Mad Max Minute presents: Beyond Thunderdome (1985): Recent Episodes
Rick & Julia Ingham
Join Rick and Julia as they comb through the post-apocalyptic wasteland in George Miller's Mad Max Series of movies.
For the hens at the Tweedy Chicken Farm it’s lay eggs or face the chopping block, but Ginger is determined to escape and take every last chicken out with her. Despite the fences, barbed wire, and constant surveillance she devises one scheme after another until help comes from the most unlikely of places as an American rooster named Rocky literally falls into her lap. Reinvigorated by the idea of flying the coop, Ginger, Rocky, and the other chickens race against time to reach greener pastures before Mrs. Tweedy has the chance to make them all into pies.
In 1969 The Who released a rock opera about a boy who despite his psychosomatic deafness, blindness, and inability to speak rises to worldwide renown, somehow finds a cure for his ailments and becomes a religious sensation. In 1975, Ken Russell and Robert Stigwood gathered together some of the biggest names in rock music, including Tina Turner, and brought that rock opera to the big screen. With The Who front man Roger Daltrey as the titular character, the film adaptation brings the album to life in a way that can never truly be duplicated.
Helen Buday takes center stage in this romantic drama set in the 1930s. Theresa is a bold young woman, determined to follow her heart and win the affection of an arrogant young teacher played by Hugo Weaving. Her determination will lead her to leave her home in australia and undertake the voyage, halfway around the world, to London. Along the way she will meet a charming banker, played by Sam Neill, whose own world view and interesting cadre of friends will change her life forever. From Sun-baked streets to smoke filled common houses, nothing will stop Theresa from living life on her terms and for love alone.
We return to the proper post-apocalypse with the movie that is credited as the inspiration for The Road Warrior and Fallout series of video games. It is the year 2024, and worldwide nuclear war has buried what civilization below a layer of sand and ash. Survivors wander these wastes, scavenging for supplies and doing their best to fend off horrific creatures known as screamers, as well as other survivors. In the midst of all this is a young man named Vic and his telepathic dog, Blood. They are about to find out that there are still many surprises buried deep below ground.
Guns, gasoline, and leather, three of the ingredients that make up the Mad Max Series are combined here to bring to life the vision of Director Enzo G. Castellari of a New York borough abandoned by polite society and left to the gangs. Sold as a heavy metal journey into an urban hell where everything was done wrong, The Bronx Warriors is the story of a young woman fleeing a life she does not want and the hard-riding gang leader willing to risk everything to protect her. It’s The Warriors meets Escape from New York with a bit of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly thrown in for good measure.
What better way to wrap up the year than with Henri Safran’s classic holiday tale of farm foreclosure, horse thieves, and the kids determined to set things right. When traveling Shysters, played by John Ewart and John “The People Eater” Howard, steal the prize racing horse from a small family farm, it’s up to Mark Spain, James Wingrove, and Nicole Kidman to work alongside the family’s horse trainer to track down the thieves and save the farm. It’s a solid 90 minutes of horse-riding, hiking through mountainous terrain, and all sorts of family-friendly hijinks.
This is it, we’re finally beyond Thunderdome. As such, we decided to have a little fun and play with some other podcast formats as part of this episode. We’ll share fun bits of Trivia that we may have missed in earlier episodes, Rick shares what he believes it would sound like if Aaron Menke, from the Lore podcast, were a waiting one, and we bring back, friend of the show, Cassadilla for a look at some of the crazy creatures one might find in a post-apocalypse in a send-up to Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s Drunk Safari podcast.
After spending 105 minutes picking apart Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome one minute at a time it’s hard to determine if we’re missing the forest for the trees. So, for the penultimate episode of season 3, we’ve decided to take some time and re-watch the movie. We’ll recap the film scene by scene and try to determine if the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Along the way we’ll also talk about what we would change and our most, and least, favorite things.
We’re rounding out the week with a focus on the most controversial part of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome: The Waiting Ones. This episode kicks things off with a quick aside about the movie’s theme song, which leads us right into a review of just how effective this element of the story was implemented. Along the way, we ask if Tomorrow-morrow land was worth the effort to get there and discuss any improvements that could have been made to this part of the story.
Moving on from our main character, this episode is focused on Aunty, Master-Blaster, and the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is Bartertown. We take a moment to consider who is the real antagonist of this story between Aunty and Master. This leads into a discussion of whether either of those two learned anything from their run-in with Mad Max. Finally the conversation concludes with a bit of a look at how Aunty ran Bartertown, just for kicks.
It’s the beginning of end credits week as we highlight the main character of this story, Max Rockatansky. This discussion begins with an examination of Max’s personal arc over the course of the movie, specifically comparing who he is at the beginning of the story versus who he becomes by the end. The conversation also includes an examination of the first three Mad Max films as a single narrative, chronicling a long trip through Campbell’s Hero's Journey.
