Leslie Massey
Mad Max is an Australian film franchise directed by George Miller, with all but one of the films shot in Australia. The original Mad Max (1979) was filmed in Melbourne and around Victoria, Australia, with the film's setting being a dystopian near-future Australia. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) was predominantly filmed in Namibia, South Africa, and Australia, with most scenes shot in Namibia. The latest film in the franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), was shot in far west New South Wales, near Broken Hill, Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mad Max film series | Mad Max (1979), Mad Max 2 (1981), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) |
| Film locations in Australia | Melbourne, Victoria, Penrith Lakes in New South Wales, Broken Hill, Silverton, Hay, Fairhaven, Port Melbourne, Sunbury, Pretty Sally Hill, Beach Road, Black Rock, South Lawn Car Park, Exford Road, Greigs Road, Emu Creek, Gasworks Arts Park, Great Divide |
| Non-Australian filming locations | Namibia, South Africa |
| Director | George Miller |
| Producers | Doug Mitchell, Byron Kennedy |
| Screenwriter | James McCausland |
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What You'll Learn
Mad Max: Fury Road was filmed in Australia and Namibia
Mad Max: Fury Road was released in 2015, thirty years after the third film in the Mad Max franchise. While the film is set in a post-apocalyptic Australia, it was predominantly filmed in Namibia. The original plan was to shoot in Australia, near Broken Hill in New South Wales, but unusually heavy rainfall interfered with this plan, turning the barren landscape into a lush carpet of grass and flowers.
Namibia's desert landscape provided a more fitting backdrop for the film's dystopian setting. The Namib Desert, with its towering dunes, cracked desert floors, and breathtaking vistas, played a starring role in the film. Most scenes were shot in and around the coastal city of Swakopmund, located at the southern end of the Skeleton Coast. The Rossing Mountains, also in Namibia, provided a visually stunning backdrop to the film's opening scene, in which Max (Tom Hardy) is chased and captured by a group of scavengers known as the War Boys.
Other Namibian filming locations included Blanky Flats, north of Hentiesbaai, the Skeleton Coast Road, and the Dorob National Park. The film also made use of sets at film studios in South Africa and Sydney, Australia, with digital features based on the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
The decision to film in Namibia had a significant impact on the country's economy and film industry. It brought in an estimated $38 million and created jobs for about 900 local staff. However, there were also concerns about the environmental impact of the production, with some critics arguing that the film crew disrupted sensitive dune ecosystems and animal habitats.
Despite the controversy, Mad Max: Fury Road received widespread acclaim, winning six Oscars and setting a record for the most wins by an Australian film at the Academy Awards that year.
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The original Mad Max was filmed in Melbourne, Australia
The original Mad Max film was released in 1979 and was directed by George Miller in his directorial debut. The film is set in a dystopian near-future Australia facing societal collapse due to oil shortages and civil disorder. The original Mad Max was filmed in Melbourne, Australia, and its surrounding areas in Victoria.
Principal photography for Mad Max took place over six weeks in and around Melbourne, including locations such as Beach Road (State Route 33) at Potter Street, Black Rock, and Seaford. The film also featured locations such as Exford Road and Greigs Road, just south of Melton, where Max waits and spots the gang siphoning petrol from a tanker. Another notable location is Gellies Road, near Sunbury, where Max cuffs Johnny to a burning car, a scene that has been referenced in later films.
The famous shot of the 'Halls of Justice', the dilapidated headquarters of the 'Bronze' or the Main Force Patrol (MFP), was filmed at the South Melbourne Gasworks in Port Melbourne. This site was abandoned at the time of filming but has since been redeveloped as Gasworks Arts Park, housing theatres, art galleries, and studios.
The original Mad Max film was shot on a low budget of A$400,000, but it earned over US$100 million worldwide, making it a highly profitable venture. The success of the film opened up the global market for Australian New Wave films and established Mel Gibson's career, as he played the iconic role of "Mad" Max Rockatansky.
While the original Mad Max was filmed primarily in Melbourne, subsequent films in the series, such as Mad Max 2 and Mad Max: Fury Road, were shot in other parts of Australia, including Broken Hill and New South Wales. Mad Max: Fury Road also had significant filming locations in Namibia and South Africa.
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Mad Max 2 and Furiosa were filmed in New South Wales, Australia
Mad Max 2 and Furiosa: A Mad Max Story were both filmed in New South Wales, Australia. The film crew transformed the landscape around Broken Hill, removing greenery from the unusually verdant desert to create a post-apocalyptic world. This region is known for its history of mining for silver, lead, and zinc, which dates back to the 1800s. The mining activities caused significant tree clearing, degradation, and soil erosion, resulting in a barren and desolate landscape that perfectly fit the film's aesthetic.
Mad Max 2, released in 1981, was the first film in the series to be shot in New South Wales, with the original Mad Max filmed in Victoria, Australia. The decision to film in rundown locations gave the sequel a "dystopian" feel, marking a progression from the first film. The unique filming locations in New South Wales, with their visibly degraded environments, reinforced the narrative of a world suffering from resource extraction and conflict.
