Customer Reviews

The World's Fastest Indian [DVD]

5 star:		(104)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I saw 'The World's Fastest Indian' at the local cinema in Berkhamsted, Herts. Without a doubt it was the best film I have seen for twenty five years. It made me laugh, sit on the edge of my seat, and get very emotionally involved.

For once the Americans were not the stars and history was not being rewritten. Anthony Hopkins plays the part of a real man who had great asperations and an almost niave belief in the goodness of people, an attitude which helped him to achieve his goal after a series of setbacks that would have daunted most folk.

In a word, brilliant. I can't wait to see it again on DVD.

I was lucky enough to see this film at the one cinema in the country that showed it. I couldn't believe that such a family friendly and feel good film was given the shoulder by the distributors. It cost $25m to make so I cannot imagine why there was no general release for it. Certainly the audience I was with REALLY enjoyed it. Hopefully this DVD will find the audience it deserves.

There are many reasons why this film is great. Firstly, the "true" story of Kiwi Burt Monro - one of life's innocents, dropping all and heading off to the Salt Lake flats, is really an inspiring and moving one. I suspect that the incidents that happened on his journey have been dreamt up for the film, but we can forgive them for it. As a racer myself, I recognised the atmosphere there is at an event, with all the signing on, scruitineering, the adrenalin, the people etc.

Secondly, the script is very good. Burt Monro has some wonderful one liners, and the many characters that greet him on his long journey are interesting and show us more about Monro's character each time. This is the kind of film where you know the ending, but it's the journey and the small details that make it a delight.

Thirdly, the locations are awesome. I love road movies that travel the beautiful locations of America, and here you get the fantastic vistas, but of course with Burt pounding through them on his motorbike. The direction and the music, the thematic material and the shot in the arm the film gives you is really something - and there's one final element to congratulate for it...

Anthony Hopkins. Since his big Hollywood break Hopkins was on a roll. Then he started drifting towards the typical Hollywood roles that didn't suit his talents. And in recent years his creditability was at it's lowest ever, thanks to rubbish like Instinct, MI:II and Bad Company. I assumed he'd given up 'acting' for the easy paycheck. However, in this film he delivers what is probably one of his best ever performances, easily his best since 1994. He totally inhabbits the character, and he does what he does best - SHOW us the character in the small moments, and not repeat mannerisms. According to Kiwis his accent is particularly good, which was always a challenge for Hopkins. Had this film had more fanfare upon release he would have easily gotten an Oscar nomination, without a doubt. If his career goes back to below par as it was before this, we can be glad at least that he gave us the character of Burt Monro.

The World's Fastest Indian will not appeal to the ultra-cynical of person, but it should be an entertaining and uplifting experience to those who are able to give it attention. The film's message is simple: Life doesn't have to be as bad as people make out. Honesty's good. Being genuine is good. To me, this film is both of those things.

I first heard about this film from some biker friends and decided to see what the fuss was about. I was slightly confused at first at who the "indian" was but soon discovered it was the motorbike belonging to Burt Munro (Hopkins). From then on i was captured by this old gentlemans charisma and excentricity. The film was directed by a man who knew Burt Munro personnally and has given Munro an epitaph to be proud of. Hopkins plays Munro so well that by the end of the film you will believe that you know Burt intimatly. This quirky old gent had a dream to see how fast his "indian scout" motorbike would go, not to brake records not to race but simply a passion. The only place on earth Burt can achieve his dream is to take himself and the "indian" on a trip half way round the world to Utah salt flats in america for speed week to time his bike. His trip is not lavished up by big budget stunts but simply tells his story to reach his dream. Everyone he touches he befriends by being himself and honest and by the end of the film i was willing him on. Sadly only once in a while do films like this come along, but with such a small budget by todays terms (35 mil) this film was not shown in too many cinemas world wide, but i urge you if you love true storys and enjoy hopkins at his best you cannot go much wrong to watch this "indian" journey of life.

Sometimes dvd's arrive and you wonder 'why did I put this on my list?' This is a case in point. Particularly when I discovered it involved motorbikes. Or one motorbike in particular. But, having rented it I decided to watch it.

Am I glad I did. This is a real gem. The story of Burt Munro and his dream to time trial his old bike on the Utah salt flats.

What makes the story, is the charm of old Burt (Anthony Hopkins) and the relationships he forges on the way to making his dream come true.

What I would call a real old fashioned type of movie.

Kept my two teenagers captivated for it's duration, and my daughter runs a mile at car or bike programmes on the tv.

Take a chance and watch this. You'll not regret it.

A wonderful tale - and basically a true story - of a man's quest to become the fastest chap on two wheels and his adventure achieving that.

A fine cast throughout but Hopkins steals the film. I have never seen him perform better than this: superb acting and great direction make this a very moving film - it had me in tears anyway.

Buy it and watch it. Then buy one for christmas for all your friends.

I read that Hopkins considers this his finest film, and it is hard to disagree. It is a feelgood movie of the old-fashioned school, where the characters and the story are allowed to develop slowly and simply. I was enchanted.

I heard about this film some time ago, but thought 'oh. god, motorcycles'. Wished I hadn't waited so long to see it, I can't understand why it wasn't publicised more at the time of its release.
Anthony Hopkins is superb, his acting is on a par with his performance in Shadowlands, which I thought at the time he couldn't surpass
What an uplifting film, it bought a tear to my eye. It makes me wish I could have met Burt Munro, what a character he must have been. A film that can be watched over and over again and one that I think most generations would enjoy.

Put this on at the weekend expecting at best that it would pass a post x factor saturday evening. Turns out that the film was stunning at all sorts of levels. We really enjoyed it. Certainly a return to form for Hopkins and a real feel good experience.

All previous reviews here are 100% correct.
Wonderful film. I doubt that Anthony Hopkins has ever given a finer performance. This is one of the most charming and engaging films I've seen in years. If ever there was an oscar category for "The best overlooked film we should have honoured last year"
This is it!!!!!!!

It can be very hard to find a film to watch these days without sex, violence and swearing as well as leaving you on the edge of your seat willing for the ending you want!!! We didn't know the end of this film when we watched it and my husband thought one way whilst I was crossing my fingers for another ending! We thought it was a brilliant film enhanced by Anthony Hopkins (main reason we picked it!)A really good film that will have you rooting for the end you hope will come......