Mad Max Filming Locations
Cut Scenes

Below is the information I currently have on cut scenes from the original Mad Max. Cut scenes in this context means scenes that I know were filmed, and they may have been available in some early versions of the film, but are not currently available in any release of the film on DVD, Blu-ray, VHS tape, etc.

That doesn't mean they weren't ever available, several people have reported seeing some of these scenes on certain VHS / Beta tape releases, and also on cable. In particular, Ralph Alden specifically remembers having taped a version from cable which included the Jessie shaving Max scene, and the scene of Max arming himself. He taped it from cable in Indiana, in about 1982 or 1983, most probably from Cinemax (although it might have been HBO, Showtime or The Movie Channel). He also recalls that this version had the original Australian dialogue. Unfortunately, he no longer has the tape!

So, did you also happen to tape this version from cable, or obtain another version containing any of these cut scenes from elsewhere? Well, if you did, I'm offering a $$$ REWARD $$$ to anyone who can provide a copy containing any of these cut scenes. The reward is currently at $250 (US or Aussie, your choice), plus I'll cover any expenses, all you need to do is provide a copy to me for verification - it must be verified by me before the reward is paid, and obviously it must therefore be of a watchable quality. So if you have something to send, contact me...

The cut scenes I have described so far are as follows:
Jessie shaves Max
Toecutter meets The Lair
Goose and Max's drag race
Max arms himself
The bikers return to MFP HQ
The engine on the black interceptor stalls!
Max tends to his wounds

The scene information is in rough chronological order, providing of course that I have correctly figured out where they would fit back in to the film.

Note: The Chevy Impala attack is not listed here, because although it was partially cut from some older UK releases, it is now currently available on all releases which I know about. If you see a UK tape boasting that it is "unedited", "uncut" or "director's cut", chances are that all that it includes extra is the full version of this scene, not anything else.

Jessie shaves Max

The day following the Nightrider chase, and Max is back at home with Jessie, and cleaning up his appearance after the last few days out on the road.

344. INT. BEDROOM.  WHOLE SCENE (Tracking)

     Max is sitting on a stool by the window, his face covered
     with lather.  Jessie is sitting astride him.  Max is being
     shaved.  Track to tight two shot.  Favour Max.  He is holding
     a mirror, a brush and a mug full of lather.

345. REVERSE TWO SHOT, FAVOUR JESSIE

     She is an intensely dedicated barber.

346. RESUME MAX

     He is mucking around.  She asks him to behave.  But he finally
     achieves a kiss - more for the mischief than anything else.

                            JESSIE
                          (pulling away)
                  HEY!  CUT THAT OUT....
                                                 (See G.M. for
347. RESUME REVERSE ON JESSIE                    additional dialogue)

     ...wiping lather from the side of her face.  Max comes at her
     again..

348. INT. LIVING ROOM.  TIGHT ON THE SPROG.

     He turns in response to a squeal...

349. POV SPROG

     ...the door to the bedroom.  Another squeal.  Then laughter...
     After a moment the Sprog goes scooting across the room towards
     the open door.

                    *               *               *

350. INT. BEDROOM.

     Tight angle on Max rolling around on the bed astride of Jessie.
     He turns to see...

                            MAX
                  CHRIST!.....

351. MAX'S POV ON THE DOOR

     The Sprog charging at them through the door...

                            MAX V/O
                  ...HOW DID YOU GET OUTA BED?!

352. RESUME MAX AND JESSIE.

     Favour Jessie as she sits up and looks across at Sprog.  Her
     face is covered in shaving cream.

353. RESUME TIGHT ON THE SPROG.

     The Sprog is hauled onto the bed to join in the fun with
     mother and father...

Toecutter meets The Lair

Toecutter and his gang have arrived in town to collect the Nightrider. This is one of a few scenes where they wander the town and meet some of the people there. See the script excerpt below the picture for the full details of this scene.

449. ANOTHER ANGLE.  TIGHT ON THE TOECUTTER.

     LS as he walks over to camera. He has taken some gear out of
     his pockets and is preparing himself a cigarette laced with
     some white powder.  He uses one of those roll-your-own gadgets.
     Pan him to the Lair and the Gum Chewer's Friend, waiting by
     the Horn Machine.  The Lair is very nervous.  It is difficult
     to tell but the girl seems to be enthralled.  The Toecutter
     stops there in front of the car, which we note has an elaborate
     "figurehead" figurine mounted on the bonnet.  (See G.M. for
     details)  Finally he speaks.

                            TOECUTTER
                  YOURS?

                            THE LAIR
                  YEAH...AND MY MATE'S...

                            TOECUTTER
                          (a soft, almost
                           serene voice)
                  HEAVY STREET METAL.  SOME FINE,
                  MEAN...ARROGANT LINES.  YOU MUST
                  BE PROUD.

                            THE LAIR
                          (more confident now)
                  NICE.........EH!?
                          (beginning to relax)
                  WE SPENT TWO YEARS ON HER..
                  CANNABILISED AN OLD VINCENT..
                  DRAGSTER..

