Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
"Mad Max 2" (original title)

In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline rich, community escape a band of bandits.

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

Terry Hayes (screenplay), George Miller (screenplay),

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston

8 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Max
Bruce Spence	...	The Gyro Captain
Michael Preston	...	Pappagallo (as Mike Preston)
Max Phipps	...	The Toadie
Vernon Wells	...	Wez
Kjell Nilsson	...	The Humungus
Emil Minty	...	The Feral Kid
Virginia Hey	...	Warrior Woman
William Zappa	...	Zetta
Arkie Whiteley	...	The Captain's Girl
Steve J. Spears	...	Mechanic
Syd Heylen	...	Curmudgeon
Moira Claux	...	Big Rebecca
David Downer	...	Nathan
David Slingsby	...	Quiet Man

Storyline

An former Australian policeman now living in the post-apocalyptic Australian outback as a warrior agrees to help a community of survivors living in a gasoline refinery to defend them and their gasoline supplies from evil barbarian warriors.

---

Plot Keywords:

gasoline | warrior | refinery | australian | australia | 

---

Taglines:

When all that's left is one last chance, pray that he's still out there ... somewhere!

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Road Warrior

Filming Locations:

Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,527,864 (USA) (21 May 1982)

Gross:

$2,527,864 (USA) (21 May 1982)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kennedy Miller Entertainment, Kennedy Miller Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 87 min (heavily cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) (as Dolby Stereo) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dean Semler returned to the same locations in Broken Hill, New South Wales, 6 years later to shoot Russell Mulcahy's Razorback.

---

Goofs

During the final chase, the goons shoot out the tanker truck's rear, left-most tire (as seen from the back). In a subsequent shot, the first shot of the tanker following the gyro crash, all four rear tires are intact.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: My life fades. The vision dims. All that remains are memories. I remember a time of chaos. Ruined dreams. This wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior. The man we called "Max". To understand who he was, you have to go back to another time. When the world was powered by the black fuel. And the desert sprouted great cities of pipe and steel. Gone now, swept away. For reasons long forgotten, two mighty warrior tribes went to war and touched off a blaze which engulfed...

---

Connections

Referenced in South Park: Whale Whores (2009)

User Reviews

on the Road Again with Mad Max and his Dog

But most of all, I remember the Road Warrior. By this time, many people have forgotten that this set the standard for kinetic action on the roadways. The memories fade as the years go by, new action films are released, such as "Speed"(94), which seem to set new standards. But, it's not really the case. The Road Warrior has yet to be bested, and no amount of money, computer technology or loud noises will ever accomplish the deed. Nothing will ever capture the apocalyptic intensity or, most of all, the sheer elegance of combat on the roads, as depicted here. "Raiders of the Lost Ark"(81), for example, captured a more frenetic goofy-style action, also relentless, but not with the level of tension. It's exciting, sure, but it doesn't tie your stomach up in knots, leaving you drained yet begging for more.

The sequel to "Mad Max"(79) - also a unique, tense experience - begins with an unusual prologue, giving the viewers a historical background on only half the screen. We are set up for a bombastic adventure, created as a new mythology for our perusal. Iconic figures abound, beginning with Max (Gibson) himself, of course. Here is the quintessential wandering loner hero/cowboy/samurai: he is striking - damaged both physically & mentally - but an ultimate survivor. Here are his foes: a scarred, massively-muscled atomic-age conqueror and his dogs, garbed in battle-dress for instant death and destruction. Here is his conscience: the last vestiges of civilization grouped in a makeshift fort for a final gasp of decency. When these three factions clash, it's the end of the world as we know it. Welcome to the new world of The Road Warrior.

The Road Warrior influenced the sub-genre of post-holocaust science fiction throughout the eighties. There were numerous imitators, mostly low-budget efforts, and none of them came close to succeeding at this level. I hope not too many people continue to forget where it all began for this thrilling corner of the sci-fi adventure genre. It is to our downfall and regret that we forget.