Savannah sits before the assembled crowd, holding a newborn child in her arms, as she tells them of the journey that brought them to this point in their history. As the scene shifts to a shot of the city, great signal fires can be seen in the buildings, as a way to beckon wanderers in from the wasteland, but as is also seen, there is one wanderer in particular who still walks the wastes. We can only assume their identity as the movie fades to black. Special Guests: Crystal Beth & John Robert Wilson from Keep Calm and Game On
Savannah and the other lean out the side of the plane, taking in everything around them, amazed by the sheer scale of what still remains after nearly two decades of calamity. Savannah begins speaking in voice-over and the scene fades to some time later, as a group of the tribe who left gathers in a grand hall to listen to Savannah relay The Tell for that evening. The shot tracks along a group of people, children and adults, all sitting dutifully. Special Guests: Crystal Beth & John Robert Wilson from Keep Calm and Game On
Jedediah diligently flies his Airturk with Mr. Skyfish hovering over his shoulder. The plane banks hard to the right and flies into a massive sandstorm. The thick clouds give way to a canyon, spanned by the remains of a massive bridge. At the canyon’s edge sits a mighty structure with great sweeping lines. Savannah and the others have reached their tomorrow-morrow land, the bombed out remains of Sydney. The buildings stand hollow and grey against the blowing sand. Special Guests: Crystal Beth & John Robert Wilson from Keep Calm and Game On
Aunty lets out a laugh and leaves Max to the desert, stopping only to look back at him and say goodbye before mounting her vehicle and driving away into the wasteland. Max rises to his feet and watches her go. He is left surrounded by wrecked vehicles and smoke as the scene wipes to the Airtruk, now far away from where they were. It flies along reliably, despite the massive sandstorm looming in the distance. The minute ends in the cockpit with Jedediah. Special Guest: Brad Mull from The Lost World Minute
Despite having just jumped from a speeding vehicle, Max is able to lift himself enough to the see the plane fly overhead, and see one last glimpse of the people inside. Nearby, a charred and broken arm reaches from inside a wreckage towards a mask mounted to an iron bar, raising a defiant gesture before falling limp. As Max moves to stand, he is stopped by Aunty’s guards. She approaches him and smirks, saying “well, ain’t we a pair…”. Special Guest: Brad Mull from The Lost World Minute
Max guns the engine and speeds ahead of the Airtruk, moving into position between it, and Aunty’s forces. She is unfazed by this development and as if sensing a challenge, Ironbar speeds ahead of the line, straight towards Max. But Max isn’t playing chicken today, and climbs out of the driver’s seat, leaping from the vehicle at the last moment, and sending his camel truck headlong into Ironbar. The plane leaves the ground and takes flight over the remaining vehicles. Special Guest: Brad Mull from The Lost World Minute
Noticing that Jedediah has cut the engine, Max climbs up the wing to ask him what’s going on. Jedediah is certain that there’s not enough runway between them and the might of Bartertown, but Max assures him that there will be. As Jedediah starts up the plane once more, Max reclaims his camel truck and the two begin rolling back the way they came. As they accelerate, Max maneuvers his vehicle alongside the plane and shares one last look with the people inside. Special Guest: Jim O’Kane from Apollo 13 Minute
As junk scatters across the runway, Aunty and her fleet thunder past Jedediah’s grotto, hot on the heels of the plane. Aunty is out in front, leading the charge, but another vehicle, driven by Ironbar, quickly comes from behind to lead the attack. However, the plane has come to the edge of a cliff, and without the necessary speed needed for flight, Jedediah is forced to stop and turn the plane around., which is fortunate for Scrooloose, who rejoins the party. Special Guest: Jim O’Kane from The Rocketeer Minute
With the plane spinning up outside, Max insists that Jedediah’s plane is the one thing that may save his life that day. He understands well enough what Max is getting at, and soon He and the others run out of the dugout and board the plane as Jedediah Jr. begins to taxi away. They make it to the runway, but Jedediah tells Max that they’re overloaded, they won’t get off the ground. Undeterred, Max releases the cargo nets and drops Jedediah’s junk on the runway. Special Guest: Jim O’Kane from Airport Minute
Jedediah Jr. heads underground to escape his pursuers, ducking into a series of underground tunnels, but Max and the others are close behind. The boy finds his father lounging on a bed, reading a magazine, and tries to get him to leave in their plane, but he is ignored and as Jedediah Jr. runs off, Jedediah is soon joined by some visitors to his grotto. One of the visitors in particular seems to know Jedediah quite well, and begins to insist that today is his lucky day. Special Guests: Karen & Liz
Finally free of pursuers, Max has made his way to the front of the train and found Pig Killer impaled by Ironbar’s harpoon. Max makes quick work of the harpoon, pulling it from Pig Killer’s leg, but Savannah catches sight of an obstruction in the distance that forces him to slam on the brakes. As the train comes to a halt, Max and the others find themselves being held up by Jedediah Jr., but Aunty’s vehicles are close behind, sending everyone on the run once more. Special Guests: Karen & Liz
It’s a desperate tug-of-war between Ironbar and the Children as both hold tight to Master. Max capitalizes on the opportunity and delivers a mighty kick to Ironbar’s face, sending him careening on a pipe out into open air. Dangling and helpless to rescue himself, Ironbar calls for backup, but the sudden appearance of a bridge leaves him up in the air. Ironbar fights to stay on the pipe, hurdling obstacles as they come, but ultimately Mr. Skyfish puts an end to him. Special Guests: Karen & Liz
With the cabin no longer a safe place, Savannah begins helping the smaller children move onto the Generator Train’s engine, but Aunty is clever and shouts for Blackfinger to disconnect the caboose from the engine. Savannah hears the order and quickly grabs Master, causing Aunty to rescind her order. As Blackfinger holds the train together, Aunty pulls Master away from Savannah, a victory that is short lived as Max snatches Master and they jump to safety. Special Guests: Cassandra Fredrickson & Norman Mitchell from Lord of the Rings Minute
Scorched, soot-covered, and screaming, Ironbar clings to the front of the generator train having inexplicably survived a horrific explosion. Nearby, Max finds himself the target of a Bartertown vehicle intent on doing to him what He just did to Ironbar, but Max is a skilled driver and avoids the train. Up in the cabin, Master and the children are attacked by more guards, led personally by Aunty, but luckily for them, Savannah is nearby and ushers them outside. Special Guests: Cassandra Fredrickson & Norman Mitchell from Lord of the Rings Minute
Abandoning his hand-powered rail car, Ironbar leaps onto a vehicle equipped with a harpoon gun and quickly puts it to good use against Pig killer. Before He can get off another shot, Max is there to use his cowhide car to push Ironbar’s buggy in front of the generator train. The small buggy is no match for the speed of the train and though Ironbar tries to leap to safety, he quickly finds himself engulfed in a massive fireball as the buggy is completely demolished. Special Guests: Cassandra Fredrickson & Norman Mitchell from Lord of the Rings Minute
As Max settles in behind the wheel of the cowhide car, Scrooloose makes his way to the front of Max’s old camel-drawn wagon and disables the driver with a mighty swing of his frying pan. The wagon veers in front of the generator train and sideswipes another vehicle which rouses the concussed guard. A second swing of the frying pan puts an end to him, and soon Scrooloose finds himself in, what could be considered, control of the vehicle as it speeds along.
