The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
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A determined motorcycle racer travels to the American desert to prove his modified bike's capabilities and set a land speed record.
The story
In 1967, Burt Munro is a folk hero in New Zealand known for his modified 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle. Despite suffering a heart attack and receiving medical advice to stop riding, Munro remains determined to fulfill his lifelong dream: traveling to the United States to test his bike's capabilities at the Bonneville Speedway. His journey takes him across the ocean to Los Angeles, where he must navigate the complexities of the big city and the logistics of transporting his motorcycle. With a determined spirit, Munro overcomes various obstacles and meets several helpful people along the way as he begins his long journey toward the Utah desert to attempt a land speed record.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1967, Burt Munro is a local hero in Invercargill, New Zealand, famous for his modified 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle. Despite a heart attack and subsequent medical warnings, Munro persists in his quest to reach the Bonneville Speedway in Utah. He travels to Los Angeles, where he navigates bureaucracy and skepticism with his gregarious personality, eventually finding help from a local motel clerk and a car salesman. During his journey to Utah, he encounters various allies, including a Native American man, a woman who helps him repair his trailer, and an Air Force pilot. Upon reaching the Bonneville Salt Flats, Munro faces initial hurdles from officials regarding his registration and safety equipment. However, the support of other competitors allows him to make a run. He successfully sets a new land speed record of 201.851 mph, despite his leg being burned by the exhaust. The film concludes with an epilogue noting that Munro returned to Bonneville nine times, and his 1967 record for streamlined motorcycles under 1000cc still stands.
- First release year
- 2005
- Runtime (minutes)
- 127
- Production countries
- New Zealand
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Roger Donaldson
- Writers
- Roger Donaldson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Anthony Hopkins · Burt Munro; Diane Ladd · Ada; Paul Rodriguez · Fernando; Aaron Murphy · Tom Jackson; Tim Shadbolt · Frank; Annie Whittle · Fran; Antony Starr · Jeff; Craig Hall · Antarctic Angel; Daniel Sing · Ken; Chris Williams · Tina Washington; Saginaw Grant · Jake; Patrick John Flueger · Rusty
- Genres
- biographical; sports; drama
- Themes
- determination; perseverance; passion
- Tone and mood
- inspirational; heartwarming
- Setting
- New Zealand and the United States (specifically Los Angeles and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah) in the 1960s.
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; sports; motorcycle racing
- Source material / true-story basis
- The story of New Zealand speed bike racer Burt Munro and his highly modified 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle.
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews, particularly for Anthony Hopkins' performance, and became the highest-grossing local film in New Zealand at the time of its release.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 83% · scale: percentage · review count: 143; Metacritic · score: 68 · scale: 100 · review count: 32
- Production trivia
- Director Roger Donaldson worked on the film for over 20 years.; Many props used were actually owned by Burt Munro.; The film features a cameo by the then-Mayor of Invercargill, Tim Shadbolt.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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