Mad Max (1979)

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

James McCausland (screenplay) &
George Miller (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

12 April 1979 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

He rules the roads.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Motorcycle | Biker | Mad Max | Motorcycle Gang | Australia

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

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
Howard Eynon	...	Diabando
Max Fairchild	...	Benno
John Farndale	...	Grinner
Peter Felmingham	...	Senior Doctor
Sheila Florance	...	May Swaisey (as Sheila Florence)
Nic Gazzana	...	Starbuck
Hunter Gibb	...	Lair
Vincent Gil	...	Nightrider (as Vince Gil)
Andrew Gilmore	...	Silvertongue
Jonathan Hardy	...	Labatouche (as Jonathon Hardy)
Brendan Heath	...	Sprog
Paul Johnstone	...	Cundalini
Nick Lathouris	...	Grease Rat
John Ley	...	Charlie
Steve Millichamp	...	Roop
Phil Motherwell	...	Junior Doctor
George Novak	...	Scuttle
Geoff Parry	...	Bubba Zanetti
Lulu Pinkus	...	Nightrider's Girl
Neil Thompson	...	TV Newsreader
Billy Tisdall	...	Midge
Gil Tucker	...	People's Observer
Kim Sullivan	...	Girl in Chevvy
John Arnold
Tom Broadbridge
Peter Culpan
Peter Ford
Clive Hearne
Telford Jackson
Christine Kaman		(as Kristine Kaman)
Joan Letch
Kerry Miller
Janine Ogden
Di Trelour
Vernon Weaver
Paul Young
Brendan Young
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James McCausland	...	Bearded Man in Apron (uncredited)
Amanda Muggleton	...	Biker's Moll (uncredited)

Directed by
George Miller

Writing credits
James McCausland		(screenplay) &
George Miller		(screenplay)
Byron Kennedy		story (uncredited)
George Miller		story (uncredited)

Produced by
Byron Kennedy	....	producer
Bill Miller	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Brian May

Cinematography by
David Eggby		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Cliff Hayes
Tony Paterson

Art Direction by
Jon Dowding

Costume Design by
Clare Griffin

Makeup Department
Vivien Mepham	....	makeup artist (as Viv Mephan)
Ben Taylor	....	hair dresser

Production Management
John Hipwell	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Steve Connard	....	second assistant director
Ian Goddard	....	first assistant director
Des Sheridan	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Steve Amezdroz	....	assistant art director
Richard Francis	....	props

Sound Department
Ned Dawson	....	sound effects
Roger Savage	....	post-production sound: A.A.V. Australia
Mark J. Wasiutak	....	boom operator (as Mark Wasiutak)
Gary Wilkins	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
Chris Murray	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Richard Wilmot	....	optical effects operator (uncredited)

Stunts
Chris Anderson	....	stunt team
Dale Bensch	....	stunt team
David Bracks	....	stunt team
Phil Brock	....	stunt team
Michael Daniels	....	stunt team
Gerry Gauslaa	....	stunt team
Terry Gibson	....	stunt team
George Novak	....	stunt team
Grant Page	....	stunt coordinator
Grant Page	....	stunt team

Camera and Electrical Department
David Cassar	....	grip
Lindsay Foote	....	gaffer
Harry Glynatsis	....	camera assistant
Noel McDonald	....	grip
Garry Plunkett	....	best boy
Tim Smart	....	clapper loader
Tim Smart	....	photographer: second unit
Chic Stringer	....	still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Merran Kingsford-Smith	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Margaret Cardin	....	negative cutter

Music Department
Nic Gazzana	....	cabaret music
Brian May	....	conductor

Other crew
Shirley Ballard	....	script supervisor
Stuart Beatty	....	traffic supervisor
Ray Beckerley	....	vehicle designer
Tom Broadbridge	....	production assistant
Jenny Day	....	production coordinator
Lex Glouchewera	....	electronics
Bill Gooley	....	laboratory consultant: Colorfilm
Noel L. Harman	....	financial consultant
Andrew Jones	....	traffic supervisor
Stephen O'Hare	....	truck coordinator
Robert Orchard	....	mechanic
Bill Owen	....	titles
Clive Rowell	....	mechanic
Murray Smith	....	mechanic

Thanks
George Barbera	....	the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
Frank Matich	....	the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of: Bell Helmets

