The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
Director: Roger Donaldson
Writer: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Iain Rea
Genre: Biography Drama
Premise
(spoiler free): A heart warming biography of a New Zealand man, Burt Munru (Anthony Hopkins) and his life long dream of setting a land speed record on his 1920 Indian Scout. A motorcycle that he modified on a shoe string budget for high speed racing, over many years.
Review: Don't think this is a 'racing' movie it's not. It's based on a real and very colorful person Burt Munru, aptly played by Anthony Hopkins. Most of the film shows Burt trying to get his home made racing motorcycle from a small New Zealand town, to the dry salt lake beds of Bonneville Flats. The film takes place in 1962.
When I watched this movie I thought for sure the character was made more lively for the movies. After watching it, I seen a documentary on the real Burt Munru and was impressed with just how much of the real man ends up in the film. Many of the colorful sayings spoken by Anthony Hopkins were said word for word by the real Burt Munru. Burt really was this gun-ho.
The movie shows us a panacea of scenes from 1962. We go from a small quaint town in New Zealand, to the colorful Sunset strip of Hollywood, to tiny road side diners and finally ending up at Bonneville for Speed Week.
If you love true to life, colorful characters and road trips, you'll love this movie. If you want to see some vintage 1960s racing at Bonneville, it's here to. If you want to see a rewarding, well made film,
The World's Fastest Indian, might just be the ticket.
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