I have not seen this movie yet but the reviews are good.
"World's Fastest Indian": MD Movie Review
By Alex Edge
The motorcycle community has been waiting a long time for a film that accurately portrays our passionate, sometimes eccentric lifestyle to the moviegoing mainstream. Mention the words "Biker Boys" or "Torque" to a real rider, and you'll be met with a shudder and a scowl - and that's if they only saw the commercials! When I was invited to a screening of the new film "The World's Fastest Indian" last night in Beverly Hills, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
The fact that the producers wanted to screen the film specifically for us lowly motorcycle journalists was a good sign. The location (ever heard of Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills) and the involvement of a big-name star (Anthony Hopkins), however, hinted at the possibility that motorcycling might once again have been "Hollywood-ized".
After seeing the film for myself, however, I'm happy to report that nothing could be further from the truth. The basic plotline (closely based on a true story) follows New Zealander Burt Munro as he travels around the world to America with his streamlined 1920 Indian motorcycle, to fulfill his dream of running the machine on the Bonneville salt flats. Having already claimed the title of "Fastest Indian" in New Zealand and Australia, Burt hopes to "get the thing over 200 just once", and in the process lay solid claim to the title of "World's Fastest Indian".
A quick Q&A with Director Roger Donaldson following the screening revealed a few things about the film's authenticity. Donaldson was a young filmmaker and speed freak in 1971 when he first met Munro at the annual Bonneville "Speed Week". Donaldson and a friend filmed a small documentary about the amazing New Zealander, and he spent many off-camera hours listening to Burt's tales of world travel and record-setting top speed runs.
As a Bonneville fan himself (he's been to Speed Week 8 times), Donaldson knew that he didn't need any Hollywood Glam to make the salt scene interesting. The bikes in the movie are near-perfect replicas of Munro's Indian, and all the other race vehicles depicted are authentic to the time period as well. Hopkins nails down a perfect New Zealand accent while portraying Munro on-screen - Donaldson told us that Hopkins watched parts of the original documentary every morning before filming began, as a sort of training film to help him give an accurate performance.
Now that I've told you why motorcyclists will like it, let me try to pinpoint why I feel it will appeal to the general (non-motorcycling) public. Aside from being a film about a man trying to attain incredible speeds on a motorcycle (that's the part we like), "The World's Fastest Indian" is a touching depiction of a man facing down many challenges in an attempt to fulfill a lifelong dream. These many challenges included his age (Burt was in his 70s when he was riding at Bonneville), lack of funds (traveling around the world with a racebike in tow can get expensive), and his general unfamiliarity with America (the source of many of the film's most comical moments).
Whether they like motorcycles or not, anyone will find this story inspiring and even (dare I use a phrase so overused by movie reviewers that it has nearly lost its original meaning) moving. This is a motorcycle film that the whole family will enjoy, and that I can heartily recommend to all my friends as well.
If this gushy review makes me sound dumbstruck, it's because I am - I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten the chance to see this film, especially since it hasn't even been released yet in the United States! Just for reference, Donaldson mentioned that it's been the #1 film in New Zealand since it opened there 5 weeks ago.
"The World's Fastest Indian" will be released in a few theaters in New York and Los Angeles on December 9th. According to Donaldson, the film will be shown for a few weeks "in order to make it eligible for Academy consideration". It will be re-released in early February, showing at approximately 250 theaters nationwide.
Don
An entertaining motorcycle movie
Ghost Rider
Another motorcycle movie coming out in 2006 is Ghost Rider.
Plot Summary for Ghost Rider (2006)
Based on the Marvel character, stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze gives up his soul to become a hellblazing vigilante with a flaming skull on a motorcycle of hellfire...his Hell-Cycle.
Nicolas Cage .... Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider
Raquel Alessi .... Young Roxanne
Peter Fonda .... Mephisto
Don
Plot Summary for Ghost Rider (2006)
Based on the Marvel character, stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze gives up his soul to become a hellblazing vigilante with a flaming skull on a motorcycle of hellfire...his Hell-Cycle.
Nicolas Cage .... Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider
Raquel Alessi .... Young Roxanne
Peter Fonda .... Mephisto
Don
Worlds Fastest Indian
Here's some trailers for the movie Worlds Fastest Indian. Arrives in U.S. theatres 02/03/06. Already released in New Zealand and Australia.
http://www.worldsfastestindian.com/
Don
http://www.worldsfastestindian.com/
Don
Worlds Fastest Indian
After seeing the movie Worlds Fastest Indian I was curious which speed record was still held by Burt Munro. It's posted on the Southern California Timing Association® website http://www.scta-bni.org/.
Bonneville Nationals Incorporated
CERTIFIED BIKE RECORDS - 1000CC
Body Entry Name Bike Date Speed
S-F Burt Munro Indian ' 67 183.586
Still holding after 39 years. Not bad for a 1920 Scout that was 47 years old at the time, or a guy who was 68 years old at the time (Munro lived from 1899 to 1978).
More info at the Indian Motorbikes site
http://www.indianmotorbikes.com/features/munro/
Don
Bonneville Nationals Incorporated
CERTIFIED BIKE RECORDS - 1000CC
Body Entry Name Bike Date Speed
S-F Burt Munro Indian ' 67 183.586
Still holding after 39 years. Not bad for a 1920 Scout that was 47 years old at the time, or a guy who was 68 years old at the time (Munro lived from 1899 to 1978).