     The Toecutter isn't listening.  He continues to roll his
     cigarette, looking through the Lair.  Weird.  It's as though
     the conversation had never happened...

     The Lair is nervous again.

Goose and Max's drag race

In this scene, Goose and Max decide to drag race each other for a bit of fun. However, to make it interesting, Max rides the bike and Goose drives the car. The still photo below has been published a few times for publicity purposes, the below colour version coming from the Japanese program.

Max and Goose about to take off.

The following script excerpt is similar to the scene described above, although I'm not really completely happy that this script scene and the description and picture above are a perfect match.

706. EXT. SUPER HIGHWAY.  DAY.

     Tracking ahead of a bike rider and a pursuit unit coming from
     extreme long shot  -  flat chat.  It's Max in his Interceptor
     and the Goose back on his scoot.  It's a race.  Very soon they
     have overtaken the camera.

Max arms himself

I have received several emails on this one now, making statements like like this one: "I could have sworn that I recall a scene in a Mad Max video I rented several years ago, where it shows him sawing off that shotgun before he goes and swipes the interceptor. None of the Mad Max videos I've rented since then has that scene, but I'm sure I actually saw it."

It seems almost certain now that this scene exists in some versions of the film released on video and cable. Now we just have to find someone who still has it! Note that Ralph Alden (mentioned above) also recalled that in this scene he actually sawed off a pump action shotgun, which obviously creates a continuity error with the double barrel sawn off that appears later - perhaps this is why the scene was ultimately cut.

1150. INT. A LONG CORRIDOR.  POLICE ARMOURY.  (Tracking)

      Low angle tracking ahead on Max's boots as he walks briskly
      along the corridor.  (Exaggerate reverberating footfall)
      His step seems to be locked into a fierce, almost martial rhythm,
      Camera cranes up the full length of his uniform to hold on Max's
      face.  He is clean shaven.  His hair is cropped short.  He
      overtakes the camera.

1151. TIGHT ANGLE ON METAL CABINET

      ...as the door flips open to reveal several service weapons.
      Max selects a magnum hand gun.

1152. TIGHT ANGLE ON SHELF.

      ...Max's gloved hand removes a number of ammunition boxes.
      Bullets and shotgun cartridges.

1153. TIGHT ON MAX'S HAND

      ...as he selects a pump action short barrelled shotgun from
      its slot.  Hold on the long row of such weapons as we hear
      Max move out of the room and slam the big metal door shut.

The bikers return to MFP HQ

Continuing on their rampage of destruction, the Toecutter's gang apparently returns to Main Force Patrol Headquarters on the attack, injuring or killing several officers. This has been reported to me as a scene that was shown in some early prints of Mad Max within the US, and has not been seen since - any further information would be greatly appreciated (contact me). A script excerpt matching this scene was unable to be located.

The engine in the black interceptor stalls!

It's his first time out in the interceptor, and Max is in hot pursuit of those bikers. Just as the tension mounts, and he's making some ground, the engine in the interceptor cuts out!

This scene has been reported to me by a few people now, and it seems that it was originally included in some prints that circulated within the US, but has not been seen since. Does anyone have any further information to add to this (contact me)? Does this scene exist anywhere on a home video release? Again, a script excerpt matching this scene was unable to be located.

Max tends to his wounds

Max has been shot in the knee by Bubba, and after killing him, he has also pursued Toecutter to his death. The next target is Johnny the Boy, but after getting some rest overnight, Max notes that his wound is bleeding badly, is attracting flies, and basically needs some urgent attention! So Max stops down by the creek bed to tend to his wound and patch himself up.

Max about to leave the creekbed, and put a finish to the Johnny The Boy...

Those with a sharp eye will also recognise this scene from the opening montage of Mad Max 2. Although he cut it from the final Mad Max, clearly George Miller liked this scene enough to hang on to it, and eventually make use of. I've not heard of the full scene having ever been edited into any versions of the original Mad Max. Below is a script excerpt for the original scene.

1369. TIGHT ON MAX'S SLEEPING FACE.  DAYLIGHT.

      Pull back to frame the car window.  The sound of a passing car.
      He wakes.  The sun warms his face.  The sounds of birds and bush
      insects.  It is mid-morning.

1370. POV. MAX.

      A quiet spot by a bridge.  Running water.  Sparkle effect.

1371. RESUME MAX.

      The sound of flies.  It's a good few moments before he remembers
      the real world.  He looks down at his arm and leg.

1372. POV. MAX TIGHT ON HIS ARM.

      The serous fluid oozing from his wounds has caked hard.  The
      arm is covered with flies.

DISSOLVE.

1373. EXT. LONG ON WHOLE SCENE.  THE CREEK.

      The Black Car is parked by a creek.  Willow trees, running
      water.  Max is standing in the water washing himself.

DISSOLVE.

1374. MEDIUM ON MAX.  (Tracking)

      He is sitting on a rock.  Facing away from us.  He is washed.
      He has managed to strap his broken arm to his chest and
      dressed his punctured knee.  Track to him slowly and pan up
      to accept his face.  All things considered he seems OK.  He
      looks across to the Black Car.

DISSOLVE.