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| The World's Fastest Indian |
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List Price: $26.98
Buy New: $12.87
You Save: $14.11 (52%)
Buy New/Used from $12.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 51 reviews)
Sales Rank: 2
Category: DVD
Director: Roger Donaldson
Publisher: Magnolia
Studio: Magnolia
Manufacturer: Magnolia
Label: Magnolia
Format: Color, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 127 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 876964000260
EAN: 0876964000260
ASIN: B000F8DBDK
Release Date: June 13, 2006 (New: Last 30 Days)
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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 46 more reviews...
This blade of grass will not fade away. June 20, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I would expect that Anthony Hopkins can pick and choose his roles in the motion picture industry. The producers of this film were fortunate he did this one. Hopkins plays Burt Munro with such detail it's amazing. This DVD includes a film documentary of the real Burt Munro and you will see what I'm talking about. In this era of high tech computer generated graphics it was a delight watching a film about a simple man who distroyed all paradyns. Instead of sitting and waiting for old age to take hold, Munro embrassed it and went on with his dream. These are the things good films are all about. It doesn't take multi-million dollar computer generated graphics or a cast of high profile actors. All it takes is a simple story about a simple man with a heart as big as Texas. This is truly a film all the family can enjoy.
One of the Best of 2006 June 20, 2006
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm not a big fan of cutesy, "goal movies" as I call them. You know what I'm talking about? The movies about the guy who has a goal and ends up reaching it at the end. Yeah, I don't like those movies. But this is truly a spectacular movie, that's not only one of the best movies I've seen in 2006 so far; but it's also inspiring and just a purely wonderful film.
Academy Award Winner Anthony Hopkins (Best Actor, Silence of the Lambs) plays Burt Munro, a New Zealand man who longs to race his Indian Motorcycle and set the record for fastest bike. After getting help from neighbors and fellow New Zealanders, Burt gets enough money to go to Los Angeles from where he will travel to Utah. This movie blends in strange road movie, so we have Burt meeting several colorful characters (including a transvestite at one point).
I can't really say more without ruining the movie, although you probably have figured out what happened at the end. I'd never heard of Burt Munro before seeing this movie, but Hopkins does an amazing job of portraying him. Hopkins makes this character so loveable and so cool, you want the guy to succeed. The racing scenes are incredibly spectacular and exciting, and this is a movie you can show to your entire family. The movie is entertaining throughout and never dull, so if you enjoyed movies like Cinderella Man or the like, you should be satisfied with this.
GRADE: A+
A Beautiful, Touching, Entertaining Tale of Dreams and Aging June 19, 2006
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
It seems many viewers avoided this film when it was in the theaters because the title was confusing and not representative of the story. The fact that Sir Anthony Hopkins was the lead actor should have been a signal of sorts, but it took the release of the DVD for this viewer to reluctantly rent the film when other possibilities were low. Big Mistake! This is one of the more genuinely fine films about the idomitability of the human spirit that has been released in some time.
Based on a true story, the 'Indian' of the title has nothing to do with the heritage of the character Burt Munro, a 67 year old odd but generously kind New Zealander whose lifelong passion is to race his 1923 'Indian motorbike' in the Bonneville Salt Flats Races in America. Burt lives for his dreams and despite the fact that his idiosyncrasies befuddle his neighbors and townsfolk (with the except of the little boy Tom next door who idolizes him), he manages to make everyone with whom he comes into contact admire, and yes, love him. Using his own skills he brings his old motorbike to the point that he can enter the race in the States and with the financial help of his friends he manages to board a ship with his bike and sail to America. In the US he is a fish out of water and must adjust to the city life and attitudes of the Americans, but eventually, through his innate charm and dedication to his dream, he does manage against all odds and, with the help of many American new friends, enter the race to break the world's record for speed on a motorbike.
Hopkins owns the role of Burt and despite his not always on target New Zealand accent he manages to deliver surely one of his most endearing portrayals of his rich career. His encounters with Tom, with a feisty widow Ada (Diane Ladd), with a fine old wise Indian man, and with a transsexual motel clerk Tina (Chris Williams), to name only a few of the superb supporting cast - are the epitome of underplayed fine acting and engender so much warmth that tears of happiness just can't be avoided. Writer and director Roger Donaldson deserves a standing ovation for this small, sensitive, gentle, understated tale that demonstrates so well how being true to your visions and your dreams can overcome almost any obstacle. A deeply touching and completely entertaining movie. Highly Recommended for all audiences. This is one to Buy! Grady Harp, June 06
Not the best neighbor but a heck of a role model June 19, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I wouldn't want to live next door to him, after all, Burt Munro:
revs his motorcycle up in the middle of the night
urinates on his lemon tree every morning to fertilize it
and sets his lawn on fire when neighbors complain he hasn't mowed it in a long time
On the other hand, Burt knows how to live. As he says to a young protege, "I've done more living running fast on this bike than many people have in their whole lives."
He's a man with a dream. He and his 1920 Indian motorcycle are going from their home in Invercargill, New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats to break the world landspeed record. Only problem--the bike's 40 years old and Burt's ticker needs some nitro to keep it kicking.
The trip from NZ to Bonneville is quite a ride. Burt lands in what a friend calls "Hollyweird". His lovely motel clerk is a he, people don't speak English, Vietnam is in full throttle. Still, Burt takes all in stride.
This is a lovely story and one that everyone should see. I rented this film, but will probably buy it. Kudos to everyone working on this.
worth every great minute June 18, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Everyone in my family loved this movie. We saw it 3 times in the theater before buying the DVD.
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Copyright Runningonkarma.com 2006
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