MGM Home Entertainment has just unveiled plans for a Special Edition release of the action packed adventure Mad Max that launched Mel Gibson into super-stardom.

In the ravaged near future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent people while tearing up the streets, they laugh at the police force. When they terrorize the friends and family of officer Max Rockatansky, they send him into a mad frenzy that leaves him with only one thing left to live for – revenge!

The DVD will feature a new anamorphic widescreen transfer and a remastered 5.1 channel Dolby Digital audio track. The really interesting tidbit about this is, that MGM decided to release the movie with its original audio track that has never been released in the US before, instead of the dubbed version that was previously available.

The DVD also contains a commentary track by special effects coordinator Chris Murray, cinematographer David Eggby and production designer Jon Dowding. Further ,the DVD will contain a featurette entitled “Mel Gibson: The Birth of a Star,” which shows Gibson’s humble beginnings until “Mad Max” made him a household name. “Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon” is a making-of documentary that will also be included on the disc. Featuring many details of the legendary and dangerous automobile and motorcycle stunts of the movie. A Trivia Game and Trailer will also be included on the release.

“Mad Max” will take to the road on January 4 in this Special Edition at a low $19.98 suggested retail price, and I am sure, fans of the movie are already counting the days.