While Anna and Skyfish learn conversational French, Eddie is at the back window using Master’s pair of binoculars to survey the landscape. Things seem quiet until, without warning the Bartertown guards are upon them, smashing windows and grabbing for Master. Max is quick to engage the guards but is quickly pulled from the train only to find himself being dragged behind a car covered in cowhides. Not to be outdone, Scrooloose also leaps from the train.
Many interesting trinkets can be found in Master’s cabin on the Generator Train, but one above all stands out to Anna Goanna and Mr. Skyfish; the old turntable. Anna is quick to call attention to it and Mr. Skyfish takes Gekko’s sonic and places it on the machine. After inspecting the relic and finding it just as quiet as before, Max steps in and reveals the true nature of the vinyl disc that they’ve carried with them ever since the day the Skyraft was attacked by Turbulents.
Clear of Bartertown, Max, Master, Pig killer and the kids seem to be in the clear. With Underworld fading further and further into the distance Max takes a moment to ask Pig killer what their next move is going to be, a question for which there is no answer. Meanwhile, in the cabin at the back of the train, Master is attempting to pack several keepsakes into a bag. This task is thwarted by the children, who are intent on exploring this cabinet of curiosities. Special Guests: Travis Bow & Eric Nash from Watchmen Minute
The terrified wastelanders press towards the exits, but Bartertown’s guards keep them in place as Aunty steps out onto a platform to address the people massing below. She raises her hands to quiet them, and though explosions continue to erupt around her, Aunty is calm and determined, instructing those gathered to chase after Master and those that took Him from them. The crowd cheers and moments later Aunty leads a rolling armada out into the wasteland. Special Guests: Travis Bow & Eric Nash from Watchmen Minute
As the Generator Train breaks free of the pipes and wires that hold it in place, Bartertown has descended into complete disarray. The guards struggle to maintain order but the near constant explosions erupting up from Underworld are making the job quite troublesome. The Collector and Dr. Dealgood quickly find themselves shoved aside as the traders that had come to Bartertown flee with their goods. Meanwhile, in a large vat of pig feces, a figure emerges. Special Guests: Travis Bow & Eric Nash from Watchmen Minute
With Ironbar dealt with, Max, Savannah, and Scrooloose scramble to board the generator train as Pig killer guns the engine. The old generator train roars as it strains against the cables and ducts that hold it in place, but slowly, the connections begin to give way. Topside, Aunty descends from her penthouse as flames erupt from the ground. Sparks leap and smoke billows from ruptured pipes as the generator train laboriously begins to roll forward along its tracks. Special Guests: Pete the Retailer & Comic Book Alex from Star Wars Minute
Max and Savannah bar the door holding back Aunty’s guards, but their victory is short-lived as the guards begin cutting their way through with a chainsaw. Max and Savannah return to the main chamber where Pig killer and Master are prepared to depart, enthusiastically blowing the train’s horn, but they’re not in the clear just yet. All of the commotions have caught Aunty’s attention through her periscope and it seems that the feed chute didn’t completely disable Ironbar. Special Guests: Pete the Retailer & Comic Book Alex from Star Wars Minute
Max and Pig killer’s reunion is cut short by the dulcet tones of Blackfinger singing a jaunty tune at the beginning of his day, but He quickly discovers that things are not as they should be in Underworld and high tails it out of there, with Max following close behind. Max is able to keep pace with the mechanic, following him through a set of heavy doors, but after rounding a corner He finds that Blackfinger is no longer alone, and the roles have reversed. Special Guests: Pete the Retailer & Comic Book Alex from Star Wars Minute
Ironbar fails to catch Max and the kids in the air vent, but as he returns to the ground He finds that someone has knocked out one of his guards, and spinning around He sees Pig killer standing with Master and Eddie on the generator truck. Pig killer is able to delay Ironbar just long enough for Master to pull a lever and drop a feed chute on Ironbar, knocking him out and bringing Max and the kids sliding down into Underworld from their hiding spot above. Special Guests: Christy Porter & Gerry Porter from Indiana Jones Minute
Scrooloose is trapped up in the pipes and surrounded by guards, but it’s Mr. Skyfish to the rescue as he swings into action and gets them out of there. and back to the vent where Max and the others are hiding. Now fully aware that there are intruders in Underworld, Ironbar grabs a weapon and tries to attack, but he is foiled by the bumbling antics of his cohorts. Undeterred, Ironbar leads his guards to the pipe, but there’s someone else they need to worry about. Special Guests: Christy Porter & Gerry Porter from Indiana Jones Minute
Having wandered away from the others, Eddie finds Pig killer tending to the newborn piglets and exhibiting a gentleness that defies his given title. Upon noticing this new face in his prison, Pig killer cannot help but chuckle. Back on the main platform, Scrooloose sits obscured in the pipes that extend above the central platform watching the amusing contest between ruffians below, but his enthusiasm gets the better of him and he is spotted by Ironbar. Special Guests: Christy Porter & Gerry Porter from Indiana Jones Minute
Max closes the opening to the air vent and quickly discovers that the children have gone ahead without him. Crawling along with Savannah and Anna, they eventually catch up to Tubba and Cusha who have found an opening that allows them to peer through to Underworld. Through the smoke and the filth, Max is able to spy Master, chained and caged in amongst the pigs. Having found the man he was looking for, Max realizes there are a few kids missing. Special Guests: Jonathan Carlisle & Tabitha Carlisle from UHF 62nd & Princess Bride Minute
Scrooloose returns to the group and wakes them up, insistent that they follow him to see what he has found. At the top of a nearby dune, the children spot distant lights and they wonder if they have found Tomorrowland, but Max knows that they have stumbled upon Bartertown. Knowing that he was exiled from the town, Max uses an air vent to sneak the children into Bartertown in hopes of finding supplies for the return trip across the nothing. Special Guests: Jonathan Carlisle & Tabitha Carlisle from UHF 62nd
