Tags
1970's, Action, George Miller, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Joanne Samuel, Mad Max, Mel Gibson, Steve Bisley, Tim Burns
Film Title
Mad Max
Director
George Miller
Starring
- Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky
- Joanne Samuel as Jessie Rockatansky
- Hugh Keays-Byrne as Toecutter
- Steve Bisley as Goose
- Tim Burns as Johnny the Boy
A highly influential movie on futuristic action flicks, Mad Max made a name for George Miller and its young star Mel Gibson. Although made on a shoestring budget, it’s a film that reverberates with apocalyptic madness and hell for leather action. It may not have the non-stop craziness and the big budget scope of later films in the series, but Mad Max still retains an electrifying and intense impact to this day.
In the future, the Australian highways and surrounding areas are bleak and violent shadows of their former selves. There is no order in this world as psychopathic motorbike gangs terrorise innocent people, heroes seem to be no more and civilisation is almost non-existent. From what is left of the police force now called MFP, we have Max; a good cop just wanting to retire with his wife Jessie and young son, but who is constantly having to deal with the madness around him in the form of marauding crazed bikers. Max is disillusioned with the barren wasteland and the police force and just wants out of it as soon as he can so he can live what is left of a civilised life. In the rip-roaring opening scenes, Max is involved in a high-speed chase with a deranged biker knows as Nightrider. The pedal to the metal chase ends with Nightrider’s fiery and explosive death. Because of this, many of his psychopathic cohorts, led by the vicious Toecutter, descend upon the surrounding areas, plaguing the innocent people they pass on the way. Angered by the death of one of their own, the gang decide to get even by brutally injuring Max’s best friend and fellow cop Goose. They then take things one step further by killing Jessie and her son. Broken inside by this, Max straps on his leathers and jumps in his high-powered car with revenge and uncontrollable rage the only things driving him on as he hunts down the gang responsible for shattering his life.
Considering the low budget, George Miller in his directorial debut contributes elements of great style and action. He paints a hauntingly grim picture of the future, capturing a dust bowl atmosphere of no hope and insanity breeding everywhere. Mad Max stands as an influential film because of that picture, but also for the stunts and camerawork. The camera glides at a truly unnatural speed around these brutal events, giving them extra moments of shock and awe. Miller certainly has an assured hand when directing the action sequences and gives them a very frenetic quality. Where Mad Max falters is the pacing, which at times can’t balance the seriousness and action. After the high-octane opening, events slow down to focus on exposition. As the first film in the franchise it is understandable to do this, but it does make the narrative lull. Yet when the violence and carnage hits, it becomes a hell of a revenge-riddled ride in the last hour for both Max and the audience. Burning like a turbo booster, the action on display is explosive and brutal. Standout scenes are the opening chase which ends in an inferno and Max giving a crazed biker two choices of escape before the car he is tied to explodes. So even though the pace lulls very much in the middle, it certainly builds up to the unleashing of madness and violence. A perfectly building score helps aid the flat parts of the narrative and chart Max’s descent into revenge from which no one is safe.
A young Mel Gibson is excellent in the role of the eponymous cop; showing us with skill the broken soul of a good man being replaced with intense anger and deep fury as he sets out to destroy those who have torn his life into pieces. It is truly a star-making role for Gibson which would lead him all the way to the top of the crop of actors. Joanne Samuel radiates innocence in the secondary role of Max’s tragic wife. As the leader of the vicious biker gang, Hugh Keays-Byrne is unpredictable and crazy as hell. Steve Bisley makes his mark as the rather unfortunate Goose, while Tim Burns is wildly convincing and deliriously creepy as the warped Johnny the Boy. All the characters are played well, but it’s Gibson’s turn as the good cop who goes vigilante which is the most memorable.
Bristling with innovative ideas and well-mounted foundations, Mad Max is an excellent introduction to the character and the eventual series of films he would populate.
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ahh! Before Mel went nuts. This is a great trip down memory lane Vinnie. Thanks. 😊
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vinnieh said:
Well in the film he goes mad, but I understand what you mean.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ha! 😊
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vinnieh said:
I couldn’t resist that Kim, haha.
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beetleypete said:
When it came out, it was something new and different to many audiences, and deserved its acclaim to a large extent. The sequels, as they often are, were not so much to my taste, but I suppose you can forgive them for cashing in on a lucrative market.
I always saw the series as a re-working of Japanese samurai classics, like Yojimbo, and The Seven Samurai. This week on Curnblog.com, James draws comparisons with Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Worth seeing; here’s a link.
Regards from Norfolk. Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Interesting thoughts Pete ,had never considered the movies being influenced by westerns but now you mention it I can see it.
