable in Australian history, on account of its explosive nature.
Sweetman, who was out on bail for assault when the murder took place, was sentenced to 20 years with a minimum of 15 years for the murder of David Noble.
During the sentencing hearing at the Supreme Court on December 19 1991, Sweetman produced a prison “shiv”.
He said he wanted to use the knife to kill a police witness.
He yelled at the judge, Justice Philip Cummins: “If I wanted to kill someone, I’d do it now.”
Sweetman then shouted “Sieg heil” as police dragged him from the dock.
Shouting at two female reporters, who were sat on the media benches, he raged: “You Zionist maggots are going to get it.”
Justice Cummins ordered an immediate inquiry into how Sweetman was able to smuggle a knife into court.
Sweetman, who kept a diary in jail in which he allegedly boasted of his violent exploits, was allegedly released from prison in October 2005.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
