The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

Director:

Roger Donaldson

Writer:

Roger Donaldson (written by)

Release Date:

13 October 2005 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

Based On One Hell Of A True Story

Plot:

The life story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle -- a bike which helped him set the land-speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.

Plot Keywords:

Indian | Makeshift | Bonneville Salt Flats | Motorcycle | New Zealand

Awards:

10 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Burt Munro
Iain Rea	...	George
Tessa Mitchell	...	Sarah
Aaron Murphy	...	Tom
Tim Shadbolt	...	Frank
Annie Whittle	...	Fran
Greg Johnson	...	Duncan
Antony Starr	...	Jeff
Kate Sullivan	...	Doris
Craig Hall	...	Antarctic Angel
Jim Bowman	...	Cook
Alison Bruce	...	Doctor
Phoebe Falconer	...	Janice
Charles Pierard	...	Bank Manager
Barry Ryan	...	Burt's Neighbour

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief language, drug use and a sexual reference.

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

New Zealand | USA | Switzerland | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

Brazil:18 | Ireland:PG | USA:PG-13 | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Sweden:Btl | Netherlands:AL | Singapore:PG | Hong Kong:IIA | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/12 | UK:12A

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

2929 Productions

Trivia:

Many of Burt Munro's tools and props from his tool shed are kept for posterity in a hardware store in Invercargill. These, as well as small pieces of costume such as one of Munro's ties on loan from his son, were used by Anthony Hopkins to add to his character's authenticity.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the scene in which Burt and the Indian are caught speeding by the state trooper, skid marks created by the cruiser in other takes are clearly visible in at least one shot.

Quotes:

Burt Munro: If you don't go when you want to go, when you do go, you'll find you've gone.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kingdom of the Vampire (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

You Are My Sunshine

I never thought I would cry

It's a good thing I took my wife, because as all men know the only way not to cry is to look over at your wife/girlfriend and make fun of them for crying.

Seriously, I am a motorcycle aficionado but I truly think this movie transcends that. It's not a "guy's film" at all but a serious look at the life of a man that was average by his own reckoning - by ours he's a hero. When you find yourself looking at that and saying "I would have quit" and it was only the beginning of the movie, well, that's some tough stock Burt Munro came from.

And it's not tedious, not an uphill struggle all the way against insurmountable odds, none of those clichés. It's a great movie about a real guy and I can't imagine someone watching it and not being entertained, moved, and frankly, impressed.