SUMMER CITY (1977)

Plot.- Four guys head for the coast to enjoy a wild weekend of surfing and boozing and to give one of their group, the soon-to-be-married Jarratt, one last fling before he ties the knot, but the fun-filled weekend climaxes in tragedy.

Anecdotes.- Mel Gibson´s first feature film. Mel was paid $400 , the actors´union minimum, for his work in the film and pitched in around the set when it was needed.

Director.- Christopher Fraser

Producer.- Phil Avalon

Screenwriter.- Phil Avalon

Photography- Jerry Marek

Editor.- David Stiven

Music.- Phil Butkis

Cast.- Mel Gibson, John Jarratt, Phil Avalon, James Elliot, Steve Bisley, Debbie Foreman, Vicky Hrelumian, Peter McGovern, Abigail.

Australia 1977

MAD MAX (1979)

Plot.- "Mad Max" took place in the post-apocalyptic future."Mad" Max Rockatansky is a cop whose wife and child are killed by gang leaders and who only wants revenge.

Anecdotes.- There was one big problem about casting Mel as Max, his tutors would not let him leave drama school (NIDA) until he had graduated. So Miller held up work on the film until Mel could begin.

Director.- George Miller

Producer.- Byron Kennedy

Screenwriters.- James McCausland and George Miller

Photography.- David Eggby

Editor.- Tony Paterson

Music.- Brian May

Cast.- Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Roger Ward.

Released by American International

Australia 1979

TIM (1979)

Plot.- Mel portrays a mildly retarded handyman, a twenty-four-year-old manchild, who captures the heart of a lonely middle-aged businesswoman (Laurie). Dramatic events take place in Tim´s family: the death of his mother and his feelings of abandonment when his sister marries.

Anecdotes.- Tim brought Mel to the attention of the Australiab Film Institute, which awarded him that year´s Best Actor Award. He was also recognized with a special honor called The Sammy Award for Best New Talent.

Director.- Michael Pate

Producer.- Michael Pate

Screenwriter.- Michael Pate

Photography.- Paul Honorato

Editor.- David Stiven


Cast.- Mel Gibson, Piper Laurie, Alwyin Kurts, Pat Evison, Deborah Kennedy

Australia 1979

See "TIM", CLICK HERE

ATTACK FORCE Z (1982)

Plot.- The title refers to an elite team of top-secret commandos serving under General Douglas McArthur in the South Pacific during World War II. The Z Force was made up of Australian, New Zealand, and other Allied troops. The film takes place at the tail end of the war and focuses on an impossible mission to rescue an important government official from a Japanese-held island in the Sembalang Straits.

Anecdotes.- Filmed in 1980, Attack Force Z would not be released for another two years in Australia. Americans only encountered the film on cable, video or late- night TV.

Director.- Tim Burstall

Producer.-   Lee Robinson

Photography.-   Lin Hun-Chung

Cast.- Mel Gibson, John Phillip Law, Sam Neill, Chris Haywood, John Waters

Australia.- 1982

See "Attack Force Z", CLICK HERE

GALLIPOLI (1981)

Plot.- The battle of Gallipoli began on April 25, 1915, and was a military disaster that costs the lives of 33,000 Allied soldiers, including 8,587 Australians. This film portrays the story through the eyes of Archie and Frank, two country boys who they are off to save the world. Their experiences soon disillusion them, though the sad reality of their situation is partly offset by their friendship.

Anecdotes.- The film was shot under some difficult conditions, improved though when filming moved into the town of Port Lincoln, where a reconstruction of Anzaac Cove had been built on the coast. While Mel was filming in the Cairo his first child (Hannah) was born.

Director.- Peter Weir

Producer.- Robert Stigwood, Pat Lowell

Screenwriter.- David Williamson

Photography.- Russell Boyd

Editor.- William Anderson

Music- Phil Butkis

Cast.- Mel Gibson, Mark Lee, Bill Kerr, Bill Hunter, David Argue

Australia 1981

MAD MAX 2. THE ROAD WARRIOR (1982)

Plot.- "Mad Max 2" follows the further adventures of Mad Max as he battles evil gang lords for what little gasoline is left on the war-ravaged earth. Coming upon a tiny refining community, he helps the inhabitants defend themselves against the feared Lord Humungus with the help of a child and a canine.

Anecdotes.- It is said that Mel taught Emil Minty how to throw a boomerang and head butt people without hurting them, something that Mel had used to great effect during his own boyhood at St. Leo´s College

Director.- George Miller

Producer.- Byron Kennedy

Screenwriters.- Terry Hayes, George Miller, Brian Hannant

Photography.- Dean Semler<

Editor.- David Stiven, Tim Wellburn, Michael Balson

Music.- Brian May

Cast.- Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Vernon Wells, Emil Minty, Mike Preston

Released by Warner Brothers

Australia 1982

THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY (1982)

Plot.- Guy Hamilton is an ambitious Australian journalist intend on making a name for himself in his new assigment in one of the world´s most volatile trouble spots. Guy meets elegant British embassy attaché Jill Bryantt. The two fall in love but Hamilton must choose between swashbuckling journalistic adventures and his passionate relationship with Jill.

Anecdotes.- While filming in Manila in the Philippines, which stood in for Indonesia, the cast and crew truly were living dangerously.

Director.- Peter Weir

Producer.- James McElroy

Screenwriters.- David Williamson and Peter Weir

Photography.- Russell Boyd

Editor.- Bill Anderson

Music.- Maurice Jarre

Cast.- Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, Linda Hunt, Bill Kerr, Michael Murphy.


USA/AUSTRALIA 1982