Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

A former Australian policeman is rescued by a tribe of children when he is banished from a desert town and sent into the desert to die by the desert town's evil queen.

Directors:

George Miller, George Ogilvie

Writers:

Terry Hayes, George Miller

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Adam Cockburn

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Mad Max Rockatansky
Bruce Spence	...	Jedediah the Pilot
Adam Cockburn	...	Jedediah Jr.
Tina Turner	...	Aunty Entity
Frank Thring	...	The Collector
Angelo Rossitto	...	The Master
Paul Larsson	...	The Blaster
Angry Anderson	...	Ironbar
Robert Grubb	...	Pig Killer
George Spartels	...	Blackfinger
Edwin Hodgeman	...	Dr. Dealgood
Bob Hornery	...	Waterseller
Andrew Oh	...	Ton Ton Tattoo
Ollie Hall	...	Aunty's Guard
Lee Rice	...	Aunty's Guard

Storyline

Bartertown is a city on the edge of a desert that has managed to retain some technology if no civilization. Max has his supplies stolen and must seek shelter there in a post apocalyptic world where all machines have begun to break down and barbarians hold what is left. He becomes involved in a power struggle in this third Mad Max film where he must first survive the town, survive the desert and then rescue the innocent children he has discovered.

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Plot Keywords:

desert | fight | gladiator | arena | australian outback | 

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Taglines:

Hold out for Mad Max. This is his greatest adventure.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mad Max 3

Filming Locations:

Coober Pedy, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$12,305,523 (estimated)

Gross:

$36,200,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kennedy Miller Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The poster art for this film was one of the last done by Richard Amsel.

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Goofs

Ironbar fires an arrow through the train/truck's door and through Pig Killer's leg. The arrow has a huge four-bladed broadhead on it, yet the hole in the door and the hole in Pig Killer's leg are only the size of the arrow's shaft.

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Quotes

Max: [Max recognizes Jedediah] YOU!
Jedediah the Pilot: Me?
Max: You, it's your lucky day!
Jedediah the Pilot: It is?
Max: Uh huh. You've got a plane.
Jedediah the Pilot: I have?
Max: [Outside, a plane is being started] It might just save your life.
Jedediah the Pilot: It will?
Max: Uh huh.

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Crazy Credits

Mel Gibson, who plays Mad Max, is listed again among the Stunt Crew in the End Credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Parks and Recreation: Camping (2011)

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Soundtracks

"We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)"
Written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle
Performed by Tina Turner
Produced by Terry Britten
Copyright (c) 1985 Good Single Music Ltd. & My Axe Music Ltd.

User Reviews

Gorgeous, delirious post-apocalypse fable

Who could not love this movie? It's got more imagination than five average postbomb flicks, incredible visual design, enough alternate societies with enough backstory apiece for three more movies (including an aboriginal clan who look like Peter Pan's Lost Boys and speak a dialect you'll be copying for days after you see it), car chases, amazing costumes, one of the most original death-duel sequences ever, Tina Turner, *and* Mel Gibson! I mean, goddamn, what more do you want? I personally want another movie just set in Bartertown AND a movie that follows what happens to Anna Goanna and her clan, and they don't even have to have Mel Gibson in them - that's how rich I think the imaginative depth of this movie is. I like it more every time I see it. Genuinely something special.