The World's Fastest Indian
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Movie Reviews of The World's Fastest Indian
Movie Review: See this movie NOW!
Summary: 5 Stars
"If you don't go when you want to go, when you do go, you'll find you're gone!" -- Burt Munro (as played by Anthony Hopkins). No words could be closer to the truth. They are the epitomy of Burt Munro's philosophy of life. For a synopsis of the movie, read the other reviews. For the true story, do a Google search using the movie title as the search string. You'll find awesome information particularly at the "indianmotorbikes.com/features/munro" and ".../features/movie" sites (and don't forget to check out the other links referenced). "scta-bni.org" contains information about the Bonneville Salt Flats and the three annual LSR events they host. The site also includes a listing of all records (with Burt Munro still listed, of course) and pictorial history from the last couple of years.
From date clues in the movie, the events of the movie take place in 1962, the first year that Burt Munro went to Bonneville in real life. However, all the events encountered and his triumph of an LSR (land speed record) that are depicted in the movie actually took place over the 6 years from 1962 through 1967 when he finally set the record that stands to this day.
This is one of the best sports movies I have ever seen, ranking up there with "Remember the Titans", "Miracle", and "Without Limits". I've seen this movie in the theater four times already, and was completely drawn in every time. I love motorcycles, and the movie is about a man and his "motorsickle", but there are only four scenes of Burt actually racing his bike. This story is not about the cycle, but about the man and his trial and triumph.
I eagerly await the release of the DVD. However, I hope that the following features are included:
- theatrical trailer and film clips (all versions that were made, see "rottentomatoes.com" for a nice selection)
- director's commentary
- original 1970's documentary about Burt Munro
- deleted scenes (the owner of one of the vehicle extras took lots of pictures and he described scenes that he saw being filmed such as after Burt sets the record but that aren't in the theatrical release)
- version of movie with the deleted scenes inserted
- widescreen, of course
As of today, the movie is still playing in 176 theaters in the U.S... run, don't walk, to the nearest one to see the movie on the big screen. You will not be disappointed.
Movie Review: A Beautiful, Touching, Entertaining Tale of Dreams and Aging
Summary: 5 Stars
It seems many viewers avoided this film when it was in the theaters because the title was confusing and not representative of the story. The fact that Sir Anthony Hopkins was the lead actor should have been a signal of sorts, but it took the release of the DVD for this viewer to reluctantly rent the film when other possibilities were low. Big Mistake! This is one of the more genuinely fine films about the idomitability of the human spirit that has been released in some time.
Based on a true story, the 'Indian' of the title has nothing to do with the heritage of the character Burt Munro, a 67 year old odd but generously kind New Zealander whose lifelong passion is to race his 1923 'Indian motorbike' in the Bonneville Salt Flats Races in America. Burt lives for his dreams and despite the fact that his idiosyncrasies befuddle his neighbors and townsfolk (with the except of the little boy Tom next door who idolizes him), he manages to make everyone with whom he comes into contact admire, and yes, love him. Using his own skills he brings his old motorbike to the point that he can enter the race in the States and with the financial help of his friends he manages to board a ship with his bike and sail to America. In the US he is a fish out of water and must adjust to the city life and attitudes of the Americans, but eventually, through his innate charm and dedication to his dream, he does manage against all odds and, with the help of many American new friends, enter the race to break the world's record for speed on a motorbike.
Hopkins owns the role of Burt and despite his not always on target New Zealand accent he manages to deliver surely one of his most endearing portrayals of his rich career. His encounters with Tom, with a feisty widow Ada (Diane Ladd), with a fine old wise Indian man, and with a transsexual motel clerk Tina (Chris Williams), to name only a few of the superb supporting cast - are the epitome of underplayed fine acting and engender so much warmth that tears of happiness just can't be avoided. Writer and director Roger Donaldson deserves a standing ovation for this small, sensitive, gentle, understated tale that demonstrates so well how being true to your visions and your dreams can overcome almost any obstacle. A deeply touching and completely entertaining movie. Highly Recommended for all audiences. This is one to Buy! Grady Harp, June 06
Movie Review: Burt Munro: An Amazing Man
Summary: 5 Stars
This was an interesting story of an older guy traveling all the day from New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to try to set a world speed record on his motorcycle. With Anthony Hopkins playing that man, you know it's not some hokey little B-film. It's also based on real-life character who did this back in 1969.
This film reminded me of "The Straight Story," starring Richard Farnsworth. That dealt with an old man taking a long tractor ride across the state of Iowa to see his dying brother. It featured a bunch of nice characters he met along his journey. This is much the same as we witness Munro's encounters with a variety of people in the United States. Like "The Straight Story," all the people are good people and help our man. That's nice to see.
Once he finally gets to the Salt Flats, however, his problems are far from over as he is unable to meet any of the minimum safety standards. It appears he made his trip for nothing, but, you'll see what happens if you view this movie/
Once again, having no villains was very appealing to me. New Zealanders say Hopkins did them proud, too, and they would know if he did a good job or not playing a man from their area of the world, whether he sounded and acted realistically. They say he did.
I enjoyed the first 35 minutes of this story the most. Maybe because that's the most innocent part of the film and features a young boy who looks up to Bert and encourages him when few others are willing to do so.
It's when Munro reaches America where the "nice, clean family film" goes south a bit. He hooks up with transvestites, one-night stands, profanes here and there and the PC angle gets a little overplayed. However, despite those negatives that make America a little too weird, everything is done is a tasteful way and it still was a wonderful story. It has to be an inspiration for older folks who might think life's challenges are over once they hit a certain age. Not so, as Mr. Munro shows us in this inspiring, well-photographed film.
This certainly is quite an unknown movie for one which has such a famous actor in the starring role. It's well worth your time, though, to check out..
Movie Review: Very nearly perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
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!
Movie Review: Really great "True Story"
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this movie twice in theaters and have read one of the books on Burt. The movie is really great and Hopkins is excellent in it. It is an amalgamation of several years of trips that Burt made to Bonneville. What Roger Donaldson (the director) doesn't cover is the fact that Burt was a highly acclaimed racer in Australia and New Zealand for decades and that his latest goal (Bonneville) came about because he had gone as fast as he could on the beaches of New Zealand and he was retired with nothing else to concentrate on BUT making his beloved Indian motorcycle go faster and faster. He also had a long history of charming people into doing anything for him to help him with his Indian. That he was able, over the course of 4+ decades, to accomplish turning a 1920 flathead motorcycle (max speed less than 60 mph) into an overhead valve streamliner capable of 200+ mph (and set a record that still stands) when he was "too old" is amazing, but absolutely true. His story is one of perseverance despite the odds. That's what the movie is all about and it's a valuable life lesson.
SEE THE MOVIE in a theater while you still can (preferably with a very large screen and a really good sound system - the sound of the racers at Bonneville will send chills up and down your spine.) Take your spouse, your friends, etc., but GO.
Then, BUY THE DVD when it comes out in June. Hopefully it will have the New Zealand TV documentary Donaldson made back in the early '70's (with the real Burt in it) that we never got here in the states. Also, there is supposed to be a video on the making of the motorcycles used in the movie that I hope they include on the DVD.
Finally, if you enjoyed the movie and want to know more, BUY one or both of the books available (although I am still waiting on Hanna's book - it keeps getting delayed). I have already read Begg's book (a close friend of Burt's), which rambles somewhat, but it covers Burt's whole life and is full of interesting information and pictures.