Lexi Webster
The Mad Max films are set in a post-apocalyptic world where the Australian society has collapsed due to a severe oil crisis. While the country is never explicitly mentioned in the films, there are subtle hints and references to the Australian landscape and culture, including the use of Australian slang and cars specific to the Australian market. The prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga confirms that the films are set in Australia, with the opening shot zooming in on the continent from outer space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Setting | Australia |
| Director | George Miller |
| Writers | George Miller, James McCausland, Nico Lathouris, Brendan McCarthy, Terry Hayes |
| Stars | Mel Gibson, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth |
| Filmed in | Australia, Namibia |
| Plot | Dystopian, post-apocalyptic, biker gangs, criminal gangs, societal collapse, oil crisis |
| References to Australia | Australian slang, Australian cars, Sydney Harbour, West Gate Bridge, Melbourne |
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What You'll Learn
Mad Max is an Australian film
The film is deeply rooted in Australian history and culture. The 1973 oil crisis in Australia, which caused a sense of unease in the nation, served as a crucial inspiration for the movie's storyline. The film incorporates Australian slang and features Australian-made cars, further emphasizing its Australian setting.
While the first Mad Max film is explicitly set in Australia, the subsequent films in the franchise, particularly Mad Max: Fury Road, adopt a more ambiguous approach. They hint at an Australian setting through subtle references and shared characters and settings with the first film, but they do not explicitly state their location. For example, Fury Road was filmed in Namibia, contributing to the perception of an undefined, post-apocalyptic world.
However, the prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga confirms that the events of the Mad Max films are indeed set in Australia. The film opens with a shot of the continent from outer space, leaving no doubt that the story unfolds on the Australian landscape. This confirmation reinforces the longstanding assumption that the Mad Max franchise, with its distinct Australian influences, is inherently tied to the geography and culture of Australia.
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The film is based on a dystopian Australia
The Mad Max films are based on a dystopian Australia. The first Mad Max film, released in 1979, is set in a dystopian Australia where the government is incapable of effectively protecting its citizens. The story follows Max Rockatansky, a skilled policeman trying to maintain order on the highways. When a biker gang murders his wife and child, Max embarks on a journey of revenge, becoming disillusioned with the collapse of society. The remaining films in the franchise follow Max's adventures in the wasteland, with the world plunged into further chaos due to global war and the collapse of old society, dominated by gangs and warlords.
While the films do not explicitly confirm their Australian setting, there are subtle hints throughout the franchise. The use of Australian slang, such as "Fang it," "Guzzoline," and "Thunder up," and the prevalence of Australian-made cars, like the Ford Falcons driven by the MFP, strongly suggest an Australian backdrop. Additionally, specific locations within the films, such as the Hall of Justice in Melbourne and the remains of Sydney Harbour in Thunderdome, further reinforce the Australian setting.
The director, George Miller, is Australian, and the 1973 oil crisis in Australia inspired him to create a world where individuals took desperate measures to maintain their way of life. The franchise's ambiguity regarding its setting adds to its mythological and post-apocalyptic feel, with places eventually losing their names and locations. However, the prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga confirms the Australian setting by zooming in on the continent from outer space, leaving no doubt that the story unfolds on the Oceanic continent.
The film's setting in a dystopian Australia is evident through its portrayal of a society struggling with a severe oil crisis, fuel shortages, looting, and the breakdown of law and order. The vast Australian outbacks and deserts provide the perfect backdrop for the post-apocalyptic world depicted in the films. The combination of Australian references, cultural influences, and the confirmation from the prequel film cements the franchise's connection to Australia, despite the intentional vagueness of certain installments like Fury Road.
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There are references to Australian slang in the movie
The Mad Max movie franchise features several references to Australian slang. The first Mad Max film, released in 1979, is an Australian action film directed by George Miller, who is Australian himself. The film is set in a dystopian Australia and includes several references to the country and its car culture. For example, the MFP exclusively drives Ford Falcons, which were specific to the Australian market. The film also features shots of the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne and ruined Sydney Harbour, further indicating that it is set in Australia.
