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:

When the gangs take over the highway... ...Remember he's on your side.

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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

Hugh Keays-Byrne modeled his performance of Toecutter after historical records written about Mongolian warlord Temujin, also known as Genghis Khan.

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Goofs

When Roop is aiming the shotgun at the Nightrider in the opening chase, his grip on the gun changes from one-handed to two-handed between shots.

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Quotes

[Max hands Fifi his letter of resignation]
Fifi: What's this?
Max: I'm through.
Fifi: Again?
Max: No, not again. I'm through. I'm quitting.
Fifi: Sit down.
Max: I didn't come here to dicuss it, I came here to say it. I'm through.
Fifi: Now just a minute! Alright, so the Goose bought it, but that's the way he always came in the world...
Max: -Off beat!

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Connections

Spoofed in South Park: The Wacky Molestation Adventure (2000)

User Reviews

Well Aged!

Not many low budget flicks age very well but Mad Max certainly has.

I watched it again recently, as I only had vague memories of watching it years ago, but I found it to hold up well. Only by reading the other user comments did I discover that it had been dubbed! What a load of crap. Why would a movie in English be dubbed in English! If you cant understand Aussie accents, you dont deserve the pleasure of seeing this movie. I cant imagine this movie having the same effect without the Australian accents.

What George Miller did with this fairly simple script is remakable. The camera angles and speeds with which this film moves along at times were thrilling, Not to mention the great stunts and even the barbaric humour (the ripped off arm!).

The car which Mel Gibson eventually gets revenge in (an Aussie Ford coupe) looked as menacing as a car could! built for the movie for A$35 Grand, a replica was used for the final crash 'n burn scenes of Mad Max 2. The original car was salvaged and is still around somewhere, appearing at car shows in the late 80's.