MAD MAX (1979) Movie Poster, Original Vintage US One Sheet, DYSTOPIAN
Size US One Sheet Pre '85 (27" x 41")
MAD MAX (1979) Movie Poster, Original Vintage US One Sheet, DYSTOPIAN starring Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel & Hugh Keays-Byrne, directed by George Miller is in Near Mint Condition. Movie Poster...
MAD MAX (1979) Movie Poster, Original Vintage US One Sheet, DYSTOPIAN starring Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel & Hugh Keays-Byrne, directed by George Miller is in Near Mint Condition.
Movie Poster and Condition.
Condition: This original, unrestored US One Sheet Movie Poster presents in Near Mint condition, originally folded but has been rolled for many years, this has prevented some wear on folds and cross-folds and presents as unused and in exceptional Near Mint condition.
Contact us or click on ‘Notify me when available’ if you are interested in acquiring this poster.
An outstanding example of an original 1979 US One Sheet, this authentic theatrical release poster is highly sought after by collectors of Australian cinema and dystopian film memorabilia. Its bold, explosive artwork perfectly reflects the raw energy and apocalyptic tone that launched one of the most influential action franchises in film history. Original US posters for this cult classic remain scarce in such superb condition, making this an exceptional investment-grade piece.
Movie Synopsis
Released in 1979, Mad Max marked the explosive debut of director George Miller and introduced the world to a new kind of action hero. Set in a near-future Australia teetering on the brink of societal collapse, the film presents a gritty vision of a world ravaged by oil shortages, rising crime, and moral decay. Produced on a modest budget, the film became a global sensation and remains a landmark of dystopian cinema.
Mel Gibson stars as Max Rockatansky, a patrol officer with the Main Force Patrol (MFP), tasked with maintaining order on desolate highways terrorised by violent motorcycle gangs. When a sadistic gang led by the menacing Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne) begins a campaign of chaos and revenge, Max is drawn into an escalating conflict that pushes him to his psychological limits. The film charts his transformation from dedicated officer to relentless avenger, laying the groundwork for one of cinema’s most enduring anti-heroes.
George Miller’s background as a medical doctor informed the film’s visceral realism, particularly in its depiction of high-speed crashes and their consequences. The movie’s breathtaking car chases were achieved with practical stunt work and innovative camera techniques, creating an intensity rarely seen at the time. These groundbreaking sequences influenced countless action films that followed and established a new benchmark for vehicular stunt choreography.
The stark Australian landscapes, combined with Brian May’s driving musical score, give Mad Max its unmistakable atmosphere. Though initially a modest domestic release, the film achieved extraordinary international success and held a Guinness World Record for profitability for many years. It launched the Mad Max franchise, leading to sequels including Mad Max 2 (The Road Warrior), Beyond Thunderdome, and decades later, Fury Road.
Today, Mad Max is recognised as a pioneering work of independent filmmaking and a cornerstone of post-apocalyptic action films. Its themes of survival, justice, and societal breakdown remain resonant, while Mel Gibson’s breakthrough performance cemented his rise to international stardom.
This authentic 1979 original US One Sheet movie poster represents the beginning of a cinematic phenomenon. With its striking dystopian imagery and dynamic design, it is a standout display piece for collectors of vintage action movie posters and Australian film history. Rarely found in such remarkable Near Mint condition, this poster offers both nostalgic appeal and significant long-term collectible value.
To find out more about Mad Max (1979) click here to go to IMDB.com.
Special Notes.
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.