Mad Max (1979)

	Directed by: George Miller	COUNTRY Australia GENRE Action/Road NORWEGIAN TITLE Mad Max RUNNING TIME 93 minutes
	Produced by: Byron Kennedy
	Written by: James McCausland George Miller

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Max Rockatansky	Mel Gibson
Jessie Rockatansky	Joanne Samuel
Toecutter	Hugh Keays-Byrne	½
Jim "Goose" Rains	Steve Bisley
Johnny the Boy	Tim Burns	-
Fred "Fifi" Macaffee	Roger Ward	-
Mudguts	David Bracks	-

Review

A dystopian near future in the Australian backwoods, populated by sinister roving gangs and leather-clad policemen driving muscle cars and motorcycles. George Miller creates a macho world in which fossil fuels, snarling engines and the masculinity of machinery are romanticised. It's a vision, though he lacks a real story. And, of course, he lacks a budget. Every time the director runs out of resources or ideas, he employs an abrupt cut to the next frame or scene. The film is constantly on the move, despite not really going anywhere. Miller is honing his craft here. The puerile tone is clearly by design, but it's puerile nonetheless. His world and characters would become sharpened and a lot more fleshed out with time and experience. Mel Gibson gained instant international notice – arguably more for his beauty than his acting at this point.