Miller and Max: Interesting Snippets
I just got my hands on a book called Miller and Max, about George Miller’s life as a film director. The audiobook version is read by Paul Johnstone, who played Cundalini. I found some interesting bits on MM1, so here they are, presented for your convenience!
Nightrider’s girl, played by Lulu Pinkus, is often known as Marmaduke. However, the MM1 script calls her Lobotomy Eyes.
Tim Burns prepared for the role of Johnny the Boy by writing Johnny’s lines on massive sheets of paper. Burns affixed these papers to the walls of his apartment while listening to The Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock and Roll But I l Like It. ” (Johnny’s official theme song now, I guess?)
Hugh Keays-Byrne (Toecutter) weighed about 240 lbs/105 kg when he filmed Stone.
Hugh Keays-Byrne convinced the film producers to let the gang ride their bikes from Sydney to Melbourne, as it would help everyone get into character and save money on transportation.
The Armalites’ performance was the product of some hardcore method acting – they even avoided showers at all costs. They also got to personally deck out their bikes and sleep alongside the highways. Interestingly, they considered themselves to be the heroes of the film – and Tim Burns (Johnny) embraced this idea so deeply, he was shocked to discover that he was playing a villain. Tim Burns is the gift that keeps on giving.
Hugh Keays Byrne believed that Toecutter was the neediest member of the Armalites, and that he must have “suffered terribly” to have such a disposition.
Paul Johnstone, who played Cundalini, had a minor bike accident while riding from Sydney to Melbourne to film the movie. He’d been lagging behind the group, and tried to catch up. Unfortunately, he hit some loose gravel and was thrown from his bike. An unaffiliated driver checked to see if he was okay. Ultimately, Johnstone felt the incident was a net positive, as it made him more vigilant when handling the bike.
During the ride from Sydney to Melbourne, the bikies encountered some bad weather. They shielded themselves with plastic sheets tied to trees. As the book puts it, “Just your average group of leather-clad grown men, cuddling together on the side of the road in the wet.” Awwwwwwww.
After the infamous stunt where an Armalite gets smacked in the head with a bike tire, John Ley (Charlie) gave the stuntman a impromptu chiropractic adjustment. Eek.