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abbiosbiston said:
I had such a weird experience with this film because the version I watched had been overdubbed with American accents for some reason. It definitely did not enhance the film.
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vinnieh said:
That does sound like something that would diminish the impact.
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Chris Evans said:
Been a while since I’ve watched this, planning to rewatch the trilogy again soon – Mad Max 2 is definitely the best. Great review Vinnie.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Chris, I’m watching the trilogy again as well.
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Tim The Film Guy said:
Great review. Who would have thought this would have been this good?
Just fun bombastic film from start to finish 😀
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vinnieh said:
I’m definitely enjoying revisiting these films again.
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Tim The Film Guy said:
Hmm not sure how I posted this comment on both reviews. Both great films though haha xD
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vinnieh said:
I get you, they both are great movies.
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Khalid at The Blazing Reel said:
Was Miller really trying to show the apocalypse in this movie? because it didnt come across as an apocalypse to me
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vinnieh said:
I think he was showing the destruction of humanity and the rise of oppression brought on by an apocalypse.
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vinnieh said:
Sorry I was referring to Fury Road with the part about oppression. In Mad Max, there’s no order and the law stands for nothing. Sorry about mixing those up.
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Khalid at The Blazing Reel said:
No problem, Fury Road though, in my opinion is how Miller truly envisioned the apocalypse and could make possible with the big budget
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vinnieh said:
Yeah I can completely see that, he had the scope to fully realise his vision in Fury Road.
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Hypersonic55 said:
Cool review man, after hearing about this film for so many years I was surprised by the end result. Mad Max while there was certainly a great deal of action to it, because of the lack of music and very atmospheric shots, it sometimes felt like a horror film of the 1970’s. It was very character focused, but that’s what I really liked it. Oh and that ending, bloody brilliant, good stuff.
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vinnieh said:
I can see where you’re coming from there, there are elements that resembled a horror movie for sure.
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alexraphael said:
I’ve not seen any of the Mad Max films. That’s terrible isn’t it?
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vinnieh said:
It’s something you should rectify as soon as possible.
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alexraphael said:
True dat!
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emmakwall said:
Fab idea reviewing the original Mad Max!!! 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I thought it would be interesting to go back to the very beginning.
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emmakwall said:
Definitely!!
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Paul S said:
What amazed me the most about Mad Max was the fact that all of the car crashes had to be taken in one shot! I’m assuming this was due to the limited funds. I’ve seen films with considerably larger budgets that were unable to produce the spectacular vehicular carnage we witnessed in this film.
A visceral assault on the senses!
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vinnieh said:
Definitely an assault on every sense we have.
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David said:
You’re right about the lull and then the build up. I hadn’t seen this in a long time, but watched the originals a few weeks back to get pumped for the new one. You write really well.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the praise of my writing, I’m currently watching them again. Can’t wait to watch the other two in the series.
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David said:
Second one is the best of the original in my opinion. Thunderdome isn’t too bad though, but is much more commercial. Have fun!
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vinnieh said:
I remember enjoying Road Warrior a lot.
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David said:
Chaotic fun. A blast.
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vinnieh said:
It’s been years since I last saw it but I can’t wait to see it again.
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David said:
Looking forward to your review!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, will be up later today I hope.
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David said:
Sweet! I’ll be sure to read!
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vinnieh said:
Hope you enjoy it.
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David said:
It’s a certainty.
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vinnieh said:
Your’e too kind David.
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theipc said:
Great post! To me, this is my least favorite out of the four of them…. too noisy… too slow in parts….
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vinnieh said:
Cheers Eric, it does drag in parts I have to agree with you there.
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ruth said:
I wanted to see the second Mad Max movie, Road Warrior, this weekend but didn’t get to it. I’ll watch it this weekend I think. Young Mel was so darn gorgeous! He definitely fits the role perfectly!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, my review of the second one is coming up very soon.
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Mel @ The Creative Fox Den said:
Great review! I should rewatch this before I go see the new one 🙂
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vinnieh said:
That sounds like a good plan Mel.
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mlbradford said:
Great Post for th original pedal-to-th-metal rabid roadster!
This brot back some memories – many thanks!
Most people believe Mad Max 2 to b th best of the trilogy but I always prefer this. Why? Th Nightrider, th Toecutter and… of course, th Goose.
Cheers!
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vinnieh said:
If my review brought back memories, I’m happy that it did.
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badblokebob said:
Completely agree about the pacing — it’s a very ‘loose’ film. The opening action sequence is completely incredible, though, and when it finds its way later on it does kick back into gear.
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vinnieh said:
Gotta agree with what you say there, when the action kicks in its amazing to behold.
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