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National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive

Mad Max: The original movie

It's hard to overstate the influence of Mad Max – on filmmakers, action cinema and the course of Australian movies.

Made for a paltry AUD$380,000 by George Miller in 1979, the independently-funded film for a time held the Guinness World Record for the highest box-office-to-budget ratio of any motion picture.

It also launched a long-running franchise and was a pivotal stepping stone to international careers for Miller and star Mel Gibson.

Mad Max audiences respond enthusiastically to its dystopian vision, extraordinary stunt work and especially the souped-up motorbikes and cars.

This curated collection features a selection of interviews, posters and clips from the film, introducing us to George Miller's Mad Max universe.

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