Guide Note

Mad Max is an Australian film set in the future following a nuclear war. The film catapulted the then unknown Mel Gibson into international celebrity. With a budget of just $300,000 AUD, it was hugely successful, raking in $100 million worldwide. Mad Max had two sequels, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. In April, 2008, the third sequel, Mad Max 4: Fury Road was in pre-production.

Fast Facts

1. Director: George Miller
2. Producers: Byron Kennedy | Bill Miller
3. Starring: Mel Gibson | Steve Bisley | Joanne Samuel | Hugh Keays Byrne | Tim Burns.
4. Distributed by: Village Roadshow Pictures
5. Release Date: April 12, 1979
6. Run Time: 95 Minutes
7. Budget: $300,000 AUD
8. Sequel: Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Many cars were demolished in the making of this action film. Because of the small budget, the vehicles used in the film were real decommissioned police cars. The motorcycles were late model demonstration units donated by Kawasaki.

Mel Gibson was the only one who wore real leather, the others in the film wore vinyl costumes.