Finn McCoo has disappeared beneath the desert sand and Savannah is close behind as Scrooloose is starting to lose his grip. Luckily for them, Max is there to grab them before they’re both pulled under, but he is too late to save young Finn. Savannah is devastated by the loss of her young son, but it's not dwelled on and the scene fades to the group sleeping on the side of a dune, but Scrooloose is too restless to sleep. Special Guests: Jonathan Carlisle & Tabitha Carlisle from Princess Bride Minute
Having walked very far, Anna Goanna, Tubba Tintye, Eddie, and Max have found something in the distance. It’s Mr. Skyfish’s kite, flying high on the wind, but Savannah and the others are in grave danger. Finn McCoo has fallen into quicksand and is being pulled under, with only a length of fabric connecting him to the human chain that Savannah and the others have formed to pull him out. Despite their struggle, they are losing, and Max must hurry to help them. Special Guests: Gary Roby & Victoria Cope from Harry Potter Minute
Max, Anna Goanna, and Tubba Tintye are deep in the nothing, on the trail of Savannah and the other leavers. The three hear a call on the wind, but instead of discovering someone ahead of them, they instead find that Eddie, one of the smallest waiting ones, is rushing to join them. Max is terse in his assertion that the little one will have to carry their own weight, but it’s soon shown that Max is willing to carry Eddie on his shoulders as they trek all day and into the night. Special Guests: Gary Roby & Victoria Cope from Harry Potter Minute
Having heard Anna Goanna’s request for a hunter, the tribe look to Tubba Tintye, who in turn looks to see that he has been selected to accompany Max and Anna into the nothing. The trio fills their arms with bottles, gourds, and leather flasks before heading out into the dunes. Slake and the other Waiting Ones stand silent as they watch the rescue party disappear into the desert, none of them sure if they will ever see their friends again. Special Guests: Gary Roby & Victoria Cope from Harry Potter Minute
With a dusty ocean of sand in front of him and a tribe of expectant children behind him, Max must make a decision on what to do next. Anna pleads with him to save Savannah and the others, and despite his better judgement, Max finally agrees with a simple request for as much water as possible. The tribe drops all of their water vessels at Max’s feet and as he begins to collect his supply, Anna states that she is coming along and they should bring a hunter.
As Max sits by the fire with Savannah and her crew tied up nearby, he has no idea that Scrooloose is sneaking around behind him. He is shaken awake the next morning by Anna Goanna who informs Max that Savannah and her cohorts were freed during the night and the lot of them have disappeared into The Nothing. Anna drags Max out to the edge of the desert where they find Slake and the other Waiting Ones looking out at the endless expanse of sand.
Max has Savannah held by the shoulder, but she refuses to yield. Max raises his fist threateningly, but she does not flinch. Finally, Max punches her across the face, knocking her out. Max takes a breath and leans down to pick up Savannah. With her slung over his shoulder, Max tells Slake to get the others. The group of leavers taken by the other Waiting Ones and tied to support posts in a hut so Max can keep watch over them, but someone has other plans.
Armed with the rifle that was Slake’s walking stick, Max explains to The Waiting Ones that while he’s not Captain Walker, he is still someone that they should respect, and their best chance of staying alive and safe, is to stay in The Crack in the Earth. Savannah stares at Max for a moment then turns again to leave. Max fires another warning shot which is met with spears thrown at his feet. Frustrated, Max chases after Savannah, catching her before she can leave. Special Guest: Cassadilla from Wicked Wasteland
Having heard Max’s warning about the dangers, Savannah turns her back on The Waiting Ones and starts to lead her group out. Slake calls after them, pleading for them to abandon this idea, but Savannah has had enough of Max’s words and will not stay. Seeing that the time for diplomacy has ended, Max takes Slake’s spear, actually a rifle, and with some nearby ammunition, fires a warning shot in Savannah’s direction. With their undivided attention, he speaks. Special Guest: Cassadilla from Wicked Wasteland
Slake and Savannah are facing off in the center of the camp. Savannah and her supporters are adamant about being allowed to leave, but Slake is unwilling to let them depart, considering their plan foolish and essentially a suicide mission. Despite this assessment, Savannah and her followers are determined to make the journey, which prompts Max to step in and let them know that there’s more than sand out there in the wasteland, they also need to worry about Bartertown. Special Guest: Cassadilla from Wicked Wasteland
Back in The Crack in the Earth, Max sits with Copilot away from the children of the tribe. He looks around and notices small faces glaring at him, but there is nothing he can do for them. The silence is broken by the sound of the camp gong as Savannah announces to the others that she is pulling on a leaving and looking for volunteers to join her. Slake opposes this idea and emerges from a hut to say as much, but his opinion does not sway those leaving.
The children stand eager to fly away on the burned out wreckage of their skyraft, insistent that the wind is in their favor and it is the opportune time to take to the sky. They shout out to Max, but he stands still, unwilling to entertain the idea that any of them could ever use what is left of the plane to leave the wasteland. He turns and walks away, leaving Savannah and the others to wonder what happens now that their supposed savior will not help them.
The Waiting Ones pour over the top of a dune, running towards the burned out remains of the 747 that brought Captain Walker and his followers to the wasteland so many years ago. Max follows the crowd at a distance but stops short. The children rush ahead and climb atop the broken fuselage, each finding their place with Scrooloose taking his seat at the top of the tail fin. The children call out to Max letting him know that they are ready to depart.
