What is the best Australian movie ever made? Walkabout? Wake in Fright? The Piano? Picnic at Hanging Rock? The Babadook? All worthy contenders, no doubt, but they’re all wrong answers. The only acceptable response regarding the best movie from the Land Down Under is Mad Max, George Miller’s marauding motorist mania that celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2024. Never mind the billion-dollar franchise it spawned, the creative ingenuity and low-budget DIY filmmaking of the original remains one of the most impressive cinematic feats on record.
A true independent movie with a rebellious spirit, Mad Max was made in just 12 weeks for a paltry $350,000 yet went on to gross $185 million worldwide. The film introduced the world to Mel Gibson, who would go on to play the badass road-racing Main Force Patrol officer Max Rockatansky twice more en route to becoming a bona fide Hollywood action star. Now, with the law-enforcing...
A true independent movie with a rebellious spirit, Mad Max was made in just 12 weeks for a paltry $350,000 yet went on to gross $185 million worldwide. The film introduced the world to Mel Gibson, who would go on to play the badass road-racing Main Force Patrol officer Max Rockatansky twice more en route to becoming a bona fide Hollywood action star. Now, with the law-enforcing...
- 5/22/2024
- by Jake Dee
- JoBlo.com
When people think about Academy Award-nominated directors, George Miller is probably not one of the first names that come to mind. Academy Award-nominated films have a certain connotation – typically we think of movies that are serious, but maybe a bit stodgy, ambitious, but classically-minded, crowd-pleasing, but rote. In the general public’s mind, Academy Award-nominated films are usually well-made, stuffy dramas that are more akin to eating your vegetables than pigging out on something decadent and different. But Miller makes odd, energetic genre films, something the Academy historically has ignored — unless this particular director is involved.
Miller, whose new film Three Thousand Years of Longing is out today, may be our weirdest highly decorated filmmaker still stretching his gifts. His last film, 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, the fourth entry in his post-apocalyptic action series that saw a 30-year gap between installments, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Miller, whose new film Three Thousand Years of Longing is out today, may be our weirdest highly decorated filmmaker still stretching his gifts. His last film, 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, the fourth entry in his post-apocalyptic action series that saw a 30-year gap between installments, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
- 8/27/2022
- by Nick Harley
- Den of Geek
Burbank, CA, September 28, 2021 – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that The Mad Max Anthology, featuring 1979’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic action film Mad Max, 1981’s Mad Max The Road Warrior, 1985’s Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and 2015’s Mad Max Fury Road will be released together on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD on November 2. Created by George Miller and Byron Kennedy, Miller directed or co-directed all four films. Mel Gibson starred as Max Rockatansky in the first three films and Tom Hardy took over the lead role in the fourth film. Additionally Mad Max The Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome will also be available individually in 4K, joining Mad Max and Mad Max Fury Road which are already available in 4K.
The Mad Max Anthology 4K Uhd release, along with the 4K Uhd releases of Mad Max The Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, are from...
The Mad Max Anthology 4K Uhd release, along with the 4K Uhd releases of Mad Max The Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, are from...
- 9/29/2021
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Greetings from The Humungus! The Lord Humungus! The Warrior of the Wasteland! The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla!”
arner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that The Mad Max Anthology, featuring 1979’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic action film Mad Max, 1981’s Mad Max The Road Warrior, 1985’s Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and 2015’s Mad Max Fury Road will be released together on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD on November 2. Created by George Miller and Byron Kennedy, Miller directed or co-directed all four films. Mel Gibson starred as Max Rockatansky in the first three films and Tom Hardy took over the lead role in the fourth film. Additionally Mad Max The Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome will also be available individually in 4K, joining Mad Max and Mad Max Fury Road which are already available in 4K.
The Mad Max Anthology 4K Uhd release, along with the 4K...
arner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that The Mad Max Anthology, featuring 1979’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic action film Mad Max, 1981’s Mad Max The Road Warrior, 1985’s Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and 2015’s Mad Max Fury Road will be released together on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD on November 2. Created by George Miller and Byron Kennedy, Miller directed or co-directed all four films. Mel Gibson starred as Max Rockatansky in the first three films and Tom Hardy took over the lead role in the fourth film. Additionally Mad Max The Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome will also be available individually in 4K, joining Mad Max and Mad Max Fury Road which are already available in 4K.
The Mad Max Anthology 4K Uhd release, along with the 4K...
