The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

[Stephen Speicher 0]

imdb.com listing for The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

Movie suggested for rating by Stephen Speicher

[Stephen Speicher 0]

A delightful film that deserves some word-of-mouth. Not great filmmaking, but an enjoyable movie with an inspiring story. Anthony Hopkins' acting is, as per his usual, great, in his role of Burt Munro and his quest for the land speed record in class.

[Lu Norton 0]

A delightful film that deserves some word-of-mouth.

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And your word of wisdom has reached me and my husband.

I always read The Forum’s Movie Ratings and Reviews’ threads prior to watching a movie. And I’m glad that Stephen suggested this movie. It is a very benevolent and lighthearted movie. The main character has a very optimistic view of life. His determination to succeed is very inspiring. Of course, Anthony Hopkins, add flavor to this movie.

[Ed from OC 0]

Wow! I really got into this movie. Anthony Hopkins does an excellent job. His character here reminds me of the guy he played in The Edge.

I was very conscious of my self-restraint driving home... I REALLY wanted to go too fast!

[PhilO 0]

Warning: There are spoilers about this movie in this post.

I enjoyed this movie quite a bit. When Anthony Hopkins is given a good role with a good script, it's really a pleasure to see his acting. My main disappointment with the movie is that there isn't much focus on the specifics of his mechanical tinkering, and how he really gets a bike that had a stock factory top speed around 50 mph (as stated in the movie) to the 200+ mph speed demon at the end. But it's enjoyable to see his very independent and benevolent character, and his single minded determination of decades to clock his creation in the Utah salt flats.

[Stephen Speicher 0]

Warning: There are spoilers about this movie in this post.

I enjoyed this movie quite a bit. When Anthony Hopkins is given a good role with a good script, it's really a pleasure to see his acting. My main disappointment with the movie is that there isn't much focus on the specifics of his mechanical tinkering, and how he really gets a bike that had a stock factory top speed around 50 mph (as stated in the movie) to the 200+ mph speed demon at the end.

I think it was said to be 60 mph in the movie, but I could be wrong. Regardless, I think they did a marvelous job of illustrating the essence of the changes made to the bike. Remember, he is after top speed, not how quickly he gets there. What he needs is steady acceleration, and streamlining.

The movie clearly showed how Hopkin's character, Burt Munro, cast and finished his own parts for the motor, presumably reducing friction and enhancing the output from his own design. And the care and attention to the aerodynamics was also clearly demonstrated, Munro being sensitive to every little detail. This is, after all, a movie and not an automotive clinic, and I think they provided a plausible and insightful scenario of technical achievement, integrate very well into the action.

For more detail of Munro's accomplishment, there was a documentary made on him and his achievement, and there is much written in tribute. For me, the movie presented just the right amount of technical detail.

[PhilO 0]

The movie clearly showed how Hopkin's character, Burt Munro, cast and finished his own parts for the motor, presumably reducing friction and enhancing the output from his own design. And the care and attention to the aerodynamics was also clearly demonstrated, Munro being sensitive to every little detail. This is, after all, a movie and not an automotive clinic, and I think they provided a plausible and insightful scenario of technical achievement, integrate very well into the action.

Yes, the most explicit attention was paid to his efforts at trying new piston castings (with the amusing "metallic tasting" tea made from quench-water of the castings.) I guess I wished that they'd spent more time on those kind of details and a bit less on some of the details of his trip after arriving in America, but it's a matter of taste. We do see the aerodynamic hulls around the bike as a finished product but, at least as I recall it, nothing on how he got there. There's the cute scene where he cuts rubber from the tires with his young apprentice's mother's best kitchen knife, which later relates to his problems passing inspection, where he comments that the tires can take 300 mph and he'd cast them himself. The impression is that this is no longer really an "Indian" motorcycle but practically his own new machine. I would have liked to have seen more of that process, because it would have focused more on the relationship between the inventor's determination and difficulties, and the desired end product. In any case I was glad that I saw the movie.

[Thales 0]

I decided to rent this movie based on recommendations here.

I'll sum it up this way, the story was quirky, yet charming and inspiring, all-in-all a unique but worth-while experience. I give it a solid 8. They did focus more on his personal relationships than the nuts-and-bolts of his job, but it was clear the nuts-and-bolts of his job were his passion and it was clear that he loved people and that people loved him.

Warning: Spoilers below.

While it was based on a true story, I’m incredulous that anyone could be that naïve with respect to others. Munro was overly trusting of others. Also, during his trip to the U.S. he met quite a few off-beat people, not too realistic in my estimation, but for the sake of the story it did make for an interesting journey. His benevolent approach toward others and his powerful determination to set the speed record set the tone.