You and me, Max, we're gonna give them back their heroes!metal hurlant chronicle

Do you remember that very first time you saw that little old Australian film called Mad Max? The movie that literally destroyed every action scene you saw so far - no matter what age you are or what your beliefs are. Mad Max, back then, and to this day still continues 'kicking ass and taking names'. Well, without further ado, let's have a talk with one of the men responsible for some of the most groundbreaking action scenes in the history of cinema. A man so tough "he died" during the filming, yet lived to tell the tale. Meet Dale "Donut Dale" Bensch.

How did you become involved in Mad Max?

Dale: "Along with 3 or 4 mates, I responded to a poster in a motorcycle shop in Elizabeth Street Melbourne , seeking 10 extras for a movie."

It is to my understanding that you weren’t a stuntman. Yet, you wound up in some of the most spectacular scenes in the movie, right in the middle of the action?

"They (Kennedy Miller) knew I was a drag racer at the time, and had watched/auditioned me doing a ‘mono’ outside the production office before filming began. So I think they utilised myself and others not only as extras but also stunt work where they saw fit."

This movie is one of the most groundbreaking action films ever made on a fairly low budget by an unknown director. Was it clear during production that you guys were working on something special?

"No. We didn’t know how it would go. Probably more thoughts along the line of 'just another movie'.

I remember asking Hugh Keays Byrne if he thought it would be as good as the movie Stone, to which he responded “with a bit of luck it will be better”.

We knew it was a low budget movie, but definitely did not expect it to have the impact it did and still does. About a year after its release, I heard a radio news broadcast saying it had sold to 63 countries. That’s when I realised 'WOW!, it’s big!"

On to the famous or infamous bridge scene, it’s been discussed many times about “how that stuntman died” during that scene. Yet, I gotta say, you seem to do pretty okay? What happened in that scene?

"Well, it was my fault that I flipped with the bike. But in hindsight, it was a good thing because it has become a well remembered ‘urban legend’ that “he” died.

Basically, I held on to the handle bars too long, which pulled me over when the rear tyre regained traction while bouncing on its side, and flipped us both (me and Starbucks bike) over. My mate Michael Daniels actually did the stunt perfectly, but ironically his part of our stunt is not something that people remember."

Would you call it a fortunate misfortune? Or Vice Versa? Was it a statement that was made around the release that someone allegedly died in one of the stunts?

"More of a fortunate error.

Error:

As described earlier (my fault).

Fortunate that:

I wasn’t hurt.
Camera’s got pretty good shots.
The Urban Legend! (I love it … ha ha ha!) Or really more so that it is remembered by probably millions of people world wide.

I don’t believe it was publically announced that “he” died, but perhaps it was rumoured from the filmmakers? I don’t really know, but recall hearing a year or two later that people believed 'he' died."

Did you know the film’s stunt co-ordinatorGrant Page personally before Mad Max or heard about his reputation? From reading his book, and being a fan of you ‘Aussie stunties’ in general I know it seems like a few people on the set were a bit like “oh lord…here’s the stunt coordinator, already in plaster and we haven’t started filming yet”. And still, he did a lot of the stunts with a broken leg. And how was it to work with him?

"It was an honour and a pleasure to work with Grant Page, although we didn’t initially know of his experience and reputation.

We were all amazed at his activities and stunts with a freshly broken leg. It may have slowed him a little, but a broken leg certainly did not stop Mr Page!"

Grant Page on the set of Mad Max:

Stunt co-ordinator Grant Page broke his leg and nose on his way to the set when a truck pulled up in front of him.

One of the most memorable scenes in the film is when The Goose leaves the nightclub and his bike has been sabotaged. What follows is one hell of nasty looking fall, how does a scene like that come together? Also, the poor camera man David Eggby comes to mind.

"Yeah. From leaving the cabaret to the crash, there were 5 riders.

Steve Bisley (idled out to the roadway).

Myself (spinning wheel take off).

