| | The Worlds Fastest Indian | |
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Description
The life and triumph of Burt Munro, the elderly Kiwi man who, at the far from sprightly age of 68, broke motorcycle racing records in Utah, has fuelled director Roger Donaldson's creative energy for years. In the early 1970s, just a few years after Munro's incredible triumph, Donaldson directed OFFERINGS TO THE GOD OF SPEED, a documentary on the sensational senior. Here, with the help of the fine actors Anthony Hopkins and Diane Ladd, the director brings the story to vivid, dramatic life yet again, constructing a gripping and inspirational narrative. Hopkins's Munro is a rich and magnetic character, a man who wears his notable physical ailments (which include an embarrassing prostate condition and deficient eardrums) like quirky idiosyncrasies rather than debilitating defects. An active playboy, Munro is a lovable character in his small New Zealand town, an attractively unique old man with a zest for life and a love of his vintage motorcycle a bright red 1920 Indian model. After racing his own times obsessively every day, he becomes determined to live out his dream of participating in the annual Speed Week motorcycle event at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. Through local support and innovative fundraising, Munro is finally able to afford the long nautical journey across the world to Mormon-land and, beating all the incredible odds, not only enter the race but break its records with a jaw-dropping speed of 201 miles an hour. Besides telling a classic tale of individual triumph, THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN offers a sociological look at the American West of the late 1960s, an iconic landscape peppered with colourful characters that include a wizened Native American and a generous drag queen, both of whom help the eccentric elder on his quixotic quest.
The World's Fastest Indian Review
We may be used to him scaring us silly as psycho cannibal Hannibal Lecter but Sir Anthony Hopkins will certainly leave you feeling warm and fuzzy in this drama from director Roger Donaldson. Based on a true story, the film follows Bert Munro (Hopkins), an aging Kiwi who is obsessed with the idea of breaking a world land speed record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats on a rickety motorbike almost as old as he is. What follows is Bert's journey from the southern tip of New Zealand to the open plains of America and his attempt to enter the record books.
An uplifting tale of determination and one pensioner's passion not to go quietly, "The World's Fastest Indian" marks somewhat of a full circle for Donaldson. One of the first projects he ever worked on was a documentary about Bert and it's obvious that, some 30 years later, he still holds the man in high regard. Donaldson, who also penned the script, portrays Munro as a bit of a bumbling innocent as we follow him across continents but it's done with the greatest respect. He's also keen to show the positive effect Bert had on all those who met him as he made his way to Utah.
And when Bert and his bike reach Bonneville, the film really gets going. Donaldson charges the screen with some thrilling and exhilarating action as this elderly kook gets his chance to make history despite some over zealous officials. Does he succeed? That's not for us to say but this film's not really about the end result; it's about how Bert gets there and seizes life by the horns to try and fulfil his dreams.
Technical Details
Region 2
Running Time: 127 minutes
Production Year: 2005
Main Language: English
Genre: Drama
Certificate: 12 Suitable for Persons Aged 12 or Over
Directed by: Roger Donaldson
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