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Mad Max

Play trailer Poster for Mad Max R Released Jun 13, 1980 1h 33m Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In a not-too-distant dystopian future, when man's most precious resource -- oil -- has been depleted and the world plunged into war, famine and financial chaos, the last vestiges of the law in Australia attempt to restrain a vicious biker gang. Max (Mel Gibson), an officer with the Main Force Patrol, launches a personal vendetta against the gang when his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son are hunted down and murdered, leaving him with nothing but the instincts for survival and retribution.
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Mad Max

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Critics Consensus

Staging the improbable car stunts and crashes to perfection, director George Miller succeeds completely in bringing the violent, post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max to visceral life.

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Critics Reviews

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Bruce McCabe Boston Globe If punk is a sensibility as well as an adjective, Mad Max is a punk movie. Its Australian setting enhances it, authenticating its futuristic aura. Apr 27, 2018 Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine [The] film has been consigned to the grind houses, where audiences are responding as Miller wants them to. From there Mad Max will find its way to the film schools and revival houses, where its tough-gutted intelligence may be appreciated. May 11, 2015 Full Review Empire Magazine Simple, but effective. Rated: 4/5 May 30, 2007 Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast A low-budget achievement and an impressive, flashy debut by George Miller. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3/5 Jun 1, 2024 Full Review Akhil Arora AkhilArora.com At times more horror than action, the Mad Max movie that started it all is quite sinister. The editing style, the sound effects, the background score, and the shot composition are all testament to that. May 31, 2024 Full Review Cory Woodroof For the Win (USA Today) The first film in the franchise was a low-budget triumph that established Miller as a meaningful force in global cinema. May 29, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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James Probably the best Mad Max movie in the series. The best, most developed villains in the series for sure. In fact The Toecutter is one of the best all-time villains in cinema. So great to see this classic movie on the big screen. I hope the Gateway will also show The Road Warrior too. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/25/24 Full Review Greg D Does not hold up very well in my opinion. Also crazy what the series would inevitably become, given this is the starting point. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/14/25 Full Review Kelly Ann W Fantastic crazy thrilling and scary movie that is truly unique and different. Almost like a peak into the future if we don't remain a civilized people. Mel Gibson was amazing ! The roads, the terrain, the acting was all so neat. One of my all time favorites for a post apocalyptic world movie and the hope you still have to keep in order to survive Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/25 Full Review Samuel W An outstanding cult classic that spawned an entire sub genre of movies, but delivers an underwhelming plot as you wait for what happens next. A tense, psychological thriller about the end of law, and a societal collapse, it portrays how humanity reacts to one another when their values are stripped away and the lawful civilization is on its last end. With the underwhelming plot aside, the acting and costume design, and the creation of beautiful shots without much money to do with at all, makes for an authentic, unique experience unlike any other. Mel Gibson becomes the Mad Max that spawned an entire franchise of apocalyptic, car-wrecking phenomena. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/01/25 Full Review Conrad C The movie's commitment to portraying an apocalyptic future is shaky at best, and I learned more about the world Mad Max was set in from the snippet on this website than from watching the whole film. It's a rare complaint that there wasn't enough exposition, but you have to convey information as crucial as that to your audience somehow. The movie felt more like an excuse to film car and motorcycle chase scenes. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/02/25 Full Review Daniel C. M This a movie you can only truly appreciate on it's second viewing. A lot of runtime is eaten up by unnecessary scenes that drag too much of the villains doing typical and cheesy villain stuff, obviously an consequence of it's low budget. Though if you can get by that, you will see amazing and genuine vehicle action that is supported by the powerhouse that is Mel Gibson. The worldbuilding is very fine though, one of the first, if not the first, truly pre-apocalyptic movies there is. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In a not-too-distant dystopian future, when man's most precious resource -- oil -- has been depleted and the world plunged into war, famine and financial chaos, the last vestiges of the law in Australia attempt to restrain a vicious biker gang. Max (Mel Gibson), an officer with the Main Force Patrol, launches a personal vendetta against the gang when his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son are hunted down and murdered, leaving him with nothing but the instincts for survival and retribution.
Director
George Miller
Producer
Byron Kennedy
Screenwriter
James McCausland, George Miller
Distributor
American International Pictures
Production Co
Kennedy Miller Productions, Mad Max Films, Crossroads
Rating
R
Genre
Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 13, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 24, 2016
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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