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The World's Fastest Indian [2005] | ![The World's Fastest Indian [2005]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KHTKBEHVL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Roger Donaldson
Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Todd Emerson, Phoebe Falconer, Tim Farmer, Diane Ladd
Studio: Warner Home Video (Icon)
Category: DVD
List Price: £17.99
Buy Used: £14.99
You Save: £3.00 (17%)
New (3) Used (1) from £14.99
Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 2326
Format: Pal
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 127 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 7321900800822
ASIN: B000FIGF38
Theatrical Release Date: 2005
Release Date: July 3, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Viewed once
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
A movie that exudes affection and goodwill, The World's Fastest Indian is an unabashed mash note to a lovely character from New Zealand's recent past. Burt Munro, played by Anthony Hopkins, is a cantankerous Kiwi with an obsession: he's been tinkering with his 1920s-era Indian brand motorcycle for years, pushing it to ever-faster speeds. It's the 1960s, and Burt has the utterly mad idea of taking the bike to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, site of world records for speed racing. The movie takes a while to get to the journey--and then the journey takes a while--but the genial atmosphere prevails. (People of a certain age, for whom the word "Bonneville" evokes pleasant associations with hotrods and world-speed records, will not be disappointed in the film's location shooting, or its sense of awe.) Hopkins is not quite on-the-money casting for the jovial, happy-go-lucky Munro, and his accent wavers, but he nails the emotional scenes and the fascination with speed. Smaller bits are well-filled by Diane Ladd and Christopher Lawford (son of Peter), who looks uncannily of the era. New Zealand director Roger Donaldson doesn't take any chances here, but the story clearly means something to him, and that sense of commitment carries the film through its sleepier moments. --Robert Horton
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
Fantastic, moving, funny and featuring one of Hopkins' best performances May 1, 2006
oliraceking (London, UK)
46 out of 47 found this review helpful
I was lucky enough to see this film at the one cinema in the country that showed it. I couldn't believe that such a family friendly and feel good film was given the shoulder by the distributors. It cost $25m to make so I cannot imagine why there was no general release for it. Certainly the audience I was with REALLY enjoyed it. Hopefully this DVD will find the audience it deserves.
There are many reasons why this film is great. Firstly, the "true" story of Kiwi Burt Monro - one of life's innocents, dropping all and heading off to the Salt Lake flats, is really an inspiring and moving one. I suspect that the incidents that happened on his journey have been dreamt up for the film, but we can forgive them for it. As a racer myself, I recognised the atmosphere there is at an event, with all the signing on, scruitineering, the adrenalin, the people etc.
Secondly, the script is very good. Burt Monro has some wonderful one liners, and the many characters that greet him on his long journey are interesting and show us more about Monro's character each time. This is the kind of film where you know the ending, but it's the journey and the small details that make it a delight.
Thirdly, the locations are awesome. I love road movies that travel the beautiful locations of America, and here you get the fantastic vistas, but of course with Burt pounding through them on his motorbike. The direction and the music, the thematic material and the shot in the arm the film gives you is really something - and there's one final element to congratulate for it...
Anthony Hopkins. Since his big Hollywood break Hopkins was on a roll. Then he started drifting towards the typical Hollywood roles that didn't suit his talents. And in recent years his creditability was at it's lowest ever, thanks to rubbish like Instinct, MI:II and Bad Company. I assumed he'd given up 'acting' for the easy paycheck. However, in this film he delivers what is probably one of his best ever performances, easily his best since 1994. He totally inhabbits the character, and he does what he does best - SHOW us the character in the small moments, and not repeat mannerisms. According to Kiwis his accent is particularly good, which was always a challenge for Hopkins. Had this film had more fanfare upon release he would have easily gotten an Oscar nomination, without a doubt. If his career goes back to below par as it was before this, we can be glad at least that he gave us the character of Burt Monro.
The World's Fastest Indian will not appeal to the ultra-cynical of person, but it should be an entertaining and uplifting experience to those who are able to give it attention. The film's message is simple: Life doesn't have to be as bad as people make out. Honesty's good. Being genuine is good. To me, this film is both of those things.
hopkins at his best July 6, 2006
James R. Barker
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
I first heard about this film from some biker friends and decided to see what the fuss was about. I was slightly confused at first at who the "indian" was but soon discovered it was the motorbike belonging to Burt Munro (Hopkins). From then on i was captured by this old gentlemans charisma and excentricity. The film was directed by a man who knew Burt Munro personnally and has given Munro an epitaph to be proud of. Hopkins plays Munro so well that by the end of the film you will believe that you know Burt intimatly. This quirky old gent had a dream to see how fast his "indian scout" motorbike would go, not to brake records not to race but simply a passion. The only place on earth Burt can achieve his dream is to take himself and the "indian" on a trip half way round the world to Utah salt flats in america for speed week to time his bike. His trip is not lavished up by big budget stunts but simply tells his story to reach his dream. Everyone he touches he befriends by being himself and honest and by the end of the film i was willing him on. Sadly only once in a while do films like this come along, but with such a small budget by todays terms (35 mil) this film was not shown in too many cinemas world wide, but i urge you if you love true storys and enjoy hopkins at his best you cannot go much wrong to watch this "indian" journey of life.
