Mad Max (1979)

Country of Origin: Australia
Year of Production: 1979
Running Times: 88 mins (USA - TV)     91 mins (Australia)     100 mins (UK)
Format: Eastmancolor     Todd-AO 35     35mm
Ratio: 2.35:1
Sound: mono

CREDITS

PRODUCTION
Production Company: Kennedy Miller
Producer: Byron Kennedy
Associate Producer: Bill Miller
Production Coordinator: Jenny Day

SCRIPT
Script: James McCausland, George Miller

DIRECTION
Director: George Miller
1st Assistant Director: Ian Goddard
2nd Assistant Director: Steve Connard
3rd Assistant Director: Des Sheridan

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: David Eggby
2nd Unit Photographer: Tim Smart
Assistant Camera: Harry Glynatsis
Grips: Noel McDonald, David Cassar
Gaffer: Lindsay Foote
Best Boy: Garry Plunkett
Clapper Loader: Tim Smart
Stills: Chic Stringer
Laboratory Consultant: Bill Gooley

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Cliff Hayes, Tony Paterson
Negative Cutter: Margaret Cardin

MUSIC
Music: Brian May
Cabaret Music: Nic Gazzana

SOUND
Sound Recordist: Gary Wilkins
Boom Operator: Mark Wasiutak
Post-Production Sound: Roger Savage, A.A.V. Australia
Sound Effects: Ned Dawson

MAKE UP AND COSTUMES
Make Up: Vivien Mephan
Hair: Ben Taylor
Costume Designer: Clare Griffin
Wardrobe: Merran Kingsford-Smith

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects: Chris Murray

VISUAL EFFECTS
Titles: Bill Owen

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Art Director: Jon Dowding
Assistant Art Director: Steve Amezdroz
Vehicle Designer: Ray Beckerley
Props: Richard Francis

MISCELLANEOUS
Script Supervisor: Shirley Ballard (uncredited)
Production Assistant: Tom Broadbridge
Traffic Supervisors: Andrew Jones, Stuart Beatty
Truck Co-Ordinator: Stephen O'Hare
Mechanics: Clive Rowell, Robert Orchard, Murray Smith
Financial Consultant: Noel L. Harman
Motorcycle Fairings: La Parisienne Engineering
Electronics: Lex Glouchewera

LOCATIONS
Locations: Southern Car Park, Melboure University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victoria, Australia

STUNTS
Stunt Coordinator: Grant Page
Stunt Team: Grant Page, Chris Anderson, Phil Brock, Dale Bensch, Gerry Gauslaa, Terry Gibson, George Novak, Michael Daniels, David Bracks

CASTING
Casting: Mitch Consultancy

CAST
Mel Gibson (Max Rockatansky)
Joanne Samuel (Jessie Rockatansky)
Hugh Keays-Byrne (Toecutter)
Steve Bisley (Jim Goose)
Tim Burns (Johnny the Boy)
Roger Ward (Fifi Macaffee)
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)
Howard Eynon (Diabando)
Max Fairchild (Benno)
John Farndale (Grinner)
Peter Felmingham (senior doctor)
Sheila Florence (May Swaisey)
Nic Gazzana (Starbuck)
Hunter Gibb (Lair)
Vince Gil (Nightrider)
Andrew Gilmore (Silvertongue)
Jonathan Hardy (Labatouche)
Brendan Heath (Sprog)
Paul Johnstone (Cundalini)
Nick Lathouris (grease rat)
John Ley (Charlie)
Steve Millichamp (Roop)
Phil Motherwell (junior doctor)
George Novak (Scuttle)
Geoff Parry (Bubba Zanetti)
Lulu Pinkus (Nightrider's Girl)
Neil Thompson (TV newsreader)
Billy Tisdall (Midge)
Gil Tucker (people's observer)
Kim Sullivan (girl in chevy)
John Arnold
Tom Broadbridge
Peter Culpan
Peter Ford
Clive Hearne
Telford Jackson
Kristine Kaman
Joan Letch
Kerry Miller
Janine Ogden
Di Trelour
Vernon Weaver
Paul Young
Brendan Young

PLOT SUMMARY

In the near future, society is on its last legs. Lawless biker gangs roam the countryside raping and murdering with impunity. All that stands between them and total anarchy are the overworked and under-resourced men and women of the Main Force Patrol, an elite squad of motor cops. When the gangs murder the young child of one MFP driver, Max Rockatansky, he begins a one-man campaign to track down and kill those responsible.