Production Companies

• Kennedy Miller Productions
• Crossroads
• Mad Max Films

Distributors

• Roadshow Entertainment (1979) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Columbia-EMI-Warner (1979) (UK) (theatrical)
• Warner-Columbia Filmverleih (1980) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• American International Pictures (AIP) (1980) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• Ambassador Film Distributors (1980) (Canada) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• Warner-Columbia Films (1982) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• ELKE (19??) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Victor Michailides (1981) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (198?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Argentina Video Home (1999) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (1999) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Audio Visual Enterprises (1985) (Greece) (VHS)
• GoodTimes Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• HGV Video Productions (1988) (Canada) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2002) (Canada) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (Canada) (DVD) (combo pack)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (combo pack)
• Orion Home Video (1993) (USA) (video) (LaserDisc)
• Roadshow Entertainment Video (1985) (Australia) (VHS)
• Transworld Video (1984) (Finland) (VHS)
• Vestron Video (1983) (USA) (VHS)
• Vestron Video (1984) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (2013) (Germany) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Video (198?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (1982) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• B.F. Goodrich Co.  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as B.F. Goodrich)
• BNB Freighters  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Bell Helmets  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as 'Bell' Helmets)
• Ben Taylor Hair Workshop  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Bunge  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as Bunge Australia)
• Duhig Ford  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Dunlop  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Film Ballarat and Beyond  filming location
• Footscray Cranes  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Kawasaki Motors  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Knights Transport  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Kodak Australasia  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as Kodak)
• L. J. Wellam & Son  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as L.J. Wellam & Son)
• Macau Light Film Corporation  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as Macau Light Co.)
• Mires Transport  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Mitch Consultancy  casting
• Modern Towing and Salvage  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as Modern Towing & Salvage)
• Nissan Motor Company  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as Nissan Motor Co.)
• Pykes Transport  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Re-Car Consolidated Industries  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Ritmeester Cigars  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Sony Australia  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as Sony)
• Suburban Towing  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Tiger Moth  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of (as Tigermoth)
• Town Auto Wholesalers  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• West Gate Bridge Authority  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of
• Windscreens O'Brien  the producer gratefully acknowledges the assistance of

Also Known As:

Runtime:

88 min | USA:93 min (special edition)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (special edition) | Canada:R | France:16 (re-rating) | France:X (original rating) | New Zealand:(Banned) (original rating) | New Zealand:R18 (re-rating) | Norway:18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:(Banned) | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Finland:K-18 | Germany:BPjM Restricted | UK:X (theatrical rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | Netherlands:16 | UK:18 (cut) (1986) | Ireland:18 | Brazil:16 | Italy:VM18 | Argentina:16 (re-rating) (1999) (uncut) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Argentina:18 (re-rating) (1982) (cut) | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) | Portugal:M/18 | Sweden:15 (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Anakie Rd, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Kennedy Miller Productions

Trivia:

The car that Max drives (a black "Pursuit Special"; the phrase "last of the V8 interceptors" was not used until Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)) is a production car, the Ford "XB Falcon Coupe", sold in Australia from December 1973 until August 1976. The car in the film had a standard 351 cubic inch (5.75 litre) V8 motor.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Max is playing with the rubber mask to cheer up a "not grumpy" Jessie before he goes to see Goose, the baby (Sprog) in the background has different toys in his left hand each time we see him. When Max takes off the mask, Sprog has a brick, ball or similar object that he can clearly lift, and the plush toy is behind him, out of reach. When Max jumps onto the table, we see Sprog in close-up holding the barrel of Max's service revolver. Then after Jessie tells Max to "get out of here" Sprog now has the plush toy.

Quotes:

[after Roop and Charlie crash into a bystander's van]
Charlie:Boy, we're really going to get it this time. He had his indicator on.
Roop:Shut up!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "South Park: The Wacky Molestation Adventure (#4.16)" (2000)

After nearly 30 years still an amazing trip at high speed

After not seeing it for about seven years, I just saw it on DVD for the first time. I remembered it as an exciting near-chaos-future adventure with highway cops in muscle cars and one insane biker gang. It's great how it keeps on standing the test of time. High speed and raw power are of every age, past and future. The way the highway action is shot in this movie simply stays exhilarating, putting it in the top ranking of best high-speed-chase movies ever. Seeing the camera follow the highway marker at high speed, along with the sound of a bike- or V8-engine delivers a Mad and chaotic but really cool result. The pace of the movie remains considerably high, without many slow moments.

Some aspects of the movie have (understandably) dated. Obviously the 70's clothing and hair styles. Sometimes the acting is a little over the top, and some characters could come directly from a comic book. And of course the story is not that deep or difficult. It's partly action-thriller, partly science fiction adventure. All weaknesses are covered and compensated by lots of a-moral fun though.

At the heart of this one of a kind look movie, there is a hero character named Max. This speed-demon-cop is at the top of his game on the highway, ruthlessly dealing with maniacs ravaging his jurisdiction. But he is also a happy family man with his wife and son. This duality makes the character human, timeless and very memorable. In some scenes you can clearly see Mel Gibson was only just getting into acting. For a rookie he was doing a good job nonetheless.

Others strengths lie within the scary nature of the biker gang. An extravagant rag-tag band of maniacs, led by the iconic villain The ToeCutter. To this day, their actions remain tough and very disturbing. It will have you staring at the screen dead serious, making Max' battle against them even more gratifying.

There is much to say about this movie, but first and foremost it is a must see. A cult classic still as enjoyable as it was nearly 30 years ago.