Mad Max - Australian Audio

[SShaw]

Just picked up the recent re-release of Mad Max. The only significant extra appears to be an Australian audio track.

But Im sure when I saw this on the big screen (it was shown regularly in the weekend all nighters at the Scala) it had an Australian soundtrack. I was under the impression that the only people not to get the original sound track were the US.

Can anybody confirm whether or not the original cinema release (and subsequent video releases) of Madmax in the UK all had the Australian audio track.

Scott

[Michael Brooke]

All the 35mm prints in UK distribution were the dubbed American version - which would include the Scala screenings. All 1980s video releases of the film were also the dubbed version.

However, the TV version of the film, as shown on BBC2 and ITV from the early 1990s onwards, is the original Australian version. This version was subsequently released on letterboxed VHS by Warner Home Video, though I believe the dubbed version continued to be available on pan-and-scan.

[Narshty]

What about the superb R1 special edition that's coming in January (the 4th, I believe) for about $20?

The DVD will feature a new anamorphic widescreen transfer and a remastered 5.1 channel Dolby Digital audio track. The really interesting tidbit about this is, that MGM decided to release the movie with its original audio track that has never been released in the US before, instead of the dubbed version that was previously available. Mono and 5.1 soundtracks will be available for both the original Australian soundtrack and dubbed American soundtrack.

The DVD also contains a commentary track by special effects coordinator Chris Murray, cinematographer David Eggby and production designer Jon Dowding. Further ,the DVD will contain a featurette entitled “Mel Gibson: The Birth of a Star,” which shows Gibson’s humble beginnings until “Mad Max” made him a household name. “Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon” is a making-of documentary that will also be included on the disc, featuring many details of the legendary and dangerous automobile and motorcycle stunts of the movie. A Trivia Game and Trailer will also be included on the release.