CAPSULE REVIEW

A fabulous example of what can be done with next to no money but bags of enthusiasm and talent. Gritty and brutal, it's a worryingly believable glimpse of a future where society is dying and where even the forces of law and order simply don't care anymore. It was the breakthrough role for Mel Gibson and it initiated a trilogy of hugely impressive films that transformed the Australian cinema. A massive success around the world, its look was 'borrowed' buy other film-makers for many years afterwards. (Full Review)

Canada
Video Distributor: HGV Video Productions Inc

Japan
DVD Distributor: (Warner Home Video DL-11170)

UK
Video Distributor: Warner Home Video (S011170); (S012545 - widescreen, Special Collector's Edition); (S035178 - triple pack with Mad Max 2 and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome)
Laserdisc Distributor: Warner Home Video (PEL61170)

USA
Theatrical Distributor: American International Pictures
Video Distributor: Goodtimes Video; Orion Pictures Corporation; Vestron Video
Laserdisc Distributor: Vestron Video; Image (IDVL4030); Image (ID2594OR)
DVD Distributor: Image Entertainment (ID4082ORDVD)

Australia
Rating: R

France
Rating: -16

Germany
Rating: 18

Norway
Rating: 18

Sweden
Rating: banned three times by the authorities.

UK
Rating: 18
Early video releases cut the scene where the Toe-Cutter's gang attack a young couple in a custom car. This version - which was later superceded by an uncut release - faded out just as the bikers smash the first window.

USA
Rating: R
The television version is cut to 88 minutes.

1979
Australian Film Institute, Australia
Best Achievement in Editing (Cliff Hayes, Tony Paterson) - winner
Best Achievement in Sound (Ned Dawson, Byron Kennedy, Roger Savage, Gary Wilkins) - winner
Best Original Music Score (Brian May) - winner
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hugh Keays-Byrne) - nominated
Best Director (George Miller) - nominated
Best Film (Byron Kennedy) - nominated
Best Original Screenplay (James McCausland, George Miller) - nominated

TIMELINE

1979
April
12: Australia - theatrical release

December
10: UK - theatrical release

1980
January
13: USA - theatrical release

February
29: West Germany - theatrical release

1982
January
13: France - theatrical release (cut version)

1983
January
19: France - theatrical release

1994
February
18: USA - laserdisc release (Image (ID2594OR))

1995
May
15: UK - video release (Warner Home Video (S011170))

July
17: UK - video release (Warner Home Video (S012545 - widescreen, Special Collector's Edition))

1997
October
20: UK - video release (S035178 - triple pack with Mad Max 2 and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome)

November
18: USA - DVD release (Image Entertainment (ID4082ORDVD))

1998
February
27: UK - videos deleted (Warner Home Video (S011170); (S012545); (S035178 - triple pack with Mad Max 2 and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome))

April
18: UK - television broadcast (on LWT)

1999
May
8: UK - television broadcast (on ITV)

POSTER TAGS

The Maximum Force of the Future.

The last law in a world gone out of control. Pray that he's out there somewhere.

When the gangs take over the highway...

...Remember he's on your side.

ALTERNATIVE TITLES

Interceptor - Italian title
Mad Max: Salvajes de la autopista - Spanish title
As Motos da Morte - Portugese title

LINKS

SEQUELS
Mad Max 2 (1981)
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

SEE ALSO
2019 - Dopo la caduta di New York (1983)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Ninja Mission 2000 (2000)
Strange Brew (1983)
True Romance (1993)
Weird Science (1985)
Zuijia paidang zhi nuhuang miling (1984)

REFERENCES

MAGAZINES

Cinema Papers Special (May 1978) p.89 (Australia)
credits

Cinema Papers no.21 (May / June 1979) p.383 (Australia)
review (by Geoff Mayer)

Cinema Papers Special (May 1979) pp.43-49 (Australia)
interview with Byron Kennedy and George Miller

Film News vol.9 no.6 (June 1979) pp.14-15 (Australia)
illustrated review (We Need George Miller by Dave Maher)

Film News vol.9 no.7 (July 1979) pp.8-10 (Australia)
interview with George Miller (Another Rider of the Silver Screen by David Elfick and Ian Barry)

Film News vol.9 no.10 (October 1979) pp.14-15 (Australia)
article

Monthly Film Bulletin vol.46 no.550 (November 1979) p.228 (UK)
credits, synopsis, review (by Tim Pulleine)

Screen International no.211 (13 October 1979) p.19 (UK)
review (by Marjorie Bilbow)

Variety 16 May 1979 p.38 (USA)
review (by Strat)

KEYWORDS

the future, bikers, revenge, police, biker gangs, deserts, highways, chases, cars, rape, trains, train stations, anarchy

Last Updated: 15 October, 2008