This is the first part of the cult Mad Max films, starring a very young-looking Mel Gibson.

The film is also one of the best known and most successful Australian films of all time.

The story recounts how Max became mad in the first place - although there are parts where you can't quite grasp what's going on.

There are bursts of mayhem which provide plenty of entertainment, as well as some impressive stunts.

Gibson is convincing and carries the film, although he's almost unrecognisably young, in this, his career-making role.

However, he almost lost out on the chance as he turned up for the audition with his face bashed up after a bar-room brawl the previous night.

"They told me to come back next week," he said: "When they were casting the villains!"