IMDb 7.8 1976 HD

To Shoot a Mad Dog

To Shoot a Mad Dog

1976
Documentary
25 min NR USA
7.8 IMDB

A documentary about the making of the Australian feature Mad Dog Morgan (1976).

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director David Elfick
Starring
Dennis Hopper / Philippe Mora / David Gulpilil

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

insightful raw documentary production behind-the-scenes authentic creative challenging historical actors filmmaking Australian

Reviews

I
Imogen Croft
May 24, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of 'Mad Dog Morgan', serving as a valuable historical record. The presence of Dennis Hopper and David Gulpilil is notable, offering glimpses into their involvement. The direction, while aiming…

R
Reginald Davies
May 24, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

An unexpectedly engrossing deep dive into the heart of Australian filmmaking. 'To Shoot a Mad Dog' transcends a simple making-of featurette, offering a raw, almost ethnographic study of 'Mad Dog Morgan's' production. The direction captures the volatile energy…

B
Beatrice Sterling
May 24, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

As a retrospective on the making of 'Mad Dog Morgan', 'To Shoot a Mad Dog' offers a functional but not always engaging chronicle. The documentary’s strength lies in its subject matter: the raw materials of filmmaking, featuring key…

A
Arthur Pendelton
May 24, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This is an essential watch for cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers. 'To Shoot a Mad Dog' is a compelling documentary that dissects the creation of 'Mad Dog Morgan' with unflinching honesty. The performances captured are those of creators under…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 24, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

A fascinating, if somewhat niche, documentary. 'To Shoot a Mad Dog' serves as a candid look at the arduous process of bringing 'Mad Dog Morgan' to the screen. While the direction is functional, focusing on capturing the realities…

FAQs

The unique appeal of 'To Shoot a Mad Dog' lies in its meta-cinematic nature. It’s not merely a film but a document of creation, exploring the often-unseen labour and artistic decisions involved in bringing a feature film to life. By focusing on the production of 'Mad Dog Morgan', it offers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective that enriches our understanding of the filmmaking process itself, providing a different kind of cinematic engagement.