Mad Max

Crazy gonzo revenge exploitation movie MAD MAX was Director George Miller's 1979 debut that spawned a multi-film franchise and propelled Mel Gibson to Hollywood stardom. Inspired by real-life fuel pump shortages and outbreaks of civil disobedience during the global oil crisis in the 70's, Miller conjured up a grim vision of civilisation on the edge of apocalypse, with the fabric of society collapsing and morality correspondingly decaying. A world where murderous gangs of highway roaming bikers led by villains named Toecutter terrorize rural communities, with only the under-funded Main Force Patrol around to uphold the law, and a place where hotshot cop Max Rockatansky (Gibson) will eventually set out to exact a very personal revenge. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to think of Australia as a barren, irradiated wasteland but that's not where Miller's genius and ingenuity ends as he conjures up an inventive world - ripe for expansion as further instalments of the franchise will prove - and spectacular stunts which imbue the film with a constant sense of motion and pushed the envelope of guerrilla action film-making. Though time leaves the original MAD MAX feeling a little crude and raw in comparison to its bigger budget sequels, this is still an exciting and often intense slice of genre film making which makes for continuing compelling viewing.You can now text us anonymously to leave feedback, suggest future content or simply hurl abuse at us. We'll read out any texts we receive on the show. Click here to try it out!We love to hear from our listeners! By which I mean we tolerate it. If it hasn't been completely destroyed yet you can usually find us on twitter @dads_film, on Facebook Bad Dads Film Review, on email at [email protected] or on our website baddadsfilm.com. Until next time, we remain... Bad Dads