As whipping winds pour into The Crack in the Earth, the children begin to get excited. Mr. Skyfish, in particular, steps forward with eagerness as he observes his kite rock and eventually rises with the rushing air from its perch. The boy shouts to the others that it’s the moment they’ve waited for and leads an exodus from the camp. Max is slow to follow, but a gesture from Scrooloose and the insistence of Eddie, one of the smallest children, hurry him forward. Special Guests: Sean German & Dave Pallas from Groundhog Minute
The chorus of shouting children swells as Max struggles to get a word in edgewise. Finally, Slake calls for the others to be quiet and Max has a chance to explain that the images in the picture slides are no more, wiped away by calamity and that they are better off staying in The Crack in the Earth. Max punctuates this by reiterating that he isn’t Captain Walker and tossing away their makeshift pilot’s cap just as a mighty wind whips into the crevasse, carrying the cap high into the air. Special Guests: Sean German & Dave Pallas from Groundhog Minute
Savannah caps off The Tell by declaring that Captain Walker has indeed returned and revealing the newest addition to the picture wall, a depiction of Max and his simian companion that The Waiting Ones have dubbed Copilot. Unfortunately for them, Max isn’t keen on the title and even though they were mindful and kept an established timeline of their history, he still refuses their adoration. This upsets the children who begin shouting at him once again. Special Guests: Sean German & Dave Pallas from Groundhog Minute
As Max holds a stereoscope toy to his face, Slake proceeds to insert a series of slides depicting images of Sydney landmarks including the city skyline, the harbor bridge, and the opera house. Following the slideshow, Savannah continues with The Tell describing how Captain Walker gathered up a party and departed into the desert. But before they left, Walker told the others to wait, because one of them would return once they had found civilization. Special Guest: Shem Herman from Mad Max Bible
Savannah continues telling the story of Captain Walker and his Survivors. Following the crash of their aircraft, the survivors grouped together found The Crack in the Earth and decided that they could settle on the spot and make a new life for themselves. But as the years passed, some among them yearned for civilization and obsessed over a set of photographic slides that were kept from their departure from the great city. Slake brings those slides to Max. Special Guest: Shem Herman from Mad Max Bible
Savannah begins telling the shared history of The Waiting Ones by looking back to the fateful day when the world came to an end, the Pox-eclipse. Following the bombs, the air was filled with fallout and nuclear winter which claimed the lives of many, but Captain Walker survived and gathered up a group of other survivors. They gathered what they could from the cities and fled in an aircraft, but before they were able to reach their destination, something happened. Special Guest: Shem Herman from Mad Max Bible
Max’s confusion over being told that the tribe has been waiting for him leads Mr. Skyfish to suggest that Max is testing them somehow, and Slake takes that as a challenge that they have not kept their history. Still unsure of what’s going on, Max suggests that they may have been slack in their reckoning, which leads Slake to call the entire tribe together for the ritual presentation of their history. Though Slake normally does The Tell, he gives the honor to Savannah.
Max finds himself stuck between a rock and a large group of kids as the hunters of the tribe return from their latest excursion. The largest among them, a young man named Slake, swings on a line down to meet Max, silencing the children in the tribe and allowing Max to finally get some answers. Slake reveals that the tribe calls themselves The Waiting Ones, and they have been patiently waiting for his arrival. The notion that he is awaited gives Max pause.
Having woken suddenly and tried to escape his situation, Max suddenly finds himself hanging by a rope tied to his leg as he swings above a pool of water. Before Max can orient Himself, Mr. Skyfish cuts Him loose and He falls into the pool below. Max rises from the water gasping for air and is met with an entire tribe of children parroting his every sound. Max stumbles around the camp trying to get answers but is met only with his own words shouted back at him.
The painted child, a boy called Scrooloose, retreats to the relative comfort of his grotto and the remains of a pull string toy. Later, as Max continues to lie unconscious, He is moved into a hut and Savannah goes about the process of cutting His hair and cleaning him up from his ordeal in the desert. Some time passes and Max wakes up suddenly, only to be met with startled screaming and a platform that is far shorter than He originally planned for, causing him to fall. Special Guests: Jon Garcia & Jeb Katt from Toy Story Minute
Max lies unconscious at the center of a large crowd of children as two of them try to wake him up. Mr. Skyfish, the kite enthusiast, is certain that Max is too far gone, but Gekko, who fashions himself a radio operator, is not nearly so quick to give up on Him. Gekko’s counterpart, Anna Goanna, spins a vinyl record tied to a stick as He tries to communicate with Max using old call signs. Meanwhile, another child, painted white, watches the proceedings from a perch high above. Special Guests: Jon Garcia & Jeb Katt from Toy Story Minute
The boy, named Finn, reaches Savannah and the two embrace as Savannah turns to reveal her prize and inform the child that she has found Captain Walker. Finn is soon joined by other members of the group, children dressed in elaborate arrangements to fur and found materials. The newcomers keep their distance at first, but soon Max is loaded onto a raft and brought back to the children’s camp where he is surrounded by an entire tribe of children. Special Guests: Jon Garcia & Jeb Katt from Toy Story Minute
The young woman drags Max to the edge of the nothing, and having stepped to the edge of a vast canyon, calls out to her people. Elsewhere in the canyon, a boy hears the woman’s call and passes it along to his companions. The group, comprised of children and teenagers, excitedly respond to the call and begin moving to meet their friend. The boy runs ahead of the others, excitedly calling out to the young woman, revealing that she is called Savannah.
The mysterious figure pauses for a moment, peering out over the sandy expanse in front of them before continuing on. They follow the undulating sands, ultimately arriving at Max’s half-buried form. The figure bends down and brushes aside Max’s long hair, discovering that he is still alive. They collect Max and lash him to a makeshift sled, and proceed to drag him through the night and into the day when it’s revealed that Max’s savior is a young woman.
Having been saved by Sally-Anne and her water flask, Max begins his wandering over the dunes. Max walks about as far as he can go until he finally collapses from the heat, wind, and dryness. Max lies unconscious as the desert slowly begins to swallow him up as the wind drifts layers of sand over his body. Night falls and out of the wasteland appears the silhouette of a wanderer, a stranger armed with long spears cresting a dune and approaching Max.
As Max tosses away the ridiculous mascot head that obscured his sense of direction and quickly discovers that not only has his horse died, but the water that was used to bait the horse into the desert is empty. Max doesn’t get much time to plan his next move as the beast is suddenly swallowed by quicksand and Max is forced to scramble up a nearby dune to safety. Max reaches the top of the dune and is miraculously met by Sally-Anne, allowing Max to take a drink.
Sally-Anne is on a harrowing quest to find Max out in the desert and deliver life-saving water, against all odds. Elsewhere in the expanse of sand and sun, Max’s horse begins to slow and drops to the sand, exhausted by the effort. Max rolls out of the saddle and frees his hands from the ropes that bound him. Time passes and the horse dies, but despite the setback, Max is able to remove the mascot head from his shoulders and finally take a look at his surroundings.
At Aunty’s command, Master is pulled up from the pigpen and instructed to do as Ironbar says. Master promises that he will be more cooperative from now on, and Aunty heads back to Bartertown. Meanwhile, in the shadows across the way, Pig killer climbs a large pipe and releases Sally-anne with a water flask tied around her midsection. She scurries away, traveling through the pipes until finally emerging into the open air and starting the long journey to save Max.
