Mad Max Storms Blu-ray!
One of the most influential movies of the post-apocalyptic genre, Mad Max will arrive on Blu-ray on October 5. This is the movie that catapulted the career of an unknown Mel Gibson into a box-office draw. In this movie, Gibson stars as Max Rockatansky who is basically Dirty Harry of Australia. Set in a dystopian future, where the civilized world as we know it has ended and societal norms have degraded to the point that gangs openly terrorize what’s left of the populace. The only source of law and order is the Main Force Patrol (MFP), the Federal highway police unit, of whom Max belongs who are tasked with unenviable job of maintaining a semblance of order. Considering that this movie was director George Miller’s second movie and first feature film, it has had an amazing longevity and has even spawned a franchise – two directed sequels (The Road Warrior in 1981 and Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome in 1985). Even as I write this, the fourth film in the series (sans Gibson) is currently in production and is tentatively titled Mad Max 4: Fury Road. While we all wait for that movie, let’s take a look at what the upcoming Blu-ray that started the franchise offers:
THIS TIME ON BLU-RAY
For the First Time on Blu-Ray October 5th
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 30, 2010) – The “take no prisoners” cop MAD MAX rides onto Blu-ray for the first time October 5 as MGM Home Entertainment releases the post-apocalyptic action classic. Starring Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Lethal Weapon) and directed by George Miller (Happy Feet, Babe: Pig in the City), MAD MAX was hailed by the New York Times as one of the “Best 1000 Movies Ever.”
Considered one of the best films of 1979, MAD MAX garnered three Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards for editing, sound and musical score. The film was also nominated by the AFI for Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Keays-Byrne).
In the ravaged near future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them. But they underestimate one officer: Max Rockatansky (Gibson). And when the bikers brutalize Max’s best friend and family, they send him into a mad frenzy that leaves him seeking revenge, which is the only thing left in the world for Max to live for.
The MAD MAX Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack is available for the suggested retail price of $24.99 U.S. /$25.99 Canada. Prebook is September 8.
DISC ONE (Blu-ray):
- Filmmaker Commentary by Jon Dowding, David Eggby, Chris Murray & Tim Ridge
- Documentary: “Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon”
- New-To-The-U.S. Original Australian Language Track
- Two theatrical trailers
- TV Spots
MAD MAX Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack:
DISC TWO (DVD):
- New Digitally Remastered Transfer
- “Mel Gibson: The Birth Of A Star” Documentary
- “Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon” Documentary
- New-To-The-U.S. Original Australian Language Track
- Theatrical Trailers”Road Rants” Trivia & Fun Fact Track
- Photo Gallery
- TV Spots
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Pre-order your copy of Mad Max today!
Day #1. I have The Road Warrior on HD DVD. I’m waiting for this one, so I can do a double feature. I wish the third one would come out as well.
I miss “Good” Mel
I’m interested in checking this one out and seeing how it looks on Blu-ray. I have not seen this film for years!
Gerard – My wife is also waiting for Thunderdome as that is one of her favorite movies for some reason. I’m not sure why they are releasing these movies out of order. I hate it when they do that. First they released 2 and now 1 and there’s been no announcement for 3 at all. You would think the third one would be the one that most people would want as it was the most popular.
Aaron- We will always have the Lethal Weapon series. Nothing can take that away from us.
Brian- I’ll let you know how it turns out. It’s an old movie and was most likely shot on the cheap so I don’t have high hopes but I hope I’m pleasantly surprised.