Wee Jerusalem was a settlement that appeared in Mad Max.
Description[]
Wee Jerusalem was, as its name suggests, a small settlement with a wide street, lined with buildings and a railway station. It had a real "Wild West" vibe. It felt isolated, almost like a "ghost town" which was very apropos for the themes of the movie, society in decay.
It was here that the body of the Nightrider was scheduled to be picked up from the railway station by Toecutter. Subsequently, the small town and its inhabitants were terrorized by Toecutter and his gang in a anarchist retaliation for their loss which dramatically exacerbated the "Wild West" sense of isolation as there was no form of law enforcement to save the people from the terror.
In fact, as the gang was literally running wild through the town, acting like the stark, raving psychotics they were, a young couple — Lair and his girlfriend — attempted to flee. But Toecutter wasn't having it and sicced his gang on them like wild dogs. Many of the gangsters chased down their car and forced it off the road where they proceeded to destroy it before attacking its occupants.
Symbolism[]
Wee Jerusalem derives its name from the town, Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Jerusalem was where Jesus lived as a child and is the city that is mentioned the most times in the Holy Bible. From the Liberty Journal:
"From a religious perspective, the Bible, which mentions Jerusalem more than any other place (about 800 times), states, 'the Lord has chosen Jerusalem and will dwell there forever' (Psalm 132:13-14) and expressly calls upon God’s people to never forget Jerusalem and to 'exalt it above their chief joy' (Psalm 137:5-6)."[1]
Symbolically speaking, Wee Jerusalem is a holy place where the people are peaceful. Yet, evil and anarchy have come to overtake the town and there is no law enforcement in sight to stop it.
Trivia[]
- Fraser Street, the main street of Clunes, Victoria, was used to film the town of Wee Jerusalem.
References[]
- ↑ Price, Randall (February 21, 2018). Examining the Significance of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital. Liberty Journal. Retrieved on July 14, 2025.