Film: The World’s Fastest Indian
Cast includes: Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs)
Writing/direction: Roger Donaldson (Thirteen Days, No Way Out)
Genre: Biographical drama (2005)
In brief: The 1920 Indian Scout hardly looks like a motorcycle by today’s standards, but it’s the holy grail to a serious enthusiast. As The World’s Fastest Indian begins we see shelves and shelves of broken parts with a sign that says, “Offerings to the Gods of Speed.” It’s the mid 1960s, and Burt Munro is still trying to perfect his Indian Scout so he can take her to America to for the trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Bert is somewhat of a legend in Invercargill, New Zealand… the crazy man who lives in a garage working all the time on his strange motorcycle… which he says is the fastest in the world. He tells his young neighbor, “You live more in five minutes going flat out than most people live in a lifetime.” When the Scout is finally ready, Burt finds that the trip is beyond his financial means. As his dream is about to slip away, a friend helps him find a way. But getting aboard a freighter bound for America is only the beginning of Burt’s many challenges…
Roger Donaldson, the writer and director, met and became enchanted with Burt Munro when he did a documentary on him in the mid 70s. Since that time he has wanted to capture Burt’s story in a movie. It’s hard to think what more to say without giving away too much about the ending. But I can say that Burt has a soft-spoken, warm personality unlike anyone you’ve ever known. His way of meeting challenges is totally unique. Even if you do know the ending, the experience of getting there is well worthwhile. And I’ll add… I believe this is one of the best acting performance I’ve seen from Anthony Hopkins.
4 popped kernels
Popped kernels for a totally charming main character... played wonderfully by Anthony H. Loved all the characters. Excellent script.