The choice to film in Australia was also influenced by tax rebates and government funding packages, making it an attractive option for the production. Additionally, the Australian environment has played a significant role in shaping the Mad Max films. Film scholar Ross Gibson argues that the portrayal of the landscape reflects how white settlers viewed the land upon their arrival—as hostile, barren, and lifeless. This interpretation, however, denies the rich history and Indigenous presence in the continent.
While Mad Max 2 and Furiosa were filmed in Australia, the more recent Mad Max: Fury Road was predominantly filmed in Namibia and South Africa, with some additional shooting in Australia. The opening scene of Fury Road, for example, was filmed at the Rossing Mountains in Namibia, capturing the desolation that pervades the movie. The decision to film in Namibia was influenced by the strengthened Australian dollar, making it more cost-effective to shoot overseas.
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The Mad Max films reflect Australian landscape stereotypes
The Mad Max films are known for their dystopian, post-apocalyptic setting, with a particular focus on the Australian landscape. The original Mad Max film, released in 1979, was filmed in and around Melbourne, Victoria, and the sequels, Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), were also filmed in Australia. The latest instalment, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), returned to Australia after its predecessor, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), was predominantly filmed in Namibia due to unexpected greenery in the Australian locations.
The Australian landscape depicted in the Mad Max films reflects stereotypes of the country as a barren and lifeless wilderness. Film scholar Ross Gibson argues that this portrayal of Australia as a wasteland reflects how white settlers viewed the land when they first arrived, seeing it as hostile and devoid of life and structure. This perception denies the Indigenous history of the continent and the liveliness of the land. The films attribute the desolation of the landscape to resource extraction and conflict, reflecting the impact of human development and industry.
The choice of filming locations contributes to this portrayal of the Australian landscape. For example, Mad Max 2 and Furiosa were filmed in far west New South Wales near Broken Hill, an area known for its mining history and the environmental impact of industries such as tree clearing and soil erosion. The production crew of Mad Max 2 and Furiosa received support from the government in the form of tax rebates or funding packages, making it more attractive to film in these locations despite the need to physically alter the environment during and after filming.
The Mad Max films draw on Australia's car culture and the impact of the 1973 oil crisis, with vehicles playing a central role in the narrative. The films depict a world where people will go to extreme lengths to keep their vehicles moving, reflecting the desperation seen in Australia during the oil crisis. The cars featured in the films, such as the Ford Falcons driven by the Main Force Patrol, are specific to the Australian market and reinforce the Australian setting.
The Australian landscape depicted in the Mad Max films has been shaped by the narrative's apocalyptic context, reflecting a world in the midst of societal collapse due to resource scarcity and conflict. This portrayal of a barren and desolate future Australia has become iconic, with the films presenting a unique blend of kinetic action and stark visuals that have left a lasting impact on popular culture.
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Mad Max's Australian slang and cars indicate it's set in Australia
Mad Max is an Australian film, with the original 1979 film and its sequels featuring heavy influences from Australian culture. The film's setting in a dystopian near-future Australia facing societal collapse due to oil shortages showcases the importance of vehicles and the desperate measures taken to keep them running, reflecting observations of the effects of the 1973 oil crisis on Australian motorists. This is evident in the opening sequence, where the manic Nightrider, a member of a motorbike gang, eludes the Main Force Patrol, one of the last remaining law enforcement agencies.
The Australian influence extends to the use of Australian slang and unique vocabulary in the film. For example, the term "fang it", used by the character Slit in Mad Max: Fury Road, is said to mean "gun it" in Australia. The film's villains are known for their hyper-verbal and ornate speech, which adds to the chaotic and immersive world-building of the Mad Max series.
The cars and vehicles featured in Mad Max are another indication of the film's Australian setting. The Pursuit Special, a specially built V8-powered and supercharged black car, is a notable example. Max Rockatansky, the film's protagonist, is shown this new police car by the MFP after they successfully capture Nightrider. The Pursuit Special becomes synonymous with Max's character and plays a pivotal role in the film's iconic car chase scenes.
The choice of vehicles and their modifications reflect the breakdown of civil order and the desperate need for resources in this dystopian future Australia. The cars are heavily modified with aggressive body kits, enhanced engines, and creative weaponry, reflecting a world where survival depends on mobility and dominance on the road.
The filming locations for Mad Max further reinforce its Australian setting. The first Mad Max film, released in 1979, was primarily filmed in and around Melbourne, capturing the unique landscapes of Outback New South Wales. Broken Hill, a sunbaked corner of Outback New South Wales, has become synonymous with the franchise, with the nearby settlement of Silverton even boasting a Mad Max 2 Museum filled with props from the films. The sense of isolation and the quality of light in these locations lent a spiritual quality to the intense action sequences that have become synonymous with the Mad Max franchise.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mad Max (1979) was filmed in Melbourne and around Victoria, Australia.
Some specific locations in Melbourne include Beach Road (State Route 33) at Potter Street, just north of Half Moon Beach, and Great Ocean Road in Fairhaven, on the B100 coast road 60 miles southwest of Melbourne.
Yes, Mad Max 2 (1981) and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) were filmed in Australia. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) was predominantly filmed in Namibia and South Africa, but some scenes were shot in Australia as well.
Mad Max is an Australian film directed by Australian director George Miller, and it is set in a dystopian future Australia. The film also makes many references to Australian slang and features Australian-made cars.
