Max Max roared onto cinema screens around the world in 1979 and became an instant cult classic as well as establishing Mel Gibson as one of the most watchable stars of the new Australian cinema. "No other Australian films have influenced world cinema and popular culture as widely and lastingly as George Miller's Mad Max movies..." So writes leading film writer Adrian Martin in this sparkling, new appreciation of the movies that rudely shook up Australian cinema. He believes that Mad Max is an exploitation movie, Mad Max 2 is an attempt at classicism, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is unquestionably George Miller's one and only art film. Martin compares the three Mad Max movies and shares his views on which works best and why. In a chapter dedicated to each film, he looks at their critical reception and their themes, examines Miller's shooting techniques and provides a shot-by-shot analysis of integral scenes. Contains stills from all three films, complete notes and film credits.