Mad Max Details

Despite its low budget, this highly inventive, violent action picture became an international hit, made a star of Mel Gibson and spawned two sequels. Perhaps the reason it cost so little was that Gibson was being paid by the word, since he, like the rest of the cast, hardly utters a syllable. But what this vigilante fantasy lacks in repartee it makes up for in rip-roaring spectacle, marvellous chase sequences, terrific stunts and natty leather costumes that set an early standard for grunge chic. Gibson is at his mean and moody best as a heroic cop, one of the few who are left trying to hold together a disintegrating society in a bleak and desolate future. In his debut feature, director George Miller exhibits a striking visual style, particularly with his use of fender-level cameras that help crank up the excitement. This landmark classic is as entertaining as it is simple, and greatly influenced subsequent 1980s action fare.

George Miller's film is an outrageous exploiter drawing intelligently on everything from Death Race 2000 to Straw Dogs... read more on Time Out