Mad Max
Blu-ray (Collector’s Edition)
Director: George Miller
Screenwriter: George Miller, James McCausland
Cast: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, Roger Ward
Scream Factory
Rated R | 93 Minutes
Release Date: May 5, 2015

Directed by George Miller, 1979’s Mad Max is a dystopian Ozploitation film about Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson), a Main Force Patrol officer fighting for peace on the roads of a lawless Australia.

After a major energy crisis cripples the world’s economy, law and order gives way to complete and total anarchy. The Outback is reduced to a desolate wasteland, roamed by motorcycle gangs who scavenge the lands for fuel and terrorize the few good people left. As a result, Main Force Patrol, an out-run police force, has been created to patrol the lands to uphold the remains of law and justice.

A berserk motorcycle gang member named Nightrider (Vincent Gil) kills a rookie officer and attempts to outrun the MFP in a stolen Pursuit Special. Enter Max, who engages the deranged sicko in a high-speed chase that ends in a fiery crash.

Max and the MFP are thrust into an all-out turf war with Nightrider’s gang, The Acolytes. Led by Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne) and Bubba Zanetti (Geoff Parry), The Acolytes continue to rape and pillage the Outback, threatening the livelihood of Max’s wife (Joanne Samuel) and their infant son (Brendan Heath).

As a kid, I saw The Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome before I saw Mad Max. As a result, I associated the franchise with post-apocalyptic death machines, hockey masks, and lots of leather. I was also a huge pro wrestling fan, so I knew Hawk and Animal as The Road Warriors, but also recognized that WWF’s Demolition tag team stole their studded leather gear from Lord Humungus.

When I eventually got around to seeing the original 1979 film, I was surprised to find that it wasn’t populated with motorcycle-riding mutants or muscular freaks in sports equipment. The difference between the two films is comparable to Alien and Aliens – they’re two incredible films, in two entirely different genres, that both work on their own terms.

I have a newfound appreciation for Mad Max after watching this Scream Factory Blu-ray. This is not only one of the best Scream Factory releases to date – second only to their incredible Escape from New York release – but the definitive version of Miller’s debut motion picture.

In addition to the AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.34:1, there are three audio options, including the original Australian version in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 mono, as well as the English (American) dub in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. There’s also some fantastic special features including Mel Gibson: The Birth Of A Superstar, Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon, and a slew of new interviews with Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, David Eggby, and more.

Scream Factory’s Mad Max (Collector’s Edition) Blu-ray is now available at Amazon. Check out the full list of bonus features, the release trailer, and movie clips and cover art below!

Bonus Features

* Contains original Australian English audio and US English dubbed audio
* NEW Interviews with Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, and David Eggby
* Audio Commentary by Jon Dowding, David Eggby, and more
* Mel Gibson: The Birth Of A Superstar
* Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon
* Theatrical trailers & TV spots
* Photo galleries

Trailer

“Explosive Crash” Clip

“Max vs. Biker Gang” Clip

Cover Art

Fun fact: there was a wrestler in the Memphis territory who called himself “Lord Humongous” and wrestled as the hockey mask-wearing villain.

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