7 / 10. A raw, crude and bonkers Australian post-apocalyptic thriller, spawning a cult series and forging Mel Gibson into a superstar

Mad Max is an Australian post-apocalyptic thriller film directed by George Miller, with a screenplay by Miller and James McCausland.

Mad Max and Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior take place in a world set after social and economic collapse in civilisation following an oil crisis, but before the nuclear war which happens as a result of this, where Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome takes place. The events and timeline are not completely clear … Director George Miller is pretty vague himself about the backstory and lineage, including the reboot, Fury Road and Furiosa.

But that doesn’t matter, and let’s face it, the events leading up to this film’s world are not that far-fetched in the current climate of the real world. They are raw, crude and bonkers post-apocalyptic thrillers which sparked my awe in Sci-Fi and cinema at a young age.

During this new chaotic, dystopian world, "Mad" Max Rockatansky, a police officer with the Main Force Patrol, clashes with a feral motorbike gang, led by “Nightrider,” and goes on a revenge mission after they attack his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son, and goes, well, mad.

The evolution of Max Rockatansky starts here and continues through Road Warrior and Beyond Thunderdome. The first sets up Max’s story, Toecutter and his biker gang are erratic and unnervingly unpredictable, and the collision of their paths in the wasteland set off the events that change Max.

There was no big budget for Max’s first outing, and it loses pace in the middle section, but it’s a fun ride with amazing crashes and stunts. The red and yellow interceptors and Max’s V8-powered black Pursuit Special are gorgeous. The bike with the odd little side car is hilarious.

Mel Gibson is at peak hotness and gives a great performance in these cult films and was forged into a superstar.

Hugh Keays-Byrne who plays Toecutter in Mad Max, also plays Immortan Joe in the reboot Mad Max: Fury Road. I like the idea that Toecutter became Joe, still hell bent on taking Max down, but who knows?

“I am the Night Rider.”