The World's Fastest Indian

In this independently released sleeper, consummate actor's actor Anthony Hopkins brings a deceptively diminutive, real-life hero--legendary motorcyclist Burt Munro--to the big screen in a larger-than-life biopic. Directed with heartfelt passion by Australian Roger Donaldson, The World's Fastest Indian tells the improbable story of one man's all-consuming mission to become the fastest man on two wheels.For twenty-five years, New Zealander Burt Munro has dreamed of trekking far from the shores of his town of Invercargill to take a shot at breaking the motorcycle land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. But as the movie opens, we find not some youth with the latest tricked-out bike, but a pensioner pushing seventy and nursing hardened arteries, for which he must take nitroglycerin pills to prevent his heart from giving out. Pushing his dream even farther from the reaches of reality, he plans to ride to glory on a mechanical antique--his beloved 1920 Indian Scout. The bike originally left the factory able to reach a top speed of fifty-four miles per hour; but Burt intends to reach 200.Hopkins is brilliant in capturing the unassuming outer persona of Munro. His portrayal gives us the sense not that we are in the presence of greatness so much as resolute persistence. Burt Munro is a self-effacing charmer and tinkerer whose eccentric personality is out of phase with his stolid, suburbanite neighbors. They, understandably, are more than mildly annoyed by his loudly revving bike engine before the break of dawn, and by his absent-mindedness about getting around to mowing his lawn.One neighbor, though, twelve-year-old Tom, sees in Burt not some tottering old crank, but a hero and mentor. The scenes in Burt's tool shed as Tom listens to the old man's reminisces and aspirations are among the movie's most sincere and enchanting. Even as we are subtly prodded not to take Burt completely seriously, Tom's uncorrupted awe and youthful idolization help stoke the man's quiet inner passion to see his plan to fruition."If you don't follow through on your dreams, you might as well be a vegetable," he counsels the boy."What kind of vegetable?" Tom inquires.With biting succinctness, Hopkins replies, "A cabbage."One thing that separates Burt from a legion of dreamers who abandon their ambitions is his resourcefulness. On a shoestring budget, he constantly employs his mechanical ingenuity to modify the Indian, with which he is more intimate than he is with any living person. Never taking a day off, not even for Christmas, he spends untold hours and days forging new pistons and souping up his "motorsicle," readying it for the big trip.Much of the movie concerns itself with Burt's personal odyssey to Bonneville for "Speed Week." He finances part of the journey by working as a cook and dishwasher on a freighter bound for America. Upon arrival, he works late into the night repairing a cheap old clunker to tow the Indian across the desert to Utah. Along the way we meet a benevolent, motley crew who happen into and out of Burt's life, including a fast-talking used car salesman (comedian Paul Rodriguez) whom Burt nearly kills while test driving on the left side of the road; a hotel desk clerk in drag (Chris Williams); an aging American Indian (Saginaw Grant) who helps Burt out of a tight spot; a widow, Ada (Diane Ladd), who takes a respite from loneliness during a brief encounter with Burt; and an Airman on furlough from Vietnam (Patrick Flueger).In a quietly reflective scene, Burt relates to Ada what motivates him to push himself further:A man is like a blade of grass. He grows up in the spring, strong and healthy and green. And, then he reaches middle age and he ripens, as it were. And, in the autumn, he finishes, he fades away and never comes back...I think that when you're dead, you're dead.In this soliloquy Hopkins summarizes the film's philosophy--that there's no room for soothing stagnation on Earth by nurturing dreams to be fulfilled only in the hereafter. Life must be lived now, because tomorrow may never come.Arriving in Bonneville, Burt must overcome new challenges strewn in his path: Speed Week organizers inform him that he forgot to pre-register; his ancient motorcycle has no safety equipment; he's simply too old to be allowed to race in the time trials. But because of his dogged refusal to back down after traveling around the world, the race organizers humor Burt and allow him to enter the time trials.The World's Fastest Indian is superb in every respect. For director Donaldson, it represents the fulfillment of a double obsession: dramatizing Burt Munro's breathtaking pursuit of his lifelong goal, and realizing Donaldson's own quarter-century quest to bring his hero-friend's incredible story to the screen. David Gribble's lush cinematography is full of vibrant hues and astounding moving camerawork, expertly capturing racing vehicles traveling at speeds topping 200 miles per hour.But it's Hopkins who ultimately makes this picture work so well, in his most heroic role since playing efficacious industrialist Charles Morse in 1997's The Edge. Though not given to hyperbole, Hopkins proclaimed The World's Fastest Indian "the best film I've been in." I agree, absolutely. His natural, evocative portrayal of a man who refuses to resign himself to the tedium expected of one in old age will inspire viewers of all ages. His Burt Munro is not content merely to dream, but is that rare individual who makes his dreams reality. "For me, it's a big change," Hopkins commented about Munro, "because it's a real winner of a guy. I've had a good career playing psychopaths or uptight people, and I'm fed up with those."Ironically, his rousing performance of this aging hero is the best depiction of the spirit of youth I've seen in a decade. Spend a couple hours with Burt Munro, and you'll find in his quiet resolve the idealism you may have mislaid somewhere along the way.

