The Gyro Captain

A scarecrow ace of the wasteland, flying a ramshackle gyrocopter.

The Gyro Captain is a wanderer who searches for fuel and supplies using a ramshackle old gyrocopter. He is portrayed by Bruce Spence. He ambushes Max, who is trying to collect fuel from the apparently abandoned gyrocopter, but is overpowered with the help of Max's dog and spared in return for leading Max to a working oil refinery he has discovered. He later decides to throw in his lot with the settlers and help defend their compound. Writing for Time, Richard Corliss called the Captain 'a deranged parody of the World War I aerial ace: scarecrow skinny, gaily clad, sporting a James Coburn smile with advanced caries.'

Quick Facts

Vehicle: Gyrocopter

Lore & Background

The Gyro Captain first appears when Max tries to collect fuel from the Captain's apparently abandoned gyrocopter. The Captain ambushes Max, but Max overpowers him with his dog's help, sparing his life in return for being led to a working oil refinery. They arrive during the daily attack on the facility by a motorised gang, of which Wez is a member. Later, Max encounters the Gyro Captain again and forces him to carry gasoline to a semi-truck, which Max gets started. The Captain follows the truck to the refinery in his gyrocopter. After Max is seriously injured and left for dead, the Gyro Captain rescues him and returns him to the compound. During the escape, the Gyro Captain is shot down. After the escape succeeds, the Gyro Captain succeeds Pappagallo as leader of the settlers and takes them north.

Reader's Guide

The Gyro Captain is a supporting character in Mad Max 2 (1981), played by Bruce Spence. He pilots a ramshackle old gyrocopter and initially acts as a scavenger, ambushing Max beside the gyrocopter. After being spared, he becomes an ally, helping Max retrieve a semi-truck and later rescuing Max from death. During the escape from the compound, he is shot down but survives. He ends the film as the new leader of the settlers, taking them north. The character is known for his distinctive appearance—described as 'scarecrow skinny, gaily clad'—and his resourcefulness.