Mad Max movie fans and actors arrive in Silverton to celebrate legendary franchise
Sandi Holmes was an extra in Mad Max 2 when she was 17. (ABC Broken Hill: Coquohalla Connor)
More than 200 Mad Max 2 'The Road Warrior' fans descended on the tiny town of Silverton at the weekend to celebrate 40 years since the release of the second instalment of the Australian film franchise.
Mad Max 2 was filmed around the Far West in the early 1980s, including scenes near Mundi Mundi lookout and the Pinnacles close to Broken Hill.
A scene from the original Mad Max movie starring Mel Gibson. (Supplied: Roadshow Entertainment)
An opportunity to stand where Mel Gibson's Max stood was not something many who attended could pass up, with some travelling from across the county or even the world.
The three-day event included tours of the sites where the movie was filmed, but the majority of the time was spent at the replica compound on the outskirts of Silverton.
Tight community
The celebrations were planned for the 40th anniversary in 2021, but COVID-19 pandemic restrictions forced the event to be postponed to ensure international fans could make the pilgrimage.
Organiser Steve Scholz said it was hallowed ground.
"There are so few films out there that you can visit decades later and the landscape hasn't changed, we're stepping back 40 years," he said.
Willow, 8, dressed up as The Feral Kid. (ABC Broken Hill: Coquohalla Connor)
Mr Scholz, who travelled more than six hours from Adelaide, said events such as the celebration brought together passionate people who loved the films.
"The atmosphere is electric and I've done it so often that I had forgotten but then some of the people who were coming the first time reminded me," he said.
It was the same for international travellers Kylie and Phil Montgomery who travelled alongside Janet Smith from the United States, who was visiting Australia for the first time.
"It's such an iconic movie, I was watching it as a teenager in Australia, Janet was watching it in the US and it's such a subculture that it spawned," Mr Montgomery said.
Janet Smith and Phil and Kylie Montgomery travelled from the US to attend the celebrations. (ABC Broken Hill : Coquohalla Connor)
Ms Smith said she felt welcomed.
"It's my first time in Australia, but I had people I already knew because of the community,"she said.
Kendall Bailey was also visiting the Far West for the first time, having travelled more than 12 hours from Sydney.
Kendall Bailey dressed as Wez. (ABC Broken Hill: Coquohalla Connor)
She said while the main appeal was to stand where Mad Max stood, the chance to cosplay as antagonist Wez was a close second.
Wez is a male character who is the second to the main antagonist Lord Humungus.
But Ms Bailey said gender wasn't going to stop her cosplaying the character.
"I just feel like gender shouldn't limit your costume. Be whatever you want. That's the great thing about this hobby,"she said.
Back to where it all began
Sandi Holmes was only 17 when she got the opportunity to ride a motorbike in the film, one of the only women to do so.
Despite being born in Silverton and living in Broken Hill, returning to the sites where the movie was filmed surrounded by the community reminded her of the time she spent on set.
"I went out there for the first time in 40 years and it was really beautiful and it brought back a lot of memories," Ms Holmes said.
"I was riding motorbikes and sharpening weapons."
Emil Minty has fond memories of starring alongside Mel Gibson. (Supplied: National Film and Sound Archive)
Emil Minty played The Feral Kid in the film at only eight years old and is a much-celebrated icon in the community, with some even referring to him as their Australian cult leader.
He travelled to Silverton for the event and was amazed by the turnout and enthusiasm of the attendees.
Emil Minty stands with band members from V2A who travelled from England to perform at the event. (ABC Broken Hill: Coquohalla Connor)
"[It's the] hottest place on earth and everyone's like 'Yeah, it's all about Mad Max 2 and the fans of Mad Max 2'," Mr Minty said.
"Who can beat that? It's fantastic."
The Far West's landscape is set to ride again in the Mad Max Universe.
The upcoming Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was filmed in the town in 2022 and is set to be released in May.