Excellent film based on a true story. Fun to see the photos in the credits of the real people.

If ever there was a titularly-challenged movie THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN is it. No, this superb, subtly inspirational film isn't a Biograph biopic about the legendary Jim Thorpe, nor is it a Bollywood sports film featuring a Mumbaian marathoner, nor is it a zany Zucker Brothers comedy about Tonto with a hotfoot.Simply put, this is a marvelous, unforgettable film about the indomitable human spirit found in an unlikely place, and I don't mean the football stadium at Notre Dame University.Step aside RUDY, meet Burt.As in Burt Munro, by all standards a fine fellow in his Golden Years who should be lounging poolside at some retirement community in Auckland reliving the thrilling days of yesteryear. But this Lone Ranger is a likeable, lively, spirited son-of-a-gun with a passion to go fast and a deep rooted love for an Indian -- a 1920 American-made Indian motorcycle to be precise -- that he has lovingly rode, restored and modified over a period of forty years in an attempt to set a world speed record.Burt's obsession is brilliantly revealed early in the film when the camera dollies past a long shelf holding a lifetime of broken pistons and other failed, hand-crafted parts that belie the metal of this man. "Offerings to the God of Speed" the neatly printed words below proclaim, and it becomes abundantly clear that the Achilles' heel in his virtually insurmountable pursuit lies in the flawed aluminum alloy alchemy which takes place in a small corrugated tin shed that serves as a laboratory and a garage and a home.Yes, he's an underdog of epic proportions, but Burt knows something most AARP members have long forgotten, "If you don't follow through on your dreams, you might as well be a vegetable." It's true, folks past sixty can still have dreams. And skills. And as Burt can attest, sexagenarians can have sex as well.Anthony Hopkins is cast as Burt Munro and his endearing performance is as engaging and heartfelt and utterly charming as he has ever given. Unlike the diamond in my wife's wedding ring, Hopkins is flawless. Yes, I said flawless.Written and Directed by Roger Donaldson (NO WAY OUT, SPECIES, DANTE'S PEAK, THE RECRUIT), it is clearly evident that he admires and respects Mr. Munro given the film's virtually consummate execution, especially the exhilarating cinematography by David Gribble and the skillful editing by John Gilbert. Everything considered, this is by far Donaldson's best film to date.Of course, just getting from Invercargill, New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah proves to be a daunting task. This is especially true since Burt is near penniless and suffers from a weak heart. Luckily there is help along the way. Diane Ladd, Saginaw Grant, Paul Rodriguez, Chris Williams and Chris Lawford are just a few of the fine actors whose oddball, eclectic and surprising array of quirky characters assist Munro in his seemingly impossible quest.Burt soon discovers that Bonneville presents additional, unsuspected obstacles. Welcome, Burt, to the Mormon Mecca for Speed where dreams of conquest dissipate as ethereally and as often as Fata Morgana.But Burt's accomplishment was no mirage. It was damn near a miracle.They say fame is fleeting, but this doesn't apply to an old geezer named Burt Munro who was clocked at over 200 miles per hour in a clunky contraption, man and machine as one, the rickety relic and the cantankerous old Kiwi solidly establishing a world's speed record that still stands today, almost thirty years later.Unbelievable, but true.Fittingly, for his stunning achievement the little town of Invercargill changed its official motto from "City of Water and Light" to "Where Dreams Come True." An appropriate tribute, indeed, to an inspiring individual the God of Speed took a liking to, just as you will when you see THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN.

