The World's Fastest Indian [2005]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
A movie that exudes affection and goodwill, The World's Fastest Indian is an unabashed mash note to a lovely character from New Zealand's recent past. Burt Munro, played by Anthony Hopkins, is a cantankerous Kiwi with an obsession: he's been tinkering with his 1920s-era Indian brand motorcycle for years, pushing it to ever-faster speeds. It's the 1960s, and Burt has the utterly mad idea of taking the bike to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, site of world records for speed racing. The movie takes a while to get to the journey--and then the journey takes a while--but the genial atmosphere prevails. (People of a certain age, for whom the word "Bonneville" evokes pleasant associations with hotrods and world-speed records, will not be disappointed in the film's location shooting, or its sense of awe.) Hopkins is not quite on-the-money casting for the jovial, happy-go-lucky Munro, and his accent wavers, but he nails the emotional scenes and the fascination with speed. Smaller bits are well-filled by Diane Ladd and Christopher Lawford (son of Peter), who looks uncannily of the era. New Zealand director Roger Donaldson doesn't take any chances here, but the story clearly means something to him, and that sense of commitment carries the film through its sleepier moments. --Robert Horton

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Synopsis
The life and triumph of Burt Munro, the elderly Kiwi man who, at the far from sprightly age of 68, broke motorcycle racing records in Utah, has fuelled director Roger Donaldson's creative energy for years. In the early 1970s, just a few years after Munro's incredible triumph, Donaldson directed OFFERINGS TO THE GOD OF SPEED, a documentary on the sensational senior. Here, with the help of the fine actors Anthony Hopkins and Diane Ladd, the director brings the story to vivid, dramatic life yet again, constructing a gripping and inspirational narrative. Hopkins's Munro is a rich and magnetic character, a man who wears his notable physical ailments (which include an embarrassing prostate condition and deficient eardrums) like quirky idiosyncrasies rather than debilitating defects. An active playboy, Munro is a lovable character in his small New Zealand town, an attractively unique old man with a zest for life and a love of his vintage motorcycle a bright red 1920 Indian model. After racing his own times obsessively every day, he becomes determined to live out his dream of participating in the annual Speed Week motorcycle event at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. Through local support and innovative fundraising, Munro is finally able to afford the long nautical journey across the world to Mormon-land and, beating all the incredible odds, not only enter the race but break its records with a jaw-dropping speed of 201 miles an hour. Besides telling a classic tale of individual triumph, THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN offers a sociological look at the American West of the late 1960s, an iconic landscape peppered with colourful characters that include a wizened Native American and a generous drag queen, both of whom help the eccentric elder on his quixotic quest.

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-26 rating:
BUY IT OR RENT IT - A MUST WATCH FILM I DEFY YOU NOT TO LOVE
Whatever your taste in films, you'll love this one. I was so disinclined to watch this when our local video shop owner (and rarely off the mark guru who recommends new titles to us) suggested we'd like it, but my husband convined me to give it a go - you know the old bikes and boys thing. I objected on "green" ethics, as well as not being even slightly interested in land speed records. But even I didn't just keep thinking "what a waste of fossil fuels", which I was convinced I would, and didn't experience a second of boredom! This is a story of determination, unquenchable drive and indomitable spirit. Teaches us all that if we really want something, and it's not hurting anybody else, we just have to keep at it and never take no for an answer. From peeing against his favourite tree to making a monkey out of everyone who laughed at him, Hopkins is fantastic in this film.

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review by: date: 2008-07-13 rating:
Excellent film
I too saw this film at The Rex in Berkhamsted, with my bike loving husband and my son who was 8 or 9 at the time (who I thought would struggle to sit still). We all loved it. None of us knew anything about the film as there was very little by way of promotion. It was only screened at one cinema in Oxford (local to us) and we missed the opportunity, then I saw it was on at The Rex - the perfect venue for a film such as this.
It is a truly excellent film and a flawless performance by Hopkins. To reach such a wide audience it should rank as an all-time classic. It stays with you for a long time.

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review by: date: 2008-05-21 rating:
Superb from start to finish, a must see!!
It took me a while to see this, but I'm very pleased that I bought this film, this is the true story of New Zealander Burt Munro (Sir Anthony Hopkins) on his 1967 journey to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.

I think some of the main things that appeal about this film more than anything else is Anthony Hopkins brilliant performance, the huge amount of human kindness shown by many people on his journey, plus the sheer grit and determination shown by Burt Munro in the face of the adversity.

I don't think that you have to have any interest in motorcycles, land speed records or anything like that, I certainly don't.

This is a very heart warming film which is a joy to watch, the word miracle has been replaced, it's now known as a Munro, watch this and you'll see why!!

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review by: Palyniam date: 2008-05-18 rating:
WOW
This was a film I was not too sure about, but what a brilliant brilliant film indeed, if you get the chance and you have now... buy it, you will not be dissapointed at all.....make sure you have something to wipe the tears from your eyes.


review by: date: 2008-01-27 rating:
Good story well told
Lovely film, well shot & acted. Hopkins is very good (dodgey accent though) with some solid supporting characters. Very enjoyable old fashioned film which makes you reflect on ageing/ ambition and stuff.

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