The Worlds Fastest Indian

Though we may have seen movies in this genre many times before, Anthony Hopkins' performance as Burt Munro in Roger Donaldson's The World's Fastest Indian lifts the fi... more >

Though we may have seen movies in this genre many times before, Anthony Hopkins' performance as Burt Munro in Roger Donaldson's The World's Fastest Indian lifts the film to a different level and the result is irresistible. Munro was the eccentric 68-year old New Zealand cyclist who set the land speed record at Bonneville Flats, Utah of 201 mph in 1967, a record that still stands today. Hopkins portrays Munro as a charming rogue whose greatest asset was his enthusiasm and determination. Munro dreamed about being able to compete in a race to determine the world's fastest motorcycle for twenty-five years and the film chronicles his unrelenting pursuit of that goal.

While The World's Fastest Indian sounds like a typical formula exercise of the underdog fighting for glory against heavy obstacles, the film is too smart, the people too real, and Hopkins too charming to fall into that trap. Hopkins turns in one of his best performances in years, captivating us with his Kiwi accent and his sly laugh, the personification of the ordinary man fighting the system for overdo recognition. Even though we know the outcome, the racing sequences at Bonneville are exhilarating.

The film also promotes some very welcome ideas: that the power of our intention can transform our life, that there may be some goodness still left in people, and that old age can be a time of possibility, not a time to throw in the towel. This is a warm and charming film that will appeal to those who simply enjoy well made entertainment that actually delivers on its promise of making us feel good.
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Film Details

Cast

Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Saginaw Grant

Technical Details