The dog used in the film, named simply "Dog", was obtained from a local dog pound and trained to perform in the film. Because the sound of the engines upset him (and in one incident, caused him to relieve himself in the car), he was fitted with special earplugs. After filming was complete, he was adopted by one of the camera operators.
Max's dog was saved from being euthanized by the filmmakers. One day before he was to be put to sleep, members of the crew visited his shelter looking for a pet to cast for the film. He was picked out from several other dogs, due to him picking up a rock off the ground and playing with it like a toy. The crew members realized the dog could have a real presence on film, and had the potential to be trained. This movie ended up being the only film in which he would appear.
One of the spectacular stunts in the film, in which one of the motorcycle-riding raiders hits a car, flies off the bike, smashes his legs against the car, and cartwheels through the air towards the camera, was actually a genuine and nearly fatal accident. The stuntman was supposed to just fly over the car without hitting it. He survived, but his leg was broken badly. The moment looked so dramatic that it was kept in the film.
One of the factors which led to using the location was the prediction by rainfall charts that there would be virtually no rainfall during the shoot. But it did end up raining during the shoot, for the first time in over four years. Production was shut down for over a week.
The tanker roll stunt at the end of the chase was deemed so dangerous that the stunt driver was not allowed to eat any food twelve hours before they shot, in the likely event that he could be rushed into surgery.