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Mad Max

  • 19791979
  • K-18K-18
  • 1h 28min
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
199K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,509
175
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mad Max (1979)
Accessible official trailer
Play trailer1:54
1 Video
99+ Photos
ActionAdventureSci-Fi

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

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
199K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,509
175
  • Director
    • George Miller
  • Writers
    • James McCausland(screenplay)
    • George Miller(screenplay)
    • Byron Kennedy(original story)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Joanne Samuel
    • Hugh Keays-Byrne
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Miller
  • Writers
    • James McCausland(screenplay)
    • George Miller(screenplay)
    • Byron Kennedy(original story)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Joanne Samuel
    • Hugh Keays-Byrne
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 408User reviews
    • 255Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 8 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:54
    Official Trailer

    Photos168

    Mel Gibson and Steve Bisley in Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson and Joanne Samuel in Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson in Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson in Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson in Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson in Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson and Joanne Samuel in Mad Max (1979)
    Hugh Keays-Byrne in Mad Max (1979)
    Joanne Samuel in Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson in Mad Max (1979)
    Mad Max (1979)
    Mel Gibson and Tim Burns in Mad Max (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Maxas Max
    Joanne Samuel
    Joanne Samuel
    • Jessieas Jessie
    Hugh Keays-Byrne
    Hugh Keays-Byrne
    • Toecutteras Toecutter
    Steve Bisley
    Steve Bisley
    • Jim Gooseas Jim Goose
    Tim Burns
    Tim Burns
    • Johnny the Boyas Johnny the Boy
    Roger Ward
    Roger Ward
    • Fifias Fifi
    Lisa Aldenhoven
    Lisa Aldenhoven
    • Nurseas Nurse
    David Bracks
    David Bracks
    • Mudgutsas Mudguts
    Bertrand Cadart
    Bertrand Cadart
    • Clunkas Clunk
    David Cameron
    David Cameron
    • Underground Mechanicas Underground Mechanic
    Robina Chaffey
    Robina Chaffey
    • Singeras Singer
    Stephen Clark
    • Sarseas Sarse
    Mathew Constantine
    • Toddleras Toddler
    Jerry Day
    Jerry Day
    • Ziggyas Ziggy
    Reg Evans
    Reg Evans
    • Station Masteras Station Master
    Howard Eynon
    • Diabandoas Diabando
    Max Fairchild
    Max Fairchild
    • Bennoas Benno
    John Farndale
    • Grinneras Grinner
    • Director
      • George Miller
    • Writers
      • James McCausland(screenplay)
      • George Miller(screenplay) (original story)
      • Byron Kennedy(original story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Cole Matthews
    post apocalypsedystopiamotorcycle gangbikerrevenge205 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • He rules the roads.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • K-18
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Most of the extras used in the film were paid in beer.
    • Goofs
      When Jessie walks to the car Max is repairing she is wearing sneakers. When she walks around to the passenger side of the car she has on boots with sheepskin trim. When she walks off to the beach she is wearing the deck shoes again.
    • Quotes

      [the Kid is handcuffed to a car that's about to explode]

      Max: The chain in those handcuffs is high-tensile steel. It'd take you ten minutes to hack through it with this. Now, if you're lucky, you could hack through your ankle in five minutes. Go.

      [the hacksaw is dropped next to The Kid, and Max limps off]

    • Alternate versions
      The original UK cinema and certified video releases (American dub) were cut by 48 seconds by the BBFC to keep an X (18) rating and to prevent the film from being banned, as X was the highest rating. They edited the scene where the bikers tear up the hot-rod with the terrified couple inside. Instead, the scene cut to black as the bikers smashed the first window and resumed on the bird hovering overhead. Though the original uncertified 1982 video release of the American dub from Warner Home Video was released uncut, the cut was re-instated on the 1986 18-rated VHS, but was restored in 1992 when the Australian dialogue version was finally released in the UK and to all later releases with the same rating (although Warner's budget labels SCREEN CLASSICS still put out the American dub with the cut scene well into the 90s). In April 2015, the film was passed with a 15 rating uncut, because of "(the scene's) implied nature and lack of visual detail of the acts themselves". The same reason was given for passing it at 18 uncut back in 1992.
    • Connections
      Edited into Asfalttisoturi (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Licorice Road
      (uncredited)

      Written and Produced by Nic Gazzana

      Performed by Robina Chaffey

      Sung by Creenagh St. Clair

    User reviews408

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Mad Max, the one that launched a franchise and a hundred knock-offs.
    Mad Max (1979) is a low budget Aussie film that became a huge success in the U.S. because of it's sequel Mad Max 2 a.k.a. The Road Warrior. Not only did this movie spawned a franchise but it created a new genre of film (the post apocalyptic wasteland/road film) many rip-offs and pro wrestlers inspired by the movie and it's sequels.

    Mel Gibson (in his greatest role in my opinion) stars as "Mad" Max, a cop who has seen too much while trying to enforce the law in a dying society. After clashing with the Night Rider, he incurs the wrath of his bikie buddies Toecutter and co. Toecutter has to be one of the most scuzziest and at the same time coolest bad guys. I like the way he tries to justify him and his crew's actions. Ditto for his right-hand man Bubba. Beautiful cinematography, fast paced action and awesome stunts make this movie a winner.

    I have seen both versions of the movie (the U.S. dubbed version and the original Aussie soundtrack). For full enjoyment stick to the original version because they sound like real people, not like cartoon characters or cheesy b-movie villains. A true winner.

    Highly recommended.
    helpful•148
    58
    • Captain_Couth
    • May 31, 2004

    FAQ8

    • What is Mad Max about?
    • Are there two versions of the same film?
    • What year does this film take place in?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 12, 1979 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Pobjesnjeli Max
    • Filming locations
      • Seaford Beach, Seaford, Victoria, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Kennedy Miller Productions
      • Mad Max Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,750,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,773,197
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 28min
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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