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:

The Maximum Force of the Future

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

18+

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of the biker gang extras were members of actual Australian outlaw motorcycle clubs and rode their own motorcycles in the film. They were even forced to ride the motorcycles from their residence in Sydney to the shooting locations in Melbourne because the budget did not allow for aerial transport.

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Goofs

Goose throws Johnny the Boy to the ground and, with his baton in his right hand, draws his arm back. In the next shot, Goose throws a punch with his right hand but the baton is gone.

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Quotes

Grease Rat: [Max returns to the garage to question Greast Rat about the Toecutter and his gang] Bubba Zanetti, is that? You come for the grunt? She won't be ready until this afternoon. Still having trouble with the front forks. They're mongrels to work with.
[Max pulls Grease Rat out from under the car]
Grease Rat: You asshole! What the moly fuck you think you're doing?
Max: You and me are gonna talk about the Toecutter.
Grease Rat: Never heard of him
[Max pushes Grease Rat back under the car, hitting his head]
Grease Rat: What the Christ are you?
Max: I ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The dubbed American release changed some bits of dialog from Australian slang and phrases into American ones. Hence, "windscreen" became "windshield", "See looks!" became "Look see!", and "Very toey!" became "Super hot!".

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Connections

Referenced in Swarm (2020)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Well Aged!

Not many low budget flicks age very well but Mad Max certainly has.

I watched it again recently, as I only had vague memories of watching it years ago, but I found it to hold up well. Only by reading the other user comments did I discover that it had been dubbed! What a load of crap. Why would a movie in English be dubbed in English! If you cant understand Aussie accents, you dont deserve the pleasure of seeing this movie. I cant imagine this movie having the same effect without the Australian accents.

What George Miller did with this fairly simple script is remakable. The camera angles and speeds with which this film moves along at times were thrilling, Not to mention the great stunts and even the barbaric humour (the ripped off arm!).

The car which Mel Gibson eventually gets revenge in (an Aussie Ford coupe) looked as menacing as a car could! built for the movie for A$35 Grand, a replica was used for the final crash 'n burn scenes of Mad Max 2. The original car was salvaged and is still around somewhere, appearing at car shows in the late 80's.

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1979 (Australia)

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