After the low-budget success of the original Mad Max film in 1979, director George Miller smashed up through several gears - seemingly without synchromesh - to produce this tough, violent, big-budget sequel. A big hit, it further embellished the career of its star, Mel Gibson.
Roaming an Australia laid waste by nuclear war, ex-policeman Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) - now known as "The Road Warrior" - comes across a petrol refinery. Here he encounters a group of survivors who are being terrorised by a band of brutal motorcyclists led by The Humangus. Max agrees to help the community transport the gasoline across the highway and fight for freedom, as they are pursued by The Humangus and his warriors.
This sequel turned out to be Australia's most expensive film to date.
And the dog used in the film, named simply "Dog", was obtained from a local dog pound and trained to perform in the film. Because the sound of the engines upset him (and in one incident, caused him to relieve himself in the car), he was fitted with special earplugs. After filming was complete, he was adopted by one of the camera operators.
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior is a Film programme that first aired in 1981 and has been classified a 18 certificate.
