The World's Fastest Indian
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.12 You Save: $6.86 (46%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.05 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The World's Fastest Indian
Movie Review: Endearing and inspriring.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is at least a semi-factual recounting of a stubborn old man who refuses to take "no" for an answer. He shrugs off criticism and he fights for his dream. One day he is given a chance and proves everyone wrong when he breaks a land-speed record, which still stands today.
I normally shy away from biopics to avoid any cheap excuses to not enjoy a movie, but I felt compelled to see The World's Fastest Indian. I know many people like to see accuracy in biopics, but I cannot speak to how well Hopkins portrayed Munro. That is probably one of the reasons I even watched this movie.
And if I did not see it, I probably would have never heard the story of Burt Munro. In the annals of history, Munro will not be listed amongst the most influential or the most powerful, but his story is an endearing and inspirational one. And that is what you can expect from The World's Fastest Indian.
I understand and respect your reservations about watching a movie based on a legend in the world of motorcycles. If, however, you are able to see that the movie is about the man, and not his motorcycle, maybe you will give it a try and find the heart-warming story about a man who never gave up.
I had never heard of Burt Munro. I wondered, "What makes him so special? Why is there a movie based on his life rather than that of someone else who may have done something extraordinary?" Those are questions that I cannot necessarily answer, but I no longer wonder. I learned about Burt Munro, I felt for him, and I enjoyed the movie.
This is a good movie to watch with people you care about. You don't have to, of course, but you can cozy up to the story of Burt Munro together. I really liked The World's Fastest Indian (even though I watched it alone).
Movie Review: This movie should be in everyones collection!
Summary: 5 Stars
What blows my mind is that you can open any paper on just about any given day and read about how Hollywood is losing money and the stars are taking pay cuts. Could it be because movies these days are banal trash?? I'm a total movie buff just heard about this one by accident (1 year after it's release!)...I bought it last week and must say without reservation that this is in my opinion one of the finest, most uplifting movies ever made. Based on a real guy who took everything (even disappointment) in stride and stayed positive even when things looked their bleakest. My husband and I went through half a box of tissue between us and found ourselves applauding and cheering out loud every time something went Burt's way.
SPOILER ALERT! This movie has no sex scenes, no swearing, no blood or guts, no explosions, no special effects, no insanely overblown soundtrack and absolutely zero chance of becoming the hottest new X-Box game. If that's what you're into you'll probably hate this movie....but to you I say try it--you just might fall in love (and find your standards raised in the process).
If you are sick of the garbage cranked out by Hollywood on a weekly basis I highly recommend this film. I find it disheartening that something like this receives virtually no press what so ever, yet you can't turn on the TV without hearing the praises of the latest "Jackass" movie sung ad nausium. To put my money where my mouth is every single person on my Christmas list is getting a copy of this DVD this year...if the producers see that it's popular even though not heralded (and if they make money) maybe we'll start seeing more of this kind of film. Vote with your money folks.....
Movie Review: LIVE THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM....NEVER TO OLD TO BEGIN
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an amazing movie based on the later life of Burt Munroe, a New Zealand middle-aged dude who loves his vintage Indian motorcycle and soups it up with his home-made systems to become yes, the fastest Indian ever...he actually ships it to Utah in the 60's and runs the Salt Flats -- against all odds he sets the land speed records...Anthony Hopkins is warmer than usual and adds a depth and humanity to the character he deserves....The other characters are good too...reminds me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance because so much time and direction is spent on the details of the movie-- getting the Indian ready, shipping it...retrofitting it...tinkering with it...the Indian motorcycle becomes both the protagonist and the antagonist in this film...it has a great look and offers lots of excitement...surprisingly it's not maudlin or overly emotional because Hopkins has a controlled enthusiasm to his role ...the director also did the documentary on this New Zealand-hero... a self-made man...who knows no limits...supposedly Burt ran the flats at age 60 and came back for more than dozen years to set new records....just getting to the states in those days was a trip...and the Flats well.....racing there was no NASCAR event-- it was a cowboy affair....maybe a bit slow to start and a bit too long...but well worth the watching....I also went back and listened to the voiceover by the director and saw the various outtakes on the DVD -- now that my pals is absolutely worth it....this was a labor of love for all involved....filmed in New Zealand in Burt's small home town....a great family movie for all ages from kids to grandparents....men and women will love it too.Movie Review: Too Bad More People Didn't See This Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
If this movie had been released by a major studio, Anthony Hopkins would have received an Academy Award nomination. It's like he crawled inside Burt Munro's skin and made the character his own. Rather than a simpleton, as some reviewers have characterized Munro, you have to see the man in the context of the 60s. He came from a relatively unsophisticated country where there are more sheep than people - and where people are supposed to care about their fellow man. And it was that willingness to accept his fellow man (or transvestite as the case may be) and the expectation that his fellow man would extend the same courtesy to him that makes this movie work.
I found it completely plausible that the motorcyle gang that would want to test their mettle against Burt in one moment, would be the first in line to donate 'beer money' when they learned he was off to Bonneville to race his bike.
Similarly I could see that the well-financed commercial team members would look upon Burt as a pitiful figure, but also see in him a reminder of why they got involved in time trial racing at places like Bonneville in the first place. There is a difference between innocence & naivete and being a simpleton, and IMO Hopkin's character never crosses that line.
The movie is as much a characer study than an action movie, so while it takes a bit to get moving, it's worth the wait. And certainly I'll never be inclined to tell a neighbor to mow the lawn again.
This is a damned good movie, that even non-bikers will appreciate.
Movie Review: Super Kiwi and a superb film
Summary: 5 Stars
From Adolf Hitler to Richard Nixon to Burt Munro. Is there any role that Anthony Hopkins cannot play? Seemingly not, judging by his marvellous performance as the self-effacing New Zealander, Munro, whose world motorcyle records, set as an old man visiting the US in the 1960s, still stand.
After seeing Hopkins performing as the great and powerful figures mentioned above, his role in this film really is a change of pace for the Welsh-born actor whose performance as a folksy, homespun Kiwi in America, in the winter of his life, endears him to everyone. In fact, the international bonhomie, respect and affection between Americans and the decent old man from the Land of the Long White Cloud is one of the endearing aspects of this NZ produced and directed film - and generally it is true that Americans, Aussies, Kiwis and Canadians do rub along together rather well.
Certainly in this film bikies, neighbours, cops, transvestites, car salesmen, widows, and the racing fraternity all end up helping Burt. The latter's officials bend a few rules so that Burt can compete on the salt plains of Utah on his beloved Indian bike. The 'can-do nation' provided Burt the chance to realise his dreams and show what he could do. When he goes crashing through all the records, in his type, there is a marvellous line, from one cheering American spectator, about him retuning back to whatever planet he came from!
Filmed in NZ, Utah, and appropriately New Mexico (the land of enchantment), this film simply is enchanting. Watch it.