The Worlds Fastest Indian Review
"All my life Ive wanted to do something big... something bigger and better than all the other jokers"
Burt Munro
The World’s Fastest Indian is the stunning new film from NZ director Roger Donaldson. Anthony Hopkins stars as Burt Munro... the Southland motorcycle legend who rode his modified classic bike into the history books, against all odds. After a lifetime spent perfecting his Indian Scout motorcycle, Burt set a new land speed record in 1967 at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah at almost 185mph and had unofficial but timed speeds of 201mph on other visits. It’s a record that remains unbroken to this day. On Tuesday the 30th of August I went to a special invite only screening of TWFI. After beer, wine and appetizers and having been instructed in no uncertain terms to switch off all cell phones and cameras for obvious reasons, the movie began. Even though I nearly fell over in despair when I saw a WLA parked outside the movie doors and not an Injin, that wasn't going to deter me for long as I had been pumped with anticipation all day.. I wasn't to be disappointed except when it ended two hours later, I didn't want it too end at all!.
In two words here's what everyone thought of it... "bloody awesome mate" okay three words then. Really I was quite taken by it. Okay maybe I'm a little biased having a soft spot for Burt (see other links above) AND being an Indian freak AND mad passionate kiwi but "The Worlds Fastest Indian" was funny, touching, meaningful, inspirational and visually captivating even if you have never heard of an Indian motorcycle or the bonneville salt flats before. Anthony Hopkins did an outstanding job portraying Burt and even 'rolled his R's' well in the accent, something only the true Southlandlers possess. (Southlanders, of which I originally am one, are folks from the bottom quarter of the South Island of New Zealand). During the more touching scenes in of the movie and theres several, I observed many a shiny eye in the audience and
Burt Munro
The World’s Fastest Indian is the stunning new film from NZ director Roger Donaldson. Anthony Hopkins stars as Burt Munro... the Southland motorcycle legend who rode his modified classic bike into the history books, against all odds. After a lifetime spent perfecting his Indian Scout motorcycle, Burt set a new land speed record in 1967 at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah at almost 185mph and had unofficial but timed speeds of 201mph on other visits. It’s a record that remains unbroken to this day. On Tuesday the 30th of August I went to a special invite only screening of TWFI. After beer, wine and appetizers and having been instructed in no uncertain terms to switch off all cell phones and cameras for obvious reasons, the movie began. Even though I nearly fell over in despair when I saw a WLA parked outside the movie doors and not an Injin, that wasn't going to deter me for long as I had been pumped with anticipation all day.. I wasn't to be disappointed except when it ended two hours later, I didn't want it too end at all!.
In two words here's what everyone thought of it... "bloody awesome mate" okay three words then. Really I was quite taken by it. Okay maybe I'm a little biased having a soft spot for Burt (see other links above) AND being an Indian freak AND mad passionate kiwi but "The Worlds Fastest Indian" was funny, touching, meaningful, inspirational and visually captivating even if you have never heard of an Indian motorcycle or the bonneville salt flats before. Anthony Hopkins did an outstanding job portraying Burt and even 'rolled his R's' well in the accent, something only the true Southlandlers possess. (Southlanders, of which I originally am one, are folks from the bottom quarter of the South Island of New Zealand). During the more touching scenes in of the movie and theres several, I observed many a shiny eye in the audience and