Mad Max (1979)

A vengeful Australian policeman sets out to avenge his partner, his wife and his son whom were murdered by a motorcycle gang in retaliation for the death of their leader.

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

James McCausland (screenplay), George Miller (screenplay),

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Max
Joanne Samuel	...	Jessie
Hugh Keays-Byrne	...	Toecutter
Steve Bisley	...	Jim Goose
Tim Burns	...	Johnny the Boy
Roger Ward	...	Fifi
Lisa Aldenhoven	...	Nurse
David Bracks	...	Mudguts
Bertrand Cadart	...	Clunk
David Cameron	...	Underground Mechanic
Robina Chaffey	...	Singer
Stephen Clark	...	Sarse
Mathew Constantine	...	Toddler
Jerry Day	...	Ziggy
Reg Evans	...	Station Master

Storyline

A vision of an apocalyptic future set in the wastelands of Australia. Total social decay is just around the corner in this spectacular cheap budget gang orientated road movie, where the cops do their best to lay down the law and the outlaw gangs try their hardest to defy the system. Leather clad Max Rockatansky husband, father and cop turns judge, juror and executioner after his best friend, wife and baby are killed. Here we see the final days of normality of a man who had everything to live for, and his slip into the abyss of madness. Mad Max is the antihero on the road to vengeance and oblivion.

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Plot Keywords:

motorcycle | biker | mad max | motorcycle gang | australia | 

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Taglines:

The Film That Started It All

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Studios (us) Official Facebook

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1979 (Australia)

Also Known As:

As Motos da Morte

Filming Locations:

Anakie Rd, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$650,000 (estimated)

Gross:

AUD 5,625,000 (Australia)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kennedy Miller Productions, Crossroads, Mad Max Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 93 min (special edition)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Miller:  [doctor]  Miller's past as a doctor is referenced in St George's hospital which features in the film. Mad Max Rockatansky is named for 19th-century pathologist Carl von Rokitansky, originator of the Rokitansky procedure, the most common method for removal of the internal organs in an autopsy.

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Goofs

When Jesse and May are being chased in the station wagon, it quits running because of radiator failure due to a cleaver, or like piece of metal, stuck in it. It can be seen when Jesse runs in front of the car. When Max runs by the car moments later, it is no longer visible in the radiator.

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Quotes

Station Master: That must be your friend over there. They didn't leave much of him.
Bubba Zanetti: Must've cut his heart out, eh?
Station Master: Yes. That's what I meant. Poor bastard!
Toecutter: [whirls on the Station Manager] The Nightrider. That is his name... the Nightrider.
Station Master: [frightened] The NightRider.
Toecutter: Remember him when you look at the night sky!
Station Master: I will.
Toecutter: Take your hat off.
Station Master: Anything you say.
Toecutter: Anything I say. What a wonderful philosophy you have. Take him away.

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Connections

Featured in Mel Gibson: The High Octane Birth of a Superstar (2002)

User Reviews

Mad Max, the one that launched a franchise and a hundred knock-offs.

Mad Max (1979) is a low budget Aussie film that became a huge success in the U.S. because of it's sequel Mad Max 2 a.k.a. The Road Warrior. Not only did this movie spawned a franchise but it created a new genre of film (the post apocalyptic wasteland/road film) many rip-offs and pro wrestlers inspired by the movie and it's sequels.

Mel Gibson (in his greatest role in my opinion) stars as "Mad" Max, a cop who has seen too much while trying to enforce the law in a dying society. After clashing with the Night Rider, he incurs the wrath of his bikie buddies Toecutter and co. Toecutter has to be one of the most scuzziest and at the same time coolest bad guys. I like the way he tries to justify him and his crew's actions. Ditto for his right-hand man Bubba. Beautiful cinematography, fast paced action and awesome stunts make this movie a winner.

I have seen both versions of the movie (the U.S. dubbed version and the original Aussie soundtrack). For full enjoyment stick to the original version because they sound like real people, not like cartoon characters or cheesy b-movie villains. A true winner.

Highly recommended.