Before Furiosa: How Mad Max redefined post-apocalyptic movies
Published 2024-05-04
Featuring exclusive, recent interviews with Joanne Samuel (Jessie in the first Mad Max film), Bruce Spence (The Gyrocopter Captain in Mad Max 2), and Emil Minty (The Feral Kid in Mad Max 2), this documentary delves deep into the legendary Mad Max saga.
When George Miller and Byron Kennedy released their indie movie debut, Mad Max, in 1979, they unleashed what would become the most profitable film in cinema history. Its sequel, Mad Max 2 (known as The Road Warrior in the US), released in 1981, further revolutionised the genre by setting the visual standard for post-apocalyptic cinema.
We also visit Silverton, the iconic filming location of Mad Max 2, now home to the extensive Mad Max 2 Museum. More than four decades later, Silverton remains a pilgrimage site for fans, celebrating the enduring legacy of a franchise that continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Mad Max: Furiosa, tipped to be one of 2024’s biggest films, this documentary offers an in-depth look at the origins and impact of a series that not only redefined action cinema but also continues to influence filmmakers and captivate audiences across generations.
Video by Tom Compagnoni.
#MadMax #furiosa #movies #documentary #entertainment
00:00 Influence and cultural impact of Mad Max
00:58 Making the first Mad Max film (Joanne Samuel)
04:33 Filming action on a motorbike (David Eggby)
07:35 First time seeing Mad Max and working on Mad Max 2 (Bruce Spence)
09:53 Costume design by Norma Moricau
10:53 Playing The Feral Kid (Emil Minty)
13:32 Mad Max 2 Celebration: 40 Years in Silverton
15:00 Adrian Bennett and the Mad Max 2 Museum
17:05 The genius of George Miller
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All Comments (21)
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For me Mad Max II: The Road Warrior became the template for every Post-Apocalyptic story in any storytelling medium
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The fact that there's a museum and and a festival honoring the legacy of the Mad Max films brings me so much joy sitting at my desk a world a way..
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I love how she refers to the dangers associated with making the film as being, “…very Australian don’t you think?”. That is so badass to me. Much respect goes out to them and anyone willing to risk so much for their art form. That’s how greatness is achieved.
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'In the roar of an engine, he lost everything '....
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Fark - 180km/h on the back of a bike with a hand held camera and no helmet. That's absolutely legendary!
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To me, the appeal of Mad Max is a timeless story told in a very unique world. I think the story of Max is about a man who loses and regains his humanity in a world gone crazy. So yes, the complete heroes journey
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Love all the Mad Max films - such a unique look, energy and genius worldbuilding. The V8 interceptor is still the baddest motherf*cking car on film!
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The stories behind the movie are twice as epic.....
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I was way too young to see the first Mad Max during its cinema release, and had to contend with seeing it on VHS in the 80s. One day I'll see it on the big screen, if only out of respect to the ridiculous amount of hard work that went into it.
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Because WE KNOW Mad Max IS OUR FUTURE.
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Brilliantly produced
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1 & 2 are masterpieces…. but no matter how many times I watch it breaks my heart when The Interceptor gets destroyed ☹️
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I grew up with Mad Max. It helped me get through Afghanistan. Now I drive truck. When the pandemic kicked off I seriously looked some canned dog food and asker if we're going full Mad Max. With inflation we may yet discover.
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Mad Max essentially gave birth to "The First of the North Star" in Japan. Over time it grew into huge entertainment property.
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Saw the Road Warrior at the drive in, back when they still existed. A classic. One reason these films work is because they acknowledge a basic truth about humanity: the simplest form of government is tribalism. It can be brutal, but it is easy to establish and offers a sense of security that going it alone does not. Like Max I would try to avoid people. But like Max I would end up entangled with them regardless.
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Wonderful video, Mad Max 1&2 are two of my favorite movies of all time.
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LOVE every single film in the saga. Hopefully Furiosa lives up to that as well. You can see the 'Thunderdome' in at least a dozen rock videos too....
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Original Mad Max was 18+ in Melbourne when released, but that didn't stop us from getting in.
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I read the book when I was 15, totally blew me away, then hid in the back of my mates panel van to see it at the drive in because it was rated R, good times....
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Hopefully one day we get another Mad Max movie actually about Mad Max again.