The World's Fastest Indian May 30, 2006
G. M. Collins (Wigginton, Nr. TRING, HERTS United Kingdom)
40 out of 42 found this review helpful
I saw 'The World's Fastest Indian' at the local cinema in Berkhamsted, Herts. Without a doubt it was the best film I have seen for twenty five years. It made me laugh, sit on the edge of my seat, and get very emotionally involved.
For once the Americans were not the stars and history was not being rewritten. Anthony Hopkins plays the part of a real man who had great asperations and an almost niave belief in the goodness of people, an attitude which helped him to achieve his goal after a series of setbacks that would have daunted most folk.
In a word, brilliant. I can't wait to see it again on DVD.
Unexpected gem May 10, 2007
Dodster (UK)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Sometimes dvd's arrive and you wonder 'why did I put this on my list?' This is a case in point. Particularly when I discovered it involved motorbikes. Or one motorbike in particular. But, having rented it I decided to watch it.
Am I glad I did. This is a real gem. The story of Burt Munro and his dream to time trial his old bike on the Utah salt flats.
What makes the story, is the charm of old Burt (Anthony Hopkins) and the relationships he forges on the way to making his dream come true.
What I would call a real old fashioned type of movie.
Kept my two teenagers captivated for it's duration, and my daughter runs a mile at car or bike programmes on the tv.
Take a chance and watch this. You'll not regret it.
"What are you staring at? Dirty old men need love, too." June 25, 2006
M. J Leonard (Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA United States)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
It's amazing that Anthony Hopkin's bravura performance in The World's Fastest Indian didn't merit more of an Oscar consideration. The movie features one of Hopkin's all time great performances. One can only wonder why the Academy overlooked this small gem of a movie when it was released in theatres.
Although only occasionally trite - which may be a bit much for some viewers - there is a real nail-biting suspense as we witness the eccentric New Zealander Burt Munro (Hopkins) travel to America with his soaped up 1920's Indian motorcycle in the hopes of breaking the world's land-speed record in 1967 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah
The movie is great entertainment, beautifully directed by Roger Donaldson and features Mr. Hopkins in an endearingly gruff and off-kilter performance that is sure to win both hearts and minds. Bert is determined not to let his infirmities deter him from achieving his dreams - he has a bad "ticker" and prostate problems - and he lives in the pretty isolated southern New Zealand town of Invercargil.
Bert's a crusty old guy with a big dream, endlessly tinkering in the garage of his eyesore of a home and drinking tea with an adoring young neighbor (a very cute Aaron Murphy). He's obsessed and absentminded and his neighbors are exasperated by his unmowed lawn and all the early morning hammering, but there's something magical about him too, and when he sets out on his journey, working his passage in a steamer, he ends up getting a teary send-off.
Armed only with naivete and good-natured optimism, he meets a variety of eccentric characters along the way - including a kindly drag queen, a latino used car salesman, a lonely lady who invites him into her bed, a fresh-faced soldier on leave from Vietnam and a real live Indian who helps Bert out on the road and gives him a natural remedy for his prostate problems. There's something to be said for this charming senior - and enthusiastic lover - who overcomes one obstacle after another to go an impossible distance.
Upon reaching the Utah racing ground, Burt is faced with seemingly intractable obstacles. It looks as though bureaucracy is going to get the better of him - the official registration date was months earlier, and his motorcycle has none of the required safety features. But with the help of Jim Moffet (Chris Lawford), a gracious and kindly biker who's on good terms with the officials, the rules are bent, and Burt is allowed to race.
Donaldson directs this ironic, inspirational allegory without a single gimmicky, phony or contrived moment and the 60's period recreation is beautifully done. Hopkins is all-natural, really nailing the New Zealand accent - and in the process proves that it's all about watching the joy of a man who has nothing left to prove. It's a charismatic and entirely internalized performance that sneaks up on you to deliver an enriching life lesson that it's important to live life to the fullest and to follow your dreams. Mike Leonard June 06.
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