Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: World's Fastest Indian

This is topic World's Fastest Indian in forum Film Handlers' Movie Reviews at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Warren Smyth (Member # 1838) on 11-10-2005, 07:42 AM:

The Indian is a 1920s motor cycle and this film is about Burt Munro who, in the fifties set out to break the world land speed record on the salt flats of Utah.

Roger Donaldson met Anthony Hopkins again many years after a strained relationship when they made the Bounty. In fact, they hadn't spoken since. After hearing the true story of Munro from Donaldson, Hopkins decided he would like to play the leading role and so the two men began working on The World's Fastest Indian. Donaldson had some years earlier made a documentary on the subject when Munro was still alive.

A rather eccentric but determined home engineer living in one of the smallest countries of the world, Munro sets out with a home modified Indian motorcycle to be the fastest man on salt on two wheels. The film is not just for petrol heads, in fact I have yet to meet any woman who hasn't loved it. The relationship between Munro and Americans, with contrasting cultures, when he arrives in the USA is just wonderful. It's really very funny but the film is sensitive to a man who had a passion and who many might have regarded as mad.

The result is a film which is doing exceptionally well in New Zealand. I enjoyed it more than any other that has come out of this country, but then I'm not a rings fan. If I were to fault it, I feel that it ends a little too abruptly, but then it's not too bad if a film leaves you wanting more. I just hope Americans will understand the accent on which Hopkins worked really hard to perfect, using the documentary on Munro as a guide. By the way, if you are a petrol head, don't miss it.