Mad Max (1979)

In a self-destructing world, a vengeful Australian policeman sets out to stop a violent motorcycle gang.

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

James McCausland (screenplay), George Miller (screenplay)

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne

5 wins & 7 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

Taking place in a dystopian Australia in the near future, Mad Max tells the story of a highway patrolman cruising the squalid back roads that have become the breeding ground of criminals foraging for gasoline and scraps. After some grisly events at the hands of a motorcycle gang, Max sets out across the barren wastelands in search of revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

post apocalypse | motorcycle gang | biker | revenge | dystopia | 

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Taglines:

A 400H.P. movie that runs on adrenalin, high octane and raw nerves!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Miller's first choice for the role of Max, was the Irish-born James Healey, who at the time worked at a Melbourne abattoir and was seeking a new acting job. Upon reading the script, Healey declined, finding the meager, terse dialogue too unappealing.

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Goofs

Max's shoes change when he is running on the road to pick up Jessie. Earlier he was shoe-less and then wearing black shoes. In this scene he is seen wearing another pair.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Johnny the Boy: [Max limps away after handcuffing Johnny to the car, leaking gas next to a fire] You're *mad*, man! You think I look silly, don't ya? Ha, ha! Don't bring this on me, man!
[sobbing]
Johnny the Boy: Don't do this to me, please! Aw, Sweet Jesus! I was sick! Don't bring this on me, please!

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Alternate Versions

TV version is cut for violence and runs 88 minutes.

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Connections

Referenced in Disney's Goof Troop: Great Egg-Spectations (1992)

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Soundtracks

Rocker
(uncredited)
Written by Bon Scott, Angus Young and Malcolm Young
Performed by Vincent Gil

User Reviews

Mad Max is 70's classic dystopian action film the film that became the first in the series that launches some awesome great sequels.

Mad Max is 70's type of classic dystopian action film the film that started it all and became the first in a series that launches some awesome great sequels. Max Rockatansky is iconic hero till it's day he is a true legend. Mad Max settle Mel Gibson a sure path to superstardom this highly acclaimed crazy collide o-scope of highway of mayhem cinematically defined the post apocalyptic landscape. Featuring eye- popping stunts that are electrifying and very convincing and an authentically nihilistic spirit this unforgettable actioner from Director George Miller is pure cinematic poetry.

In the ravaged near future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing Innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of police force hell-bent on stopping them. But they underestimate one officer: Max (Gibson). And when the bikers brutalize Max's best friend and family, they send him into a mad frenzy that leaves him with only one thing left in the world to live for - revenge! Also staring Joanne Samuel,Hugh Keays-Byrne he later started in Mad Max: Fury Road as an Immortan Joe another villain. This actor is fantastic and makes TERRIFIC job of been one of the best villains in the movie history ever. Also starring Steve Bisley, this rugged race car of a film runs on comic book volatility... exhilarating, rowdiness and visual intensity.

I love this film not much as I love Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Furry Road but I still love it. The plot doesn't start until 1.hour ago after Max family is attacked and killed. I love Max's car V8 Interceptor, high speed chases action sequences, that I guarantee you want see in any Action film today. There is any cgi in this film I didn't see them at all. The chases between Max and Toecutter on a motorcycle is fantastic, the crash and death Toecutter scene is AWESOME. I love this movie, I love it. As an dystopian action film is a fantastic that remains a true classic till it's day. The film has one problem that is focusing on max and his love life which is drama that hurts the movie and the plot starts really slow in the film. And between the film becomes very boring.

The high speed chases on the road makes this movie interesting so that you don't fall asleep. I still don't get that hate for this film, some people are comparing Thunderdome to this film, clamming that is better than Mad Max is and this is the worst one and the weakest film in the franchise which is not. I highly disagree with all of the haters of this film. It Is still good so much better than Thunderdome ever was. I will always take this film over Thunderdome,I have tried many times to take this film as the best one in the series but I couldn't because it does have some problems.

NOTE: The film is not a revenge flick like some people are saying, it is a film about car and motorcycle gang on a road it is Australian post apocalyptic dystopian action film. 7/10 B-

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mad Max

Filming Locations:

Craigieburn Motor Wreckers, Hume Highway, Craigieburn, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$8,750,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,773,197

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kennedy Miller Productions, Mad Max Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 93 min (special edition)

Sound Mix:

Mono 4-Track Stereo (Japan theatrical release) Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1