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Mad Max

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Mad Max

R

Released Jun 13, 1980

1h 33m

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

69 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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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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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

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Empire Magazine

Simple, but effective.

Rated: 4/5

May 30, 2007

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Arthur Steele

Birmingham Mail

One of the most horrific experiences I have suffered even by current grisly standards... The kind of ghoulish satisfaction that crowds once got from watching murderers disembowelled in public.

Apr 23, 2025

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Shaurya Chawla

InSession Film

While Mad Max may not be the best movie from George Miller, given his work in The Road Warrior, Fury Road and Furiosa, it serves as an incredibly effective entry into the world of fire and blood

Rated: A-

Apr 21, 2025

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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

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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

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Patrick L

The greatest movie of all time per budget! Australian cinema at its best No one in America can make a better movie for less money. ok not the best review but l was 15 when l first saw this. LOL

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

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Les N

So many iconic moments. Shows the budget though. Why did they turn Toecutters' car into a rocket??

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

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Frans B

Flabbergasted the first time I saw it and still the benchmark Mad Max. Real action, real stunts, action and all the elements of a true cult movie. Cast fulfills their characters to a tee.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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The H

Fun movie largely due to great leading lady-- Joanne Samuel. Sexy, appealing and beautiful she makes much of the film like her beautiful lookalike Jenifer Grey did for Dirty Dancing in 1987. Miss. Samuel's scenes as Max's wife Jessie Rockatansky are incredible and the best work of this very good film. These scenes have the most story of any part of this movie. I love her scenes!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

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Alexander S

Although it’s a low-budget start for its era, Mad Max delivers a decent beginning for its apocalyptic premise. However, if you’re already familiar with the series, as I was, this film will feel a bit monotonous during its slow start to an adrenaline-pumping franchise. Eventually, you’ll be rewarded for your patience. Grading: C

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

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George Miller

Director

Mel Gibson

"Mad" Max Rockatansky

Joanne Samuel

Jessie Rockatansky

Hugh Keays-Byrne

Toecutter

Steve Bisley

Jim Goose

Roger Ward

Fifi Macaffee

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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: Crossroads, Kennedy Miller Productions, Mad Max Films
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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