Terry Gibson (high speed ride with David Eggby ‘strapped’ to Terry, holding a no doubt heavy camera and NO HELMET!).

Gerry Gauslaa (flying through the air stunt)

Grant Page (running and rolling in the field because Gerry Gauslaa’s landing caused cardboard boxes, etc., to fly up into camera view spoiling the shot)."

For many people, including myself, the first movie is the best one, even though the second movie looks even more wild and crazy. Could you elaborate on that?

"Mad Max is the name of the movie and I cringe every time I hear 'Mad Max 1', although in some situations it is quicker and easier to say MM1.

Yes, I’m a biased Mad Max fan and never really got into Mad Max 2 until fairly recently.

Since the October 2008 Little River event I have been involved with a Mad Max forum and attend some events with some replica vehicle owners. Meeting Emil Minty (Feral Kid MM2) at Little River, and a recent MM2 30th Anniversary 'get together' in Silverton has increased my respect for MM2, but for me Mad Max is the one!"

I remember being eleven years old and seeing Mad Max on a Sunday afternoon at a local movie theatre for the first time. I spent the next year falling of my bicycle on purpose making sure all the neighbourhood girls saw me and at night I re-enacted the movie with my little brother’s G.I.Joe. Have you heard more of these stories over the years. The film making such an impact on people that they started doing cool stuff like I did?

"I see things that people do; a lot via the internet. Replica / then and now photo’s, replica stunts, costumes, events, “Mad Max Donuts” (which has become a standard phrase in Germany and many parts of the world so I believe), replica vehicles (even my personal ‘Donut bike’ in Japan and Oz), and the amazing motorcycle stunts, mono’s and ‘feet up’ donuts performed these days which make my Clunes donut look very lame.

And I love hearing and contributing to the movie line comments such as 'Dunno man, just got here meself', 'Perhaps it’s the result of an anxiety', etc., but lots of fans know them much better than I do.

(A buzz phrase during filming one day was 'Light me Johnny' as it was around the time of that dramatic scene)."

Talking about people doing cool stuff. Have you visited the Mad Max Museum ? Here’s a great example of a man making his dreams come true.

"Finally got there in March 2011 with the MM2 gathering as I mentioned before.

Adrian (Bennett) is a legend, top bloke and it’s a pleasure that we now refer to each other as brother. He deserves the best there is, and his wife Linda is a fine example of that, going along with (or putting up with?) his Mad Max passions over many years.

Their Mad Max museum is an outstanding achievement and couldn’t be run by a nicer family.

I’m planning another trip there in December or January (2012)."

The Mad Max films spawned a whole bunch of cheap imitations all over the world. Ever seen any of those? Any favourites?

"Can’t remember many, but as they say in Thailand , 'Same same but different'.

I think the film makers copy ideas. They’d be silly to try or consider them as imitations, although die hard MM fans would certainly think that.

But a must see for all MM2 fans is “The Loaded Warrior”:

Now with Mad Max four being in production and with a promising 300 stunts. George Miller seems like a stand up kinda guy though, a guy who would make it up to the fans for what he did with Mad Max III. However, that one had some nice scenes too. But do you think they will be able to keep things real? With nowadays technology it’s seems fairly easy to go “all out” on the action scenes.

"I reckon George Miller has got the message over the years that fans want raw vehicle related action and I think he will deliver in MM4 / Fury Road ."

How’s Mel these days?

"Who?
Dunno. He doesn’t return my calls."

Anything you would like to add?

"I have the utmost respect for the Mad Max fans and replica owners from all over the world. The enthusiasm and efforts they go to are an inspiration to say the least … you are one fine example Chris.

Like many others, I am looking forward to Fury Road (MM4).

Not an animation, not obvious CGI tweaks, not along the lines of MM3, but gutsy car, motorcycle, vehicle action and stunts similar to what we see in Mad Max and Mad Max 2/Road Warrior.

I believe George Miller will deliver the goods.

Mel Gibson was great, but I believe the real star of Mad Max was the supercharged Black on Black MFP Interceptor."