More info at the Indian Motorbikes site
http://www.indianmotorbikes.com/features/munro/
Don
Still playing in theaters
This movie is still playing in the theaters here in Tucson. If you have not seen it you should. Here's one review ...
Flat-Out Fantastic: World's Fastest Indian
'racetracks as holy ground'
by dean adams
Friday, February 03, 2006
I had an opportunity to see an advance copy of the new film World's Fastest Indian last night and while I was quite skeptical that the movie would be worth watching—Hollywood's track record with bike racing isn't worthy even a lowly Brainerd trophy—I found the film charming and not in any way insulting to the dyed in the wool race fan. I enjoyed the film in a big way.
World's Fastest Indian is the story of a 1960s New Zealand man who spent 25 years preparing a 1920s Indian for a run at the Bonneville Salt Flats here in the US. The story details more of his journey from New Zealand to Bonneville than how he prepared the bike, which is initially disappointing but in the end it's fine because that story is told so well.
I won't spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it, but these points have to be made:
Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of the crusty, feisty, driven and charming rider/bike-builder Burt Munro is spot-on and he will be easily recognizable to anyone who has been around club or national racing in nearly form of motorsport. An accurate portrayal of a fellow who 'pays himself with his own enthusiasm', as Kevin Cameron has written. Guys like Burt Munro love racing and have more respect for the act of racing than all the paid riders on the grid of a Superbike race.
If there were an Academy Award given for "Accurate Portrayal of a Pain-In-The-Ass Tech Inspector" the two actors playing tech inspectors at Bonneville would win the award hands-down. If you've club raced, you know of these cats—beyond anal-retentive and so proud of their own fiefdom, while showing a protectiveness of their exalted rule book it's like they're guarding the writings of Christ himself. It's always surprised me that more PITA tech inspectors aren't just punched out. Or, maybe they are, and just I never hear about it.
The film includes a few nice, period motorcycle racing touches, from decals to helmets, but the best is that the writer included none-other than racer Rollie Free in the cast of characters Munro meets while at Bonneville. Free, a motorcycle racer from the early part of the twentieth century, remains the subject of one of the most famous motorcycle racing photos of all time—he's the fellow who did the Bonneville run on a Vincent, clad in only his underwear (he was actually wearing Ed Kretz's swimming trunks). Moreover, the film includes a veteran fast guy character that has to be based upon Mickey Thompson.
While the film does an excellent job of capturing the camaraderie of the club-racing paddock, possibly the best scene of the movie happens when Munro is asked if he isn't afraid that he'll get killed while racing, a common question motorcycle racers of all types are forced to endure when dealing with the non-racing public. Munro brushes that idea away by saying something to the effect of 'There's more living in five minutes flat-out on a bike than some men have in an entire life'.
Flat-Out Fantastic: World's Fastest Indian
'racetracks as holy ground'
by dean adams
Friday, February 03, 2006
I had an opportunity to see an advance copy of the new film World's Fastest Indian last night and while I was quite skeptical that the movie would be worth watching—Hollywood's track record with bike racing isn't worthy even a lowly Brainerd trophy—I found the film charming and not in any way insulting to the dyed in the wool race fan. I enjoyed the film in a big way.
World's Fastest Indian is the story of a 1960s New Zealand man who spent 25 years preparing a 1920s Indian for a run at the Bonneville Salt Flats here in the US. The story details more of his journey from New Zealand to Bonneville than how he prepared the bike, which is initially disappointing but in the end it's fine because that story is told so well.
I won't spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it, but these points have to be made:
Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of the crusty, feisty, driven and charming rider/bike-builder Burt Munro is spot-on and he will be easily recognizable to anyone who has been around club or national racing in nearly form of motorsport. An accurate portrayal of a fellow who 'pays himself with his own enthusiasm', as Kevin Cameron has written. Guys like Burt Munro love racing and have more respect for the act of racing than all the paid riders on the grid of a Superbike race.
If there were an Academy Award given for "Accurate Portrayal of a Pain-In-The-Ass Tech Inspector" the two actors playing tech inspectors at Bonneville would win the award hands-down. If you've club raced, you know of these cats—beyond anal-retentive and so proud of their own fiefdom, while showing a protectiveness of their exalted rule book it's like they're guarding the writings of Christ himself. It's always surprised me that more PITA tech inspectors aren't just punched out. Or, maybe they are, and just I never hear about it.
The film includes a few nice, period motorcycle racing touches, from decals to helmets, but the best is that the writer included none-other than racer Rollie Free in the cast of characters Munro meets while at Bonneville. Free, a motorcycle racer from the early part of the twentieth century, remains the subject of one of the most famous motorcycle racing photos of all time—he's the fellow who did the Bonneville run on a Vincent, clad in only his underwear (he was actually wearing Ed Kretz's swimming trunks). Moreover, the film includes a veteran fast guy character that has to be based upon Mickey Thompson.
While the film does an excellent job of capturing the camaraderie of the club-racing paddock, possibly the best scene of the movie happens when Munro is asked if he isn't afraid that he'll get killed while racing, a common question motorcycle racers of all types are forced to endure when dealing with the non-racing public. Munro brushes that idea away by saying something to the effect of 'There's more living in five minutes flat-out on a bike than some men have in an entire life'.