All is quiet in Bartertown until a sudden drop in power plunges everyone into darkness, with even Aunty’s penthouse going dark, causing grumbles of dissension. Deep in underworld, the power generator has malfunctioned and though Ironbar insists that he fix the problem, Master is unwilling to cooperate. As punishment for his defiance Ironbar has Master lowered into the pigs, something that terrifies him. This torture is cut short by Aunty’s arrival. Special Guests: Andy Nelson & Steve Sarmento from The Next Reel
With his fate decided, Aunty wastes no time in having Max’s sentence carried out and dispatches Ironbar and Dr. Dealgood to see that he is dealt with. On the outskirts of Bartertown, Max is tied to a baited horse and his head is covered before being sent headlong into the rolling dunes of the desert beyond. With Max in exile, our focus returns to Bartertown where night has fallen and the whole town has settled down, lit by its signature electric lights. Special Guests: Andy Nelson & Steve Sarmento from The Next Reel
As The Wheel spins, lights pass across Max’s fate, each option highlighting a different punishment, some more gratuitous than others, but none of them without their own drawbacks. The air is thick with anticipation as the wheel slows passing treacherously over Aunty’s Choice ultimately settling on Gulag. As Max sees his fate before him the spectators around the Thunderdome begin to chant max’s punishment, as Aunty looks on, satisfied with the result. Special Guests: Andy Nelson & Steve Sarmento from The Next Reel
As Aunty stands in the lights of the Thunderdome, she shouts to the people of Bartertown exclaiming that she is no stranger to their laws, being the one who wrote them in the first place, and that Max cannot leave because he is a deal breaker and must face the penalty for doing so. The Wheel is brought to the dome and Dr. Dealgood pontificates on the nature of law and how Justice is a mere matter of chance. With no other options available, Max spins the wheel.
As Master weeps over Blaster’s body, Max moves to the exit and tries to leave the Thunderdome, but Aunty’s guards block the way. Seeing that Max is being held, Pig killer shouts the one rule of Thunderdome from the sideline. Soon the entire crowd has joined the chant, calling out that two men entered, and now one man must leave. Seeing that the crowd is starting to turn in Max’s favor, Aunty leaps into the Thunderdome to secure the spotlight and address her people.
Master rushes to Blaster’s side, dropping his helmet along the way, pleading with Max to be merciful. Max turns to Aunty and wrongly exclaims that killing Blaster in this way was not part of their deal. Master overhears this and demands to know more about this deal, but Aunty is tight-lipped and instead berates Max for his unwillingness to finish the job. Master threatens to cut off Bartertown’s methane, but Ironbar has other ideas and kills Blaster on the spot.
Max’s whistle proves just as effective in Thunderdome as it was in Underworld and Max unleashes a barrage of his own on Blaster, bringing him to the ground and ultimately knocking off his massive helmet. Exhausted from the fight, Max raises his hammer for the final killing blow but stops when he sees Blaster’s true face, one as simple and ignorant as a child. The crowd screams for death, with even Aunty commanding that Blaster be killed, yet Max stays his hand. Special Guests: Niall McGowan & Jon Parker from Bat Minute ‘89
Though Blaster has lost the ability to jump great distances, he is still a deadly threat to Max who has to use his own enhanced agility to avoid Blaster’s attacks. With his speed and agility, Max is able to get his hands on a large mallet, but Blaster cuts Max free from his harness, conveniently dropping him next to his whistle. Max has to scramble to avoid Blaster’s constant pursuit, but Max is persistent and finally gets to blow his whistle and disable the beast. Special Guests: Niall McGowan & Jon Parker from Bat Minute ‘89
Having narrowly avoided being run through by Blaster, Max uses his bungee harness to retrieve a weapon of his own from the side of the dome: a chainsaw. This apparent advantage disappoints as Max has trouble starting the machine and though he gets it running, he soon finds it out of fuel. Max continues to avoid Blaster using his bungee harness and after a deft backflip, retrieves a blade and cuts Blaster loose from his harness, leaving the hulk grounded. Special Guests: Niall McGowan & Jon Parker from Bat Minute ‘89
Things are not going well for Max who finds himself being used as Blaster’s own personal trampoline. Knowing that he has to cripple Blaster’s ability to fight, Max fumbles for his whistle, a tactic that proves more and more difficult as Blaster lifts Max from the ground and starts squeezing the life from him. Max goes limp and Blaster uses this opening to slam max into the side of the dome and then grab a weapon to use against the winded road warrior. Special Guest: Scott Carelli from Dueling Genre Productions
Hanging by his bungee harness, Max punches and kicks at his opponent to no avail. Even when lowered to the ground, Max still has trouble overcoming the restrictions forced on him by being tied to the ceiling. Blaster proves much more comfortable in the harness and quickly gains the upper hand, swinging max around, and flinging him around. Max’s trouble doesn’t end there, as Blaster hammers on max’s shoulder and nearly slingshots him into a metal spike. Special Guest: Scott Carelli from Dueling Genre Productions
Before the fight can begin Dr. Dealgood brings Max and Blaster together for one last bit of advice that essentially boils down to kill before being killed. Next, Aunty gets a chance to address the combatants and waxes poetic about death listening for the weaker man. With formalities out of the way, both fighters are pulled to opposite sides of the dome and flung at each other in a display that is both impressive and ludicrous at the same time. Special Guest: Scott Carelli from Dueling Genre Productions
As Blaster is attended to by the guards, Dr. Dealgood turns his attention to his second fighter, a stranger who has wandered in out of the wasteland. Though he doesn’t remember his name, he nonetheless introduces the crowd to Max which elicits boos and hisses from the spectators. As Max is fitted for the fight the captives from Underworld arrive to watch the fight and weapons are passed hand-over-hand to hang from hooks inside the dome, ripe for the taking. Special Guests: Jonathan Howell & Chris Ramirez from Minute Impossible
It’s one of the most iconic scenes in all of science fiction cinema as the assembled spectators fervently repeat, “Two men enter, one man leaves.” As the crowd’s enthusiasm reaches its peak, Dr. Dealgood silences them and formally welcomes them to dying time. The guards open the way into the arena, and Dr. Dealgood introduces the first of his two fighters: the ball-cracker, death on foot, and the crowd favorite: Blaster. The crowd cheers. Special Guests: Jonathan Howell & Chris Ramirez from Minute Impossible
The crowd roars as we get an eyeful of the spectators that cling to the sides of the Thunderdome. We settle in on Dr. Dealgood as he quiets the cheering and begins his grand introduction with a recap of how the world was brought to heel by fighting and warring. He mourns the destruction but revels in Bartertown’s wisdom to stop the fighting as soon as it begins, in this hallowed arena where, as the law states: TWO MEN ENTER, ONE MAN LEAVES. Special Guest: Jonathan Howell & Chris Ramirez from Minute Impossible
Having heard Master’s plea, Aunty reminds him of the stakes involved with a Thunderdome, but Master insists boasting of Blaster’s strength and combat proficiency. Having heard this, Aunty approves the request. The crowd scrambles to positions on and around the fighting pit as Max is dragged off to be prepared. Aunty descends from her penthouse to her viewing platform on the dome and welcomes the crowd to another edition of Thunderdome.