Anthony Hopkins has appeared in over a hundred films during his fifty-year career as an actor. Though famous for his performances as Hannibal Lector and the legendary Zorro, few roles have been as much fun for him to play as that of the real-life Burt Munro--a seventy-year-old New Zealander who was finally able to make his dreams come true by coming to America and racing his motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats.The World's Fastest Indian refers to the 1920 Indian motorcycle that Burt Munro purchased when he was in his mid-twenties. At that time the bike could only go about fifty miles an hour. Not knowing a hill of beans about how to work on a motorcycle, Burt took it upon himself to slowly learn how to take his bike apart and then to put it back together, sometimes having to make the motorcycle parts himself from scratch in his tool shed. Burt's intent was to make his bike go faster and faster. And, over the next forty-something years, he got his Indian to do speeds of over a hundred miles an hour. That, however, wasn't enough. Burt's dream was to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah during Speed Week and try to get his bike to go over two hundred miles an hour. No one really thought he could do it. Defying all logic, Burt mortgaged his home, packed his motorcycle up, and hopped a steamer to the United States in 1967. When he got to Los Angeles, he purchased a cheap car and hooked his Indian to the back of it and eventually made his way to Utah. Once he reached the Bonneville Salt Flats, no one at first wanted to let him race. The man was in his seventies with heart problems, and his Indian motorcycle wasn't in the best looking condition when compared to the other machines competing for world speed records. Because of Burt's perseverance and positive attitude about life, he eventually won over the people at the Salt Flats and the rest is history.This movie, directed by Roger Donaldson, deals with Burt's odyssey in getting to Utah and the problems that he had to overcome. It was no piece of cake, yet he never gave up on moving forward with his dreams. There always seemed to be people who would come to his aid like synchronicity and help him to get over each hurdle that faced him. The World's Fastest Indian is a beautiful testimony to never giving up on your dreams no matter how old you are. This film is also the dream of Roger Donaldson. His first student film was a documentary on Burt Munro. He met Mr. Munro and realized that this old man was the stuff of movie legends. Mr. Donaldson then spent twenty-five years trying to get The World's Fastest Indian made. No one wanted to touch it until Anthony Hopkins read the script and decided that this was a movie he wanted to make with Roger Donaldson. Mr. Hopkins brings to life the character of Burt Munro by depicting his eccentricities and his good-natured attitude about life and how to live it. The audience is immediately drawn into the dreams that Mr. Munro wants to accomplish and roots whole-heartedly for him during the entire length of the film. This is certainly a feel-good movie of the highest caliber. It inspires one to never give up and that anything is possible if your heart is in the right place. The DVD extras include a behind the scenes making of the film, the original documentary that was done by Roger Donaldson, a look at Southland, New Zealand and how Munro affected the people of his community, several deleted scenes, and a feature-length commentary by the movie's director/writer, Roger Donaldson. The World's Fastest Indian is definitely one of Anthony Hopkins' best roles to date, and the movie will have you yearning to hop on a motorcycle to see just how fast you can get it to go.

