George Miller has directed three of the four MAD MAX films himelf, but when tragedy struck during pre-production on the third film and his producing partner Byron Kennedy was killed in a helicopter accident, Miller felt the need to bring in a co-director to help him out with MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME. That co-director was theater-and-television director George Ogilvie, who had directed episodes of the mini-series The Dismissal and Bodyline for Miller and Kennedy's production company.
Speaking with Australian Screen, Miller explained the decision:
I had the story. Terry Hayes and I figured out how to do it. And then Byron Kennedy was killed and that kind of blew it all out of the water and I was reluctant to go ahead. And then there was a sort of need to – let’s do something just to get over the shock and grief of all of that. And so George Ogilvie, who was like a mentor to me, particularly through the mini-series, particularly with actors. I said, 'Come on George’. He, in a sense I taught him how to make film. He’d had theatre, ballet, opera experience. And particularly was a great teacher of drama. I said, 'Come along’, you know, 'we’ll make this thing together’. And it, in a way of all the films, it’s the one I have most affection for of the three films. Even though most people wouldn’t agree. I realise looking back on it that we almost took on too much story. We told about three, two or three different worlds, trying to struggle … juggle all those things together."
MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME was Ogilvie's feature directorial debut, and while most of his directing credits were for TV movies and mini-series after that, he did go on to direct a few more theatrical features – SHORT CHANGED, THE PLACE AT THE COAST, and THE CROSSING.
Sadly, Ogilvie's niece has informed The Hollywood Reporter that he passed away due to cardiac arrest on April 5th. He was 89 years old.
MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME may be the least popular of the four MAD MAX films, but there is some great stuff in there, particularly the fight that takes place within the Thunderdome arena itself. I'm grateful that Ogilvie helped Miller bring that madness to the screen, and I'm sad to hear that he has passed away. I'll have to take in a memorial viewing of THUNDERDOME soon.
Our condolences go out to Ogilvie's family, friends, and fans.