MAD MAX (1979)

MORGAN'S RATING

On a remote stretch of deserted highway, a band of violent bikers has taken over, attacking anyone unlucky enough to cross their savage path. Racing up and down the seemingly endless miles of asphalt, the crazed outlaws blaze through small towns, plowing into vehicles and pedestrians alike with reckless abandon. Bringing a sense of law to this lawlessness are the mobile police force, lead by Max and Goose, who are as fast and mean as their adversaries and are willing to do whatever it takes to cut the enemy down.

Mel Gibson (Mad Max Rockatansky), Joanne Samuel (Jessie Rockatansky), Hugh Keays-Byrne (Toecutter, Biker Gang Leader), Steve Bisley (Jim Goose, Main Force Patrol Officer Bronze), Tim Burns (Johnny the Boy, Toecutter Gang), Roger Ward (Fifi Macaffee), Lisa Aldenhoven (Nurse), David Bracks (Mudguts, Toecutter Gang), Bertrand Cadart (Clunk), David Cameron (Barry, MFP Garage Mechanic), Robina Chaffey (Singer), Stephen Clark (Sarse), Matthew Constantine), Jerry Day (Ziggy), Reg Evans (Station Master), Howard Eynon (Diabando), Max Fairchild (Benno Swaisey), John Farndale (Grinner), Peter Felmingham (Senior Doctor), Sheila Florance (May Swaisey), Nic Gazzana (Starbuck), Hunter Gibb (Lair), Vincent Gil (Nightrider), Andrew Gilmore (Silvertongue), Jonathan Hardy (Police Commissioner Labatouche), Brendan Heath (Sprong Rockatansky), Paul Johnstone (Cundalini), Nick Lathouris (Grease Rat), Steve Millichamp (Roop), Geoff Parry (Bubba Zanetti).

THE MAXIMUM FORCE OF THE FUTURE

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road).  WRITERS: James McCausland and George Miller. PRODUCER: Byron Kennedy. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Bill Miller. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Brian May. DISTRIBUTOR: MGM

QUOTES

Fifi: They say people don't believe in heroes anymore. Well damn them! You and me, Max, we're gonna give them back their heroes! Max: Ah, Fif. Do you really expect me to go for that crap? Fifi: You gotta admit I sounded good there for a minute, huh?

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: March 21st, 1980 (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $8.7 million (USA) - Mel Gibson didn't go to the auditon for this film to read for a part, he actually went along with a friend who was auditioning. But because he had been in a bar fight the night before and his head looked like a "black and blue pumpkin" (his words), he was told he could come back and audition in three week's time because "we need freaks!" He did return in three weeks' time, wasn't recognized (because his injuries had healed well), and was asked to read for a part. - The car that Max drives (the last of the V8 interceptors) is a production car, the Ford XB Falcon Hardtop, sold in Australia from December 1973 until August 1976. The car in the film had a standard 351 cubic inch (5.75 litre) V8 motor.  - In a very brief shot during Max's blissful "retirement," his baby can be seen playing with a very big handgun. - The van that is smashed in the opening chase was George Miller's own vehicle, as the production was running out of money. About 20% of the chase scenes scheduled were not shot due to lack of money. - As of 1998, the film is listed in the Guinnes Book of Records for the highest profit-to-cost ratio of a motion picture (it cost approximately $400,000 to make, and made over $100 million. - Because he was relatively unknown in the US, trailers and previews did not feature Mel Gibson, instead focusing on the car crashes and action scenes. - Because of the film's tight budget, actual decommissioned police cars were used in the film. - This was the first Australian film shot in anamorphic widescreen. - The voice of Robina Chaffey, the singer of the Sugartown Night Club, was the only voice left undubbed in this film's original USA release. - Some of the things Nightrider says over the radio are lyrics from the AC/DC song "Rocker." - The bearded man wearing an apron in front of the roadside diner watching the police cyclists and tow truck drive away is James McCausland, the film's co-writer. - The auto accident scene was made as realistic as possible, thanks to director George MIller's experience as a medical doctor. - The blue van that was wrecked in the film's opening chase had the engine removed and was pushed into the path of the oncoming cars by off-camera assistants. The lack of the engine's weight caused the van to spin uncontrollably, adding to the spectacular crash. - Early in the film there is a brief shot of two road signs. They read: "Anarchy" and "Bedlam". - Director George Miller was inspired by A Boy and His Dog (1975). Followed by three sequels: The Road Warrior (1981), Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2004).

Max: I'm scared, Fif. It's that rat circus out there, I'm beginning to enjoy it. Look, any longer out on that road and I'm one of them, a terminal psychotic, except that I've got this bronze badge that says that I'm one of the good guys.

Roop: That scag and his floozie, they're gonna die!

[The kid is handcuffed to a car that's about to explode.] Max: These cuffs are made of tensiled steel. It would take you ten minutes to hack through them. [Hands Kid the hacksaw.] Max: If you're quick, and if you're lucky, you can hack through your ankle in five.

Fifi: I am a rocker, I am a roller, I am the out-of-controller!

Nightrider: I'm a fuel injected suicide machine.

Toecutter: That there is Cundalini...and Cundalini wants his hand back!

Goose: You've seen it! ... You've heard it! ... and you're still asking questions?

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"It's a tough and grimy little piece of cinema, full of ambiance ... and attitude, with occasionally inspired flourishes." -- Sean Axmaker, Seattle Weekly

"Drive-in fascism at its most cinematic." -- Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

"ends up looking a bit strained in some places, although much of it is undeniably effective." -- James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

"It's still well worth seeing the original, complete with the Australian accents, to truly appreciate George Miller's apocalyptic vision." -- Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide

"Great, grungy, energetic story, eclipsed only by the sequel." -- Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner

"This import B-movie gem launched not only Mel Gibson's career, but the whole post-apocalyptic genre of the 80's and beyond." -- Brian McKay, EFilmCritic.com