Film

In this adrenaline-fueled, shoestring “Ozploitation” classic, a young Mel Gibson delivers a breakthrough performance as the eponymous officer torn between life as a family man and the dangerous job of patrolling highways overrun by leather-clad motorcycle gangs. After taking down a notorious cop killer, Max becomes the target of vengeful bikers led by a psychopath named Toecutter. Opening with one of cinema’s great car chases, and filled with expertly choreographed set pieces, this bleak vision of a post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland was followed by two hugely successful big-budget sequels.