Mad Max

R

Released Jun 13, 1980

1h 33m

Action

Adventure

List

90%

Tomatometer

71 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

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

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

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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

Vishal S

Brilliant watch. Absolute fresh idea showing the sides of human in uthopian era with genre of bikes and cars! must watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/15/24

Full Review

Jay U

Film war scheiße aber broom broom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Griffith J

Main plot points are good but the setup & exposition are so aggressively brushed over that most of this feels illogical & unnatural. The set pieces, crashes, & car chases are enjoyable as a clear passion project with interesting world building.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/09/24

Full Review

Alexandre V

Um filme 'Cult' que com certeza é um dos melhores e mais impactantes na categoria filmes de ação.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Reviewers need to realize this came out in 1980 with a budget of less than $2 million in today's terms. Mel Gibson was just out of acting school, so of course it has dated and also seems budget and corny compared to today standards but back in 1980 this was and still is amazing. This is the original and a cult classic and far better than the $150 million newer films!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

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86%

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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: 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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