Mad Max (1979)

George Miller’s Mad Max (1979) is a gritty, post-apocalyptic action thriller that introduced audiences to a dystopian vision of Australia and to one of cinema’s most iconic anti-heroes: Max Rockatansky. A low-budget Australian film that went on to become a cult classic, Mad Max set the stage for a legendary franchise and transformed Mel Gibson into a global star.

Detailed Summary

The Breakdown of Society

Set in a near-future Australia on the brink of societal collapse, law and order have deteriorated. The highways are ruled by violent, anarchic motorcycle gangs, and the remnants of government authority lie with the Main Force Patrol (MFP)—a dwindling police force attempting to maintain some sense of justice.

Max Rockatansky, a skilled and stoic patrol officer, is one of the last remaining figures of order in a world quickly unraveling. Alongside his partner Goose, Max takes on increasingly dangerous criminals who terrorize the roads.

Toecutter and the Rise of Chaos

A violent motorcycle gang led by the flamboyant and psychotic Toecutter rolls into town. After a chase results in the death of one of their gang members (the eerily unstable Nightrider), Toecutter sets his sights on revenge, unleashing his crew on the town’s civilians.

This segment builds the tension and brutality of the world, highlighting the moral decay through acts of random violence, sexual assault, and destruction. The law, such as it is, is ineffective. Max, still trying to uphold justice, becomes more disillusioned as the system fails repeatedly.

The Turning Point: Goose’s Death

The brutal murder of Max’s best friend, Goose, is the moment that starts Max’s emotional spiral. Goose is ambushed and burned alive by Toecutter’s gang. Max, consumed with rage and grief, begins to lose faith in law and order. He quits the force, attempting to retreat from the madness.

He takes his wife Jessie and their young son on vacation, trying to escape the violence. But peace is fleeting.

Jessie’s Murder and Max’s Transformation

Toecutter’s gang catches up to them. Jessie is pursued, harassed, and eventually run down alongside her son. The tragedy is the final straw. Max sheds the last traces of his humanity and becomes a figure of pure vengeance. He returns to the MFP to retrieve a black, heavily modified Ford Falcon Interceptor—the iconic Pursuit Special.

Now outside the law, Max begins a one-man war against the gang.

The Road to Vengeance

One by one, Max hunts down the gang members in a series of violent and satisfying showdowns. He shows no mercy, mirroring the savagery of the world he once fought against. His final act of justice is particularly brutal: he captures Johnny the Boy, one of the gang members, and handcuffs him to a burning wreckage. Max leaves him a hacksaw, giving him a cruel choice—cut off his own foot or die in the flames.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Max driving off into the wasteland, transformed completely. The once principled lawman has become a cold, detached drifter—hardened by personal loss, betrayal, and violence. It’s a bleak but powerful conclusion that sets up the desolate tone of the sequels. There’s no redemption, no catharsis—just survival. Max is now truly mad—broken by a world gone insane.

This ending captures the moral collapse of society and serves as a grim warning of what happens when justice and humanity crumble.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Mad Max (1979) does not have a post-credits scene. Once the credits roll, the story ends definitively. This was well before the era of teasing sequels through mid- or post-credit stingers.

Type of Movie

Mad Max is a post-apocalyptic action thriller with strong elements of revenge drama and dystopian fiction. It’s gritty, violent, and grounded in realism, contrasting later entries in the franchise which leaned more heavily into science fiction and spectacle.

Cast

• 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
• Roger Ward as Fifi

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Brian May (not to be confused with the Queen guitarist). His music is tense, jarring, and full of shrieking strings—perfectly matching the film’s chaotic tone and raw energy. The soundtrack helps build an atmosphere of constant dread and unrelenting intensity.

Filming Locations

Mad Max was filmed in and around Melbourne, Australia, and various remote highways in Victoria, including:

• Little River (Toecutter’s hideout scenes)
• Clunes and Sunbury (town scenes)
• Geelong Highway (chase scenes)

The barren Australian landscape plays a crucial role in conveying the sense of isolation and societal decay. The wide-open roads and scorched terrain heighten the film’s tension and lawless tone.

Awards and Nominations

• Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards: Won for Best Editing and received nominations for Best Original Score and Costume Design.
• Entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most profitable film ever made at the time, relative to budget.
• Despite minimal recognition in Hollywood, it was a critical and commercial success globally, especially in Japan and Europe.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Mel Gibson wasn’t originally meant to audition—he had taken a friend to the casting call and was asked to read a few lines.
• The budget was just $350,000 AUD, which forced innovative shooting methods (e.g., using real bikers as extras).
• The film was initially banned in New Zealand due to its extreme violence.
• Real injuries occurred on set due to the dangerous nature of the stunts and minimal safety regulations at the time.
• Many of the cars were bought for scrap value and destroyed during filming.

Inspirations and References

• Inspired by the 1973 oil crisis and societal fears of collapse.
• George Miller, an ER doctor at the time, witnessed traumatic road accidents, which influenced the brutal realism of the film’s car crashes.
• Influences include Westerns, 1970s biker exploitation films, and classic revenge narratives.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No official alternate ending has been released, but deleted scenes reportedly included more background on Max’s family life and Toecutter’s gang. These were cut to maintain the film’s tight pacing and lean runtime.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is a novelization of the movie, which expands on character thoughts and motivations, but no major departures from the film’s plot. The visual experience and minimalistic storytelling remain central to the movie’s impact.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The opening high-speed chase and fiery death of Nightrider.
• Goose’s horrific death—pinned inside a burning car.
• Max finding his wife and child after the gang’s attack.
• Max’s grim decision to handcuff Johnny to a burning wreckage.
• The final long shot of Max driving into the wasteland alone.

Iconic Quotes

• “I’m a fuel-injected suicide machine!”
• “The chain in those handcuffs is high-tensile steel. It’ll take you ten minutes to hack through it. Now, if you’re lucky, you can hack through your ankle in five.”
• “That’s it! I’m done. I’m through!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Toecutter’s actor, Hugh Keays-Byrne, later returned in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) as Immortan Joe.
• The Interceptor’s iconic design was inspired by American muscle cars, especially the 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT.
• The MFP badge reads “Maintain Right,” a subtle reference to the law’s failing grip.
• A real biker gang was used to save on extras and stunts.

Trivia

• Made over $100 million worldwide on a shoestring budget.
• The film was dubbed in its original U.S. release because the Australian accents were considered too thick.
• George Miller sold his medical equipment to finance the movie.
• It held the record for the most profitable movie until The Blair Witch Project (1999).

Why Watch?

Mad Max is a must-watch for fans of gritty, raw filmmaking and high-octane action. It’s a foundational piece of post-apocalyptic cinema that influenced countless films and genres, from The Road Warrior to The Walking Dead. It’s not just an action movie—it’s a stark depiction of a world unraveling, where justice hangs by a thread and one man is pushed to the edge.

Director’s Other Movies

• Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
• Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
• Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
• Happy Feet (2006)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Road Warrior (1981)
• Escape from New York (1981)
• The Terminator (1984)
• Children of Men (2006)
• The Book of Eli (2010)
• Death Race 2000 (1975)
• Fury Road (2015)