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Mad Max on DVD (1979)

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Average rating: 66%
1114520181735
3.5
from 3,956 members
 
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Steven Bisley
Director: George Miller
Studio: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time: 88 mins
Certificate: 18
User collections: My top Tens from the Eighties, Post Apocalyptic, My favourites, The Cool, Apocalypse Cinema, ems, Best FREAKIN films EVR!!!, Death to the Blockbuster, Long-live a Tight Budget!!, Australian Film, Seventies Sci Fi that rocks (without being Star Wars)
Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Languages: English
Dubbed: French, Italian
Hearing-impaired: English, Italian
Subtitles: Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish
Released: 08/10/2001
Also Available on:  Also Available on: DIGITAL

Brief synopsis of Mad Max

Rebel bikers combat the police in a bleak post-nuclear future where the highways are bloody battlegrounds. When a gang of motorcyclists brutally murder a policeman's family he becomes Mad Max, avenger of the highways. Sequel: "The Road Warrior."

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 5 stars out of 5 Radio Times

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.

Time Out

George Miller's film is an outrageous exploiter drawing intelligently on everything from Death Race 2000 to Straw Dogs... Read more on www.timeout.com

Rating of 1 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Violent extravaganza with no real merit save its enthusiasm for destruction of both bikes and bodies.

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsI'm a fuel injected suicide machine.

JediSi JediSi , 03/09/2007

In the future Australia is a near-lawless, desolate country (only in the future?) where gangs live for the violence and thrill of the road. The police are under-funded and spend their time chasing down speeding criminals. The best of these is Max Rockatansky, who proves his superiority on the road when he chases down and kills the notorious Night Rider. His colleagues admire him for this but the Night Rider's leader, Toecutter, swears revenge.

It was the very rawness and budgetary constraints of this little flick that made it what it was. Beautiful cinematography, fast paced action and awesome stunts make this movie a winner. Does look a little dated now but “Mad Max' still stands out as a very impressive movie. A classic tale of retribution and justice.

  17 out of 19 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsMediocre Max

Francis Houseman from Autumn Falls, England , 29/09/2005

This is one of Mel Gibsons earlier roles which is probably why he can appear slightly wooden at times. It was slightly predicatable in parts and I can only hope the sequels allow our knowledge of the character of Mad Max to deepen.

Plus ponts :bikers and car chase a plenty for the lads... and obviously Mel Gibson (although somewhat boyish in this film!) for the girlies.

  14 out of 16 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsDisappointing

sparkes from Avon , 03/05/2004

I was expecting a lot after hearing so much about this film, and ended up disappointed.

This is nowhere near the great film I was expecting. The story line is very thin, and both performances and directing aren't anything exceptional (Mel Gibson, very young, is not bad though). Overall, this is an enjoyable way to spend 1h30, just nothing more.

Tip for the DVD: before you watch the film, go to the set-up menu and select language 'original Australian' or like me you'll wonder during the entire film why the voices are not in sync and why Mel Gibson voice changed so much with time!

  8 out of 10 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsStrange film but great

A customer from Kent , 20/05/2005

This is a rather odd film, worrying if this is what the future may bring.

Despite its rather odd feel it is a great film, that resulted in two sequels that were not quite as good but still both enjoyable.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 2 starsMediocre Max

Francis Houseman from Autumn Falls, England , 29/09/2005

This is one of Mel Gibsons earlier roles which is probably why he can appear slightly wooden at times. It was slightly predicatable in parts and I can only hope the sequels allow our knowledge of the character of Mad Max to deepen.

Plus ponts :bikers and car chase a plenty for the lads... and obviously Mel Gibson (although somewhat boyish in this film!) for the girlies.

  14 out of 16 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsClassic Road Movie

A customer from Uk , 15/09/2004

Classic for petrol heads , quality of film not great..but hey..the film makes up for this with a great story, and the following two films in the series made for better quality.

  0 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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