Why Mel Gibson’s Beloved 1979 Apocalyptic Movie Poorly Showcases Biker Gang & Violence Explained By Expert

The original Mad Max movie provides a poor depiction of biker gangs and violence, according to a former Hells Angel member. Released in 1979, the first film in George Miller’s Mad Max franchise introduced Mel Gibson as the titular Mad Max Rockatansky, a police officer turned vigilante who sets out to stop a violent motorcycle gang. Other than Gibson in the lead role, the cast also includes Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne (who later played Immortan Joe in Fury Road), Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, and Roger Ward.

In a video from Insider, a former Hells Angels chapter president, Pat Matter, broke down the realism of biker gang scenes in movies and television, including Mad Max. Watch the portion of the video below, starting at the 16:15 minute mark:

Matter broke down the scene in Mad Max when the motorbike gang runs a riot in town, which is something he’s never personally seen. As a couple attempts to escape, the gang pursues them on bikes and attacks them, which Matter says doesn’t happen without a reason for it. Overall, he rated the scene a 2/10 for realism. Read his full comments below:

The reality of the club being involved in a riot in town, I haven’t seen it. In some cases, it has happened. For instance, in 1948 in Hollister, there was an event that turned into a riot, with a few motorcycle clubs being there. In a situation like this, where just local citizens are being attacked, if there’s no reason for it, it don’t happen. I’d only give it a very low score. Two.

Mad Max Is Much More Realistic Than Matter Lets On

It’s Set In A Dystopian Future

While Matter also reviewed scenes from Sons of Anarchy, The Bikeriders, and Hells Angels on Wheels, Mad Max is unique since it’s set in a dystopian future, which Matter didn’t even seem to consider. The 1979 film is set in a future dystopian version of Australia in which civil order is collapsing, driven mainly by a severe oil shortage, plunging parts of the world into war, famine, and financial chaos. In this context, it’s entirely realistic that a motorbike gang would behave in a way as depicted in Mad Max.

While Matter reviewed Mad Max based on what he’s personally seen as a former Hells Angels member, he would almost certainly rate it differently if he considered its setting in a dystopian future. Judging the film in this context, Mad Max is a highly acclaimed movie, especially regarding its depiction of a violent, post-apocalyptic world, in addition to its improbable car stunts and crashes. It has a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and a 70% audience score.

Like most movies, Mad Max‘s depiction of the motorbike gang is highly stylized and exaggerated for cinematic effect, as they are depicted with almost cartoonish sadism. However, the very act of them wreaking havoc on the town, destroying property, stealing fuel, and terrorizing the residents is entirely realistic in a post-apocalyptic world in which society has broken down, and law and order have largely disappeared. While Mad Max may not provide a perfect prediction of what a motorcycle gang would look like in a dystopian future, it certainly deserves better than what Matter rated it.

Source: Insider

Mad Max

Mad Max is a 1979 sci-fi action film from director and writer George Miller. Mel Gibson stars as Max a police officer in the future who goes after a gang of vicious motorcycle thugs. The film led to a long-running franchise including The Road Warrior, Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road, and Furiosa.

Director

George Miller

Studio(s)

Kennedy Miller Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Roadshow Film Distributors

Writers

George Miller
, James McCausland
, Byron Kennedy

Cast

Mel Gibson
, Joanne Samuel
, Hugh Keays-Byrne
, Steve Bisley
, Roger Ward
, Tim Burns

Runtime

82 Minutes

Budget

$233–266 Million

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