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Mad Max movie posters

Contributed by Patrick Concannon on Apr 27th, 2023. Artwork published in .
1979 Australian One Sheet, Orange Style, featuring Kabel Black and Futura
Source: movieposters.ha.com Heritage Auctions. License: All Rights Reserved.

1979 Australian One Sheet, Orange Style, featuring Kabel Black and Futura

Movie posters for the 1979 Australian science fiction film Mad Max, directed by George Miller. Starring Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, a rogue cop, out for the blood of those who murdered his wife and child. It is the first film in the Mad Max series.

For the 1979 Australian One Sheet, the film’s logo, rendered in a 3D chrome effect with bevel, is based on Kabel Black, which is also used for the credit block. The tagline is set in the bold weight of Futura. This one sheet poster design was printed in three alternate colors – blue, purple and orange. The designer is unknown. The logo featured on this poster is also used in the film’s opening title sequence, designed by Bill Owen.

For the 1979 British One Sheet, the film’s title is rendered in a perspective logotype that appears hand lettered. The tagline and credit block are set in ITC Serif Gothic. Artwork and design by Tom Beauvais.

For the 1980 US One Sheet, the film’s title is set in Reporter, in blood red with a white shadow. The tagline is set in Helvetica Condensed. The credit block is set in Helvetica Compressed, with additional “Released by” text set in what looks to be either Neue Aurora or Inserat-Grotesk. Copyright notice is set in Trade Gothic Extended. Artwork and design by Bill Garland. An early comp of this poster can be viewed here. The titling featured on this poster is also used in the US trailer for the film.

Film's logo, as seen in the opening title sequence of the 1979 film.
Source: www.youtube.com License: All Rights Reserved.

Film's logo, as seen in the opening title sequence of the 1979 film.

1979 British One Sheet, with a perspective logotype that appears hand lettered. The tagline and credit block are set in ITC Serif Gothic. Artwork and design by Tom Beauvais.
Source: movieposters.ha.com Heritage Auctions. License: All Rights Reserved.

1979 British One Sheet, with a perspective logotype that appears hand lettered. The tagline and credit block are set in ITC Serif Gothic. Artwork and design by Tom Beauvais.

1980 US One Sheet, featuring the film's title set in Reporter. The tagline is set in Helvetica Condensed. The credit block is set in Helvetica Compressed, with addtional "Released by" text set in what looks to be either Neue Aurora or Inserat-Grotesk. Copyright notice is set in Trade Gothic Extended. Artwork and design by Bill Garland.
Source: movieposters.ha.com Heritage Auctions. License: All Rights Reserved.

1980 US One Sheet, featuring the film's title set in Reporter. The tagline is set in Helvetica Condensed. The credit block is set in Helvetica Compressed, with addtional "Released by" text set in what looks to be either Neue Aurora or Inserat-Grotesk. Copyright notice is set in Trade Gothic Extended. Artwork and design by Bill Garland.

Film's title, as seen in a US trailer
Source: www.youtube.com License: All Rights Reserved.

Film's title, as seen in a US trailer

Typefaces

  • Kabel Black
  • Futura
  • ITC Serif Gothic
  • Reporter
  • Helvetica Condensed
  • Helvetica Compressed
  • Haas Inserat-Grotesk / Neue Aurora VIII
  • Trade Gothic Extended

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