Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen.

Directors:

George Miller, George Ogilvie

Writers:

Terry Hayes, George Miller

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Tina Turner, Bruce Spence

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Mad Max
Bruce Spence	...	Jedediah
Adam Cockburn	...	Jedediah Jnr.
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

Left for dead in the unforgiving deserts of post-nuclear Australia, after defeating Lord Humungus' barbarian horde of bikers in Mad Max 2 (1981), the former officer of the tough Main Force Patrol, Max Rockatansky, happens upon Bartertown: the remote market-town outpost in the middle of the dry Wasteland, and the realm of the autocratic Queen Aunty Entity. There, a lethal challenge awaits Max, who, in return for his freedom and provisions, must engage in a bloody match to the death with the grotesque symbiotic being, the Master/Blaster. However, an unforeseen complication after the brutal fight in the stronghold's combat arena, The Thunderdome, will banish, once more, Max into the vast wilderness, only to discover the peaceful haven of The Lost Tribe: a community of marooned children who survive on their own, waiting for the arrival of the legendary Captain Walker. Is "Mad" Max, indeed, their saviour? Can he overthrow Bartertown's ruthless tyrant?

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Plot Keywords:

post apocalypse | cage match | australian outback | group of children | death match | 

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Taglines:

A lone warrior searching for his destiny...a tribe of lost children waiting for a hero...in a world battling to survive, they face a woman determined to rule.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Angry Anderson (Ironbar) is a member of Australia's quite famous rock-band Rose Tattoo.

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Goofs

A boom mic dips down to catch the Collector saying, "Leave your weapons here; it's the law," casting a very visible shadow on the far left of the frame (over the sign saying "PARK YOUR WEAPONS HERE").

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Quotes

Master: Who you?
Max: Me Max.

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Crazy Credits

Dedication: "...for Byron"

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Alternate Versions

Scenes filmed but cut from the final film: Max comforting the dying Ghekko while facing Bartertown from the desert dunes and telling him it's Tomorrowmorrow land (this scene can be glimpsed in the Tina Turner video for We Don't Need Another Hero.) Max waking in Crack in Earth in the middle of the night and remembering his wife Jessie and crying, realising he is no better than the people he has hunted for so long.

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Connections

Referenced in Southland: God's Work (2012)

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Soundtracks

Toreador Song
from 'Carmen' (uncredited)
By Georges Bizet

User Reviews

Not as Bad as You Remember

This movie was much maligned when it came out in 1985, but that was due to the spectacular qualities of its predecessors, "Mad Max" and "The Road Warrior." Taken out of comparison with the other two, this movie is still solid post-apocalyptic fun, but it's lighter and slightly less violent than "Road Warrior" (as is evidenced by the PG-13 rating.) The actors' performances are perfectly adequate for the action, and the chase scenes bear all the hallmarks of Miller's craftsmanship (which contemporary directors should seriously consider studying and revitalizing.) You just won't see any arrow-riddled bodies slamming into the pavement at 60 mph or watch manned motorcycles sucked under the wheels of a big-rig. This one is about the kids. Think Hook in the wasteland and that starts to approach it.

If you saw this movie in the theaters 25 years ago and walked out hating it, give it another chance. Just don't see "RW" right beforehand. No reason to hobble your experience with unrealistic expectations.

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [UK] Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 August 1985 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Mad Max 3

Filming Locations:

Far Northern South Australia, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,283,714, 14 July 1985

Gross USA:

$36,230,219

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$36,230,219

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kennedy Miller Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1