- 9/28/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Mad Max
Written by James McCausland and George Miller
Directed by George Miller
Australia, 1979
Somewhere in Australia are the first signs of the beginning of the end, the end of civilization as most people in the Western understand it, that is. While cities and towns still seem to exist, the institutions that govern them and protect society appear cracked and on the brink of disaster, such as the ‘’Halls of Justice’’ where highway patrol man Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) is employed defend the public from the insane biker gangs led by the one they call Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Together with partner Jim ‘’Goose’’ (Steve Bisley), Max is forced to reckon with savagery and brutality on the open road. Although equipped with his powerful Ford Falcon, Max still fears what is to come, or what might happen to him, his wife Jessie (Joanne Samuel) and young son. He represents the law,...
Written by James McCausland and George Miller
Directed by George Miller
Australia, 1979
Somewhere in Australia are the first signs of the beginning of the end, the end of civilization as most people in the Western understand it, that is. While cities and towns still seem to exist, the institutions that govern them and protect society appear cracked and on the brink of disaster, such as the ‘’Halls of Justice’’ where highway patrol man Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) is employed defend the public from the insane biker gangs led by the one they call Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Together with partner Jim ‘’Goose’’ (Steve Bisley), Max is forced to reckon with savagery and brutality on the open road. Although equipped with his powerful Ford Falcon, Max still fears what is to come, or what might happen to him, his wife Jessie (Joanne Samuel) and young son. He represents the law,...
- 5/12/2015
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Just in time for the release of Fury Road comes Scream Factory’s stellar Mad Max Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of the 1979 original revenge actioner that introduced most of the world to both Australian cinema and a young, rising star, Mel Gibson. Its influences are still being felt over 35 years later and it’s undoubtedly one of the best introductory films from a then-untested George Miller, who proved that even back then, he had an amazing eye for creating fluid action sequences.
Mad Max was Miller and co-writer James McCausland’s response to the growing global concern for a lack of oil after an embargo out of the Middle East in the early 1970’s sent much of the general public into a panic once fuel supplies began running low and prices sky-rocketed everywhere. Realizing the potential for violence under these circumstances, both Miller and McCausland dreamed up a dystopic future...
Mad Max was Miller and co-writer James McCausland’s response to the growing global concern for a lack of oil after an embargo out of the Middle East in the early 1970’s sent much of the general public into a panic once fuel supplies began running low and prices sky-rocketed everywhere. Realizing the potential for violence under these circumstances, both Miller and McCausland dreamed up a dystopic future...
- 5/6/2015
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Welcome back, fiends! Over the last two days we’ve looked at the first 10 milestones in independent horror filmmaking, starting in 1921 and ending up in 1977 with David Lynch’s Eraserhead .
Today we begin in the year 1978 and take you through the next five milestones of indie horror up until the year 1981.
1978- Joe Dante Directs Piranha:
Before he was terrifying this writer as a small child with his gritty werewolf tale The Howling (the animated werewolf sex scene remains to this day an all-time favorite of mine) or capturing the imaginations of children and adults alike with Gremlins, director Joe Dante started off working for the iconic B-Movie master Roger Corman.
Dante paid his dues in the industry by coming up under the tutelage of Corman for several years, working as an editor on several projects as well as co-directing Hollywood Boulevard . It was in 1978 that Dante would get his big break.
Today we begin in the year 1978 and take you through the next five milestones of indie horror up until the year 1981.
1978- Joe Dante Directs Piranha:
Before he was terrifying this writer as a small child with his gritty werewolf tale The Howling (the animated werewolf sex scene remains to this day an all-time favorite of mine) or capturing the imaginations of children and adults alike with Gremlins, director Joe Dante started off working for the iconic B-Movie master Roger Corman.
Dante paid his dues in the industry by coming up under the tutelage of Corman for several years, working as an editor on several projects as well as co-directing Hollywood Boulevard . It was in 1978 that Dante would get his big break.
- 3/9/2011
- by thehorrorchick
- DreadCentral.com
Chicago – It’s funny to me that there’s probably going to be an entire generation that sees Mel Gibson as a message-leaving lunatic and won’t fully understand how he became one of the biggest stars in the world. In the ’80s and most of the ’90s, he was at the top of the celebrity game and it all started with Max Rockatansky, the actor’s breakthrough role in “Mad Max,” now available on Blu-ray for the first time.
Television Rating: 3.5/5.0
A number of ’80s action classics are now available on Blu-ray but few play as well or look as good as George Miller’s excellent “Mad Max.” If the film hadn’t been followed by an even-better sequel in the amazing “The Road Warrior,” “Mad Max” would be more appreciated for being a truly landmark action film. If you do pick up and watch “Mad Max” on Blu-ray,...
Television Rating: 3.5/5.0
A number of ’80s action classics are now available on Blu-ray but few play as well or look as good as George Miller’s excellent “Mad Max.” If the film hadn’t been followed by an even-better sequel in the amazing “The Road Warrior,” “Mad Max” would be more appreciated for being a truly landmark action film. If you do pick up and watch “Mad Max” on Blu-ray,...
- 10/21/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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