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The Madness of Max

Name: The Madness of Max
Director: Tim Ridge, Gary McFeat
Released: 2015
Duration: 157 min

Representation Score

1.7/10

Minimal

2015

Not Rated

Director

Tim Ridge, Gary McFeat

Runtime

157 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Madness of Max acts as a specialized archival piece dedicated to preserving the legacy of the 1979 film Mad Max. Its structure is designed to document industrial and artistic processes rather than provide social commentary. Because the documentary focuses on the making of a classic action film, it naturally mirrors the demographic compositions and traditional hierarchies prevalent in 1970s cinema. The subject matter is rooted in a specific era of filmmaking history. Ultimately, the work does not attempt to disrupt conventional representation or utilize its platform to advance contemporary multi-layered frameworks. It remains a technical retrospective of a specific cinematic lineage.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Madness of Max have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses on the technical and creative evolution of a 1970s action film. There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities within the production history.

How does The Madness of Max portray gender?

Limited

The narrative centers on the male-dominated technical and directorial history of the original film. While female cast members like Joanne Samuel are interviewed, the focus remains on male creators.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Madness of Max?

Fair

The score reflects the era being studied. While the original film utilized diverse stunt performers, the primary subjects represent a traditional Western cinematic hierarchy.

How does The Madness of Max represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film functions as a historical archive celebrating cinematic craftsmanship. It does not actively critique Western institutions, religion, or promote specific ideological narratives.

Does The Madness of Max include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of subjects or characters with visible or invisible disabilities being portrayed with real power or as central to this historical narrative.

Present on Screen

Provides a direct link to a creative lineage through interviews with George Miller and Mel Gibson.
Serves as a valuable historical archive of the technical and creative evolution of a seminal genre film.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives that critique the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
Maintains a traditional, male-centric focus on leadership and technical production history.
Does not address disability representation or provide real power to subjects with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The Madness of Max is a feature-length documentary on the making of arguably the most influential movie of the past thirty years. With over forty cast-and-crew interviews, hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs and never-before-seen film footage of the shoot, this is without a doubt the last word on Mad Max (1979).Interviews include: George Miller, Byron Kennedy, Mel Gibson, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Roger Ward, Joanne Samuel, David Eggby, Jon Dowding and many more. From the Producers to the Bike Designers to the Traffic Stoppers, this is the story of how Mad Max was made.

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