I watched The world's Fastest Indian last night and was absolutely floored. The following review is more about the sense of feeling this movie evoked in me then an actually critique. I believe this movie will strike a cord with a lot of people, as it did with me. Anthony Hopkins has really hit the nail on the head this time. This movie, as the previous reviewer stated is a must see for motorcycle enthusiasts. I believe though a film such as this will appeal to more then just a small segment of the population. It is the true story of a man who had a dream of setting the world land speed record on his Indian motorcycle and preseveres through all manners of trials and tribulations to achieve his goal. On his journey to the Bonneville Salt Flats from New Zealand, he meets all manner of interesting characters who provide him with assistance to achieve his dream.Movies such as this I feel provide a sense of hope to all who may have dreamed a little dream. When I was a wee red haired lad I knew a man similar to Burt Munro, the character Anthony Hopkins plays , he was my grandfather. It dawned on me, as I was watching this movie, I too use to sit in my grandfathers work shed and watch as he built all manner of things. He was self-taught and had a good sense of all things mechanical. I spent hours listening to him philosophize about life in general and have carried with me to this day, many little nuggets of wisdom he past on.This movie reminded me of my youth and all the good things that happened during that time. All I was looking for was to see Anthony Hopkins's character go over 200 miles an hour on an Indian, but I ended up seeing something else. Huh, imagine that. It's an odd thing how movies such as this can evoke such strong emotions in a person. My grandfather sadly past away 31 years ago this October. He along with my grandmother were killed by a drunk driver. In the movie Burt stated on several occasions he was dead set against drinking and smoking, hence why I mention the above accident. I just found this movie to strangely parallel certain things in my life and that is why, I guess, it has provoked such strong emotions within me. I am not really sure what that makes it, but it is most certainly worth watching more than once.Anyway, for better or worse those are my thoughts on The World's Fastest Indian. I just ordered in once again in HD DVD, I suspect the PQ & AQ will be excellent.

Classic. Hilarious & Inspiring Movie based on True Story. Any Gear Head, Hot-Rod, car-guys, Motorcycle Enthusiasts, Racers & Racing Speed Enthusiasts, mechanics. Will Love This was made with irony and jokes throughout it, I have shared with many people and Never had anyone not like this Movie. Anthony Hokins played this role to perfection.

Hopkins never ceases to amaze me. His ability to completely inhabit a character are, once again, put to excellent use. His Munro seems very much like the archival footage of the man (included with the disc) - determined, focused, but strangely unsentimental. It's a man whose actions are so guided by his vision that he's managed to detach himself from all but a few essential personal relationships. I won't go into plot details here, there are plenty of other reviewers who've already done so.I almost wish, though, that the writers had taken less liberties with the actual timeline of Munro's achievements at the salt flats. I understand the need for a proper dramatic arc within the movie, but by the third and fourth act I began to get a bit of that Deus Ex Machina feeling. (I'm trying NOT to give too much away, here.)Regardless, if you haven't seen this yet, do. You won't regret a moment of it. My wife and I are still talking about it more than a month after viewing.

This is a fairly quiet and subtle movie, which is somewhat ironic given that it's about someone who has the dream of going faster on a motocycle than anyone ever has ever before. That man is Burt Munro, and he's played amazingly well in this movie by Anthony Hopkins, who proves, yet again, that he's one of the greatest actors ever (who else could play Hannibal Lecter, Richard Nixon and Burt Munro and do them all SO WELL?).The movie is based on Burt Munro (from Invercargill, New Zealand, as he tells anyone who asks). He was an ageing Kiwi who wanted to go to the Bonneville Salt Flats with his Indian motorcyle and see just how fast it would go. This movie chronicles his effort to do just that.Watching the film, you'd almost claim that Munro was a made-up character. A fiction, put forth by New Zealand to prove that they're more than just Middle Earth's stunt-double. But, no, he was a real person and from what I saw in this movie, one heck of a guy! The sort of man you'd like to just hang out with for a few hours, listening to him tell stories.That Munro does indeed get to Bonneville and run his bike is no surprise. But the journey he takes to get there is amazingly interesting. The film takes a bit to get going, but once he hits the ground in the US, there's no stopping the movie, and if you don't find yourself wanting to stand up and cheer at the end, there may be no hope for you (and you might need to watch a few Michael Bay films as punishment).Equally interesting on the DVD is the documentary, "Offerings to the Gods of Speed", which is a documentary film by the same director showing you the real-life Burt Munro. You'll learn that, if anything, Hopkins may have dialed the performance down a tad, as anyone playing Burt Munro true-to-life would surely be accused of wretched overacting.I have no interest in motorcycles or things that go fast. But that doesn't matter. This was still a fantastic and horribly overlooked movie that deserves a chance to be seen. Watch and enjoy!

Très beau film d'aventure basé sur une histoire vraie, l'Amérique en 66-67 en toile de fond.

男なら誰が観ても「カッコいい！」と思える映画です

Ótimo mas idioma só inglês

Great film,Some very funny parts and sketches in it, and typical of the Americans only understanding the English accent.

Great movie for motorcycle buffs