Mad Max makes its way on the 4K Ultra HD format through Kino Lorber Studio Classics where the film is shown in its original 2.35 widescreen aspect ratio and given a 2160p high-definition transfer.
Mad Max : Film Phenomenon (25:35) – Archival featurette with interviews by the cast, crew and film historians on how the film changed the Australian film industry.Īlso included is Trailers from Hell (2:12) with Josh Olson, 3 Radio Spots (2:05), 5 TV Spots (1:27) and 2 Theatrical Trailers (1:56/2:10). Mel Gibson: Birth of a Superstar (16:43) is a profile featurette on the actor and his breakout role in Mad Max. Interviews (26:28) with stars Mel Gibson & Joanne Samuel and Cinematographer David Eggby recorded for the Shout Factory back in 2011. Recorded online due to COVID, this still was interesting to hear from Miller looking back on his iconic film. Road Rage (30:06) is a new interview with Director George Miller. This release comes with a matted slip cover and nice to see the interior cover is different.Īudio Commentary – Art Director Jon Dowding, Cinematographer David Eggby, Special Effects Artist Chris Murray, Moderated by Filmmaker Tim Ridge Mad Max was directed and co-scripted by George Miller who did a pretty damn good job with what he had to work with, utilizing any locales he could and stretching that budget as far as possible while still producing a quality and entertaining product that launched two well regards sequels with a possible third depending on the legalities and our own dystopian-like, post-COVID landscape… It’s easy to see why director George Miller chose the once unknown and, from interviews, starving actor who would take any role that came to him.
The film does feature some fairly well done action sequences and car chases, especially in consideration for the budget, plus has the star making performance from Mel Gibson, who today is criticized (rightfully in many cases) but showed off the on-screen charisma that carried him through the 80s and 90s with the Lethal Weapon franchise and other box office blockbusters. Quick Hit Review: Although I’ve certainly heard of Mad Max, even seeing Mad Max: Fury Road in theaters and subsequently on home video, never sat down to watch the 1979 iconic original and while in comparison its micro budget does sometimes show, I appreciated that this dystopian future thriller doesn’t cram down that element and instead does have a more realistic feel, one where you can imagine that sort of landscape. And when the bikers brutalize Max’s best friend and family, they send him into a mad frenzy that leaves him with only one thing left in the world to live for: revenge! But they underestimate one officer: Max (MEL GIBSON). Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them. Plot Synopsis: In the ravaged near-future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Note: The screen captures were taken from the Blu-ray disc and do not represent the 4K Ultra HD transfer.
Kino Lorber provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post. Writer(s): George Miller and Byron Kennedy (story), James McCausland & George Miller (screenplay)Ĭast: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Tim Burnsįeatures: Commentary, Featurettes, Interviews, TV Spots, Radio Spots, Theatrical TrailerĪudio (4K/BD): English Australian (DTS-HD MA 5.1), English Australian (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono), English Dubbed (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono)Ĭodecs: HEVC / H.265 (4K), MPEG-4 AVC (BD) It’s easy to see why Mad Max has reached cult status, even with the low budget, director George Miller, along with star Mel Gibson’s on-screen charisma, is still very well regarded 40 years later.