Max’s proclamation that Master Blaster have taken his vehicle and his demand that they return it to Him bring the evening to a halt. Master tries to play off the situation, cracking jokes and belittling Max, but Max is persistent and leaps onto the vehicle. Blaster quickly grabs Him and is about to break His neck when the guards intercede and the squabble is brought to Aunty’s attention. Master petitions Aunty to let them find justice in the Thunderdome.
Now that he knows who he is up against and what kind of contest he’s in store for, Max is ready to get this deal done and over with so he can be on his way. His opportunity to pick a fight with Master Blaster comes in the midst of a celebration that the two are throwing that night. Master Blaster parade through town on the retrofitted camel-drawn wagon distributing libations to the revelers, so Max makes a stand and declares that they have stolen his vehicle.
Armed with the knowledge that his whistle can bring Blaster to his knees, Max slips into the shadows to make his way out of Underworld. Before He gets too far, Max once again runs into Pig killer, who is certain that Max is up to something. Upon returning to Aunty’s penthouse, Max confirms his payment and formally agrees to Aunty’s deal. Max asks where fights happen and is introduced to Bartertown’s hand-to-hand combat arena: The Thunderdome. Special Guest: George Hendricks from The Mogwai Minute
Following Master-Blaster’s power play, they drag Max back to his vehicle and command him a second time to disarm the dynamite booby trap. Max agrees to the task but before doing so, he sets off the vehicle’s alarm which causes Blaster to go berserk. Intrigued by this development, Max disables the trap and to test his observations pulls out his bosun’s whistle and begins to blow. As with the car alarm, Blaster is completely disabled by the whistle and wails in agony. Special Guest: George Hendricks from The Mogwai Minute
With Bartertown completely cut off from Underworld’s electricity, Master-Blaster once again ask, “Who run Bartertown?” Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Aunty has little option but to placate Master-Blaster and answers that they do. Not satisfied with a simple answer, Master-Blaster turns on Bartertown’s loudspeakers and forces Aunty to declare in front of the whole town that Master-Blaster runs Bartertown. Satisfied, Master-Blaster raises the embargo. Special Guest: George Hendricks from The Mogwai Minute
Frustrated by Max’s insolence and looking to flex their power, Master-Blaster declares a power embargo and drags Max over to the main shut-off valve. Master-Blaster reduces Underworld’s power output then waits for Aunty to call. As if on cue Aunty demands to know what is going on and Master-Blaster responds by asking, “Who run Bartertown?” Met with frustration, Master-Blaster shut off the power completely to put additional pressure on Aunty.
With Master-Blaster breathing down his neck, Blackfinger wracks his brain trying to find a way to disable the booby trap. He settles on an idea but Max steps forward from the shadows to dissuade him from following through. After Max reveals that the vehicle is his, Master-Blaster commands him to disarm the trap. Max asks for compensation which angers Master-Blaster and the two have a confrontation where Max says some things that hurt Master-Blaster’s feelings.
We follow Master-Blaster as they stop through Underworld until they come upon a familiar looking vehicle, Max’s camel-drawn ute. Blackfinger, Master-Blaster’s subterranean mechanic is busy trying to figure out a way to disable Max’s booby trap, but he’s not having much success. However, Master-Blaster is impatient and demands that Blackfinger ignore the danger and find a way to disable what could be up to two dozen sticks of dynamite.
Max has picked up a shovel and descended into Underworld in hopes of getting a closer look at Master-Blaster and hopefully uncover their capabilities. Unfortunately for Max, Master-Blaster are uninterested in talking to Max and completely ignore his shouting. Max is approached by one of Underworld’s prisoners, simply known as Pig Killer, who encourages Max to keep his head down to avoid being locked up for life, even if that only lasts a few years. Special Guests: Richard and Chieko Dunham from Studio Ghibli Minute
Max takes another turn at the periscope and catches his first look at Master-Blaster. The Collector explains Master-Blaster’s dynamic and comments on how they are powerful when together. Aunty adds that they are also arrogant, and therefore a threat to Her rule. The Collector continues saying that Max’s target is Blaster, the muscle, which will allow them to severely hinder Master’s ability to challenge them. Max wants to take a closer look at his quarry. Special Guests: Richard and Chieko Dunham from Studio Ghibli Minute
Aunty and The Collector bring Max over to a periscope and Aunty begins searching for something. Aunty invites Max to look through the periscope and explains that He’s looking at the source of Bartertown’s power, a place they call Underworld. Max takes a guess at where they find their energy, but it’s revealed that everything is powered by the methane extracted from pig droppings. Aunty takes another turn at the periscope and finds the men she was looking for. Special Guests: Richard and Chieko Dunham from Studio Ghibli Minute
Standing at the edge of the penthouse, Aunty tells Max how much Bartertown means to her and the ends she will go to in order to protect it. Max is cautious, still unsure of who he’s dealing with, but the payout proves to be worth the trouble. The Collector steps forward and explains that this job is incredibly sensitive and outlines the conditions that Max must follow in order for the deal to be fulfilled which prompts Max to ask for more information about his target. Special Guest: Molly Bailen from the Cabin Minute Cast
Having cut himself free from Ironbar’s noose, Max turns the tables on him and flings the guard from Aunty’s penthouse. Max spins around, knife still at the ready, to find Aunty pointing her crossbow at him, but instead of shooting him, Aunty congratulates Max for passing her audition. As Ironbar climbs back into the penthouse, Aunty takes Max aside and shows him the full extent of Bartertown, as seen from above, and muses about the civilization she’s made. Special Guest: Molly Bailen from the Cabin Minute Cast
As Ton-ton Tattoo begins playing, Aunty takes a moment to hint at her life before Bartertown, explaining that before the collapse she was no one special, but once the old world was burned away, she had the chance to turn her situation around. Ultimately she dismisses her nostalgic musings and invites Max to eat and drink, but this invitation quickly turns into an ambush and Max must fight off Aunty’s guards using only his wits, speed, and his flyswatter. Special Guest: Molly Bailen from the Cabin Minute Cast
Max enters Aunty’s penthouse and is left to wait while The Collector fetches Aunty. Sensing visitors, the blind saxophone player halts his music and Aunty steps in to inspect the warrior that has been brought to her. Although initially dismissive of Max, even asking Ironbar for his opinion, Aunty takes a second look at the Road Warrior and soon warms to Max. At Her request, Max reveals that he was once a cop. She asks the saxophone to play once more.