The subsequent films in the franchise, including Mad Max 2 (released as The Road Warrior in the US), Beyond Thunderdome, and Fury Road, also include references to Australian slang and culture. For example, the term "fang it", which means "drive fast" in Australia, is used several times in Fury Road. Another term used in the film is "rev-head", which refers to a car enthusiast. The character Toecutter's name is also Australian slang for a criminal who robs other criminals.
While the setting of Fury Road is less clear and could theoretically take place anywhere, Miller has confirmed that it is set in Australia. The film was shot in Namibia, which may have contributed to the more ambiguous setting. However, it still includes references to Australian slang and culture, such as the term "schlanger", which is an old Australian insult.
The use of Australian slang and cultural references in the Mad Max films has led to speculation about the setting of the franchise, even if it is not always explicitly stated. The inclusion of these references adds a layer of authenticity to the films and helps ground them in a recognisable world, even as they explore a post-apocalyptic future.
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Mad Max was filmed in the Australian desert
Mad Max is an Australian action film franchise directed by George Miller. The first film in the series, Mad Max, was released in 1979 and was filmed in Melbourne and around Victoria, Australia. The film is set in a dystopian Australia where the government is incapable of protecting its citizens, and a highway policeman, Max Rockatansky, seeks revenge on a biker gang that murdered his wife and child.
The original Mad Max film was shot at various locations in and around Melbourne, including Seaford Beach in Seaford, Anakie Road in Geelong, and the Spotswood Pumping Station in Spotswood. The exterior of the MFP headquarters was filmed in Clunes, and the police garage scenes were shot in the Southern Car Park of the University of Melbourne. The famous shot of the 'Halls of Justice', the dilapidated headquarters of the Main Force Patrol (MFP), was filmed at the South Melbourne Gasworks in Port Melbourne.
The film also features locations such as Beach Road (State Route 33) at Potter Street in Black Rock, Exford Road just south of Melton, and Greigs Road over the Werribee River. The burning car scene with Johnny was filmed on Gellies Road near Sunbury. Max's peaceful home with his wife and son is located at 310 Great Ocean Road in Fairhaven, 60 miles southwest of Melbourne.
While the country where the movies take place is never explicitly stated, there are many references to Australian slang, and certain visuals are unmistakable. The first film features shots of the West Gate Bridge and Melbourne's Hall of Justice, and the cars used are specific to the Australian market. Given these references and the prevalence of Australian-made cars, it is safe to assume that the film is set in Australia.
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The movie was directed by Australian George Miller
Mad Max is an Australian action film franchise directed by Australian filmmaker George Miller. Miller made his directorial debut with the first Mad Max film in 1979. The film spawned the Mad Max series with two further sequels: Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985). Miller directed all three films, which were shot in Australia.
The first Mad Max film is set in a dystopian Australia where the government can no longer effectively protect its citizens. Max Rockatansky, a skilled policeman, tries to maintain order on the highways. The film became a top-grossing Australian film and opened the global market to Australian New Wave films.
After a break from the Mad Max franchise, Miller returned to direct Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), the fourth film in the series. The film was shot in Namibia and is set in a post-apocalyptic "anywhere". However, Miller has stated that it takes place in the centre of Australia. The film received widespread critical acclaim and won six Academy Awards.
Miller has continued to direct films in the Mad Max franchise, including the prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) and its upcoming spinoff of the same name. Miller is widely known for creating and directing every film in the Mad Max franchise, with his directing career starting in Australia and transitioning to Hollywood.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the setting of the Mad Max films is never explicitly stated.
The films include several subtle nods to Australia, such as the use of Australian slang, the prevalence of Australian-made cars, and shots of Melbourne and Sydney.
Yes, the upcoming prequel film "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" is confirmed to be set in Australia.
Mad Max: Fury Road was filmed in Namibia.
No, there is no indication that the story has changed its location from Australia.