Max is loaded into a makeshift elevator along with The Collector and Ironbar and soon finds himself ascending high above the streets of Bartertown. Below, wastelanders gather, trade, and socialize enjoying a semblance of the world that once was. Finally arriving at their destination, Max is led off of the elevator and allowed entrance to Aunty’s penthouse, a quiet refuge from the bustle below where the only sound is the saxophone playing off-screen.
The streets of Bartertown are packed with people as Max is escorted by The Collector, Ironbar, and several guards. Suddenly, Max sees his team of camels being auctioned off by Dr. Dealgood. He breaks ranks with his escorts and tries to stop the auction, shouting and demanding answers for how his animals were brought there. Dr. Dealgood ignores Max and Ironbar, with the help of the other guards, pulls him away, leaving the bidding to continue uninterrupted.
Curious about the arrangement that would see his goods restored to him, Max follows The Collector, all the while flanked by guards. Before entering Bartertown, Max is stopped and told to leave his weapons behind. Visually bothered by the run-around he’s being given, Max turns to the weapon attendant and begins turning over his weapons. Max unloads a small arsenal of weaponry onto the counter and the group passes into Bartertown. Special Guest: Tom Taylor from the Indiana Jones Minute podcast
One of Bartertown’s guards comes forward with knives swinging on chains in an elaborate and intimidating display. Unimpressed, Max reaches into his cloak and pulls out his double-barrelled shotgun and fires above the guard’s head, destroying the enforcer’s headdress. Ironbar steps forward again, but Max pulls a handgun from his belt and points it at The Collector. Impressed by Max’s speed and calm under pressure, The Collector offers Max a deal. Special Guest: Tom Taylor from the Indiana Jones Minute podcast
Max passes on the water-seller’s offer and continues into Bartertown, but before he enters the settlement He finds he must pass by The Collector. With no physical goods to speak of, Max tries pressing for information but The Collector is quick to explain that Bartertown is for trade and Max has nothing to offer. Max protests saying that he has skills, which prompts The Collector to make a quip about the local brothel. Max does not take kindly to the jab. Special Guest: Tom Taylor from the Indiana Jones Minute podcast
With the best chance of finding his wagon and camels ahead of him, Max heads towards the settlement, joining the throng of wastelanders along the way. Amidst the traders and wanderers, Max passes under the sign for the settlement: Bartertown, helping build a better tomorrow. Max tries to keep his head down, but the guards are still suspicious of this leather-clad stranger. Before Max can enter Bartertown he is approached by a water-seller, looking to make a deal. Special Guest: Curtis Bloes from the Better Off Dead Minute podcast
Though he’s had all of his supplies stolen, Max is determined to follow the thief and reclaim his good. As he follows the tracks left by his vehicle, Max finds a pair of boots and an odd looking whistle. Max clears the dust and blows the whistle sending a shrill call across the empty expanse of wasteland. Emboldened by the supplies dropped by the monkey, Max continues tracking his stolen wagon until he sees smoke rising from a settlement in the distance. Special Guest: Curtis Bloes from the Better Off Dead Minute podcast
With his airborne attacker coming around for another pass, the man in black leaps to his feet and begins pursuing his camel cart on foot. High above, the Pilot leaves his son at the controls, moves out to the wing, and makes a daring leap onto the unmanned wagon. Luckily, the man in black has an ally still in the cart, a macaque monkey who begins throwing supplies from the back of the wagon. Left behind, the man in black reaches the crest of a ridge and reveals his face. Special Guest: Curtis Bloes from the Better Off Dead Minute podcast
High above the Moon Plain outside Coober Pedy, Australia, our perspective sways in a slow descent towards a lone wagon pulled by a team of camels. Suddenly the angle shifts and the tire of an airplane strikes the camel driver, knocking him to the ground and leaving his cart defenseless. The odd-looking aircraft starts its engine with a roar as the pilot and his son celebrate their devastating maneuver and move to make another pass on their target.
The opening credits continue as we transition from acting credits into the production team. There are familiar names returning from The Road Warrior as well as acclaimed newcomers to the series, and we take this opportunity to talk about all of them, as well as some of their other projects. We also discuss George Miller and how He expanded his team to work on this project before finally fading into the first shot of the movie.
Welcome to The Mad Max Minute Podcast! We’re back with season three where we’ll be covering George Miller’s Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (Released in The U.S.A. on July 10th, 1985 and Australia on August 8th, 1985). After the runaway success of The Road Warrior, Warner Brothers gave George Miller $10 Million to make his third installment, and the rest is history. This minute covers the first half of the opening credits, backed by Tina Turner’s “One of the Living”.