Roger Dolaldson @ $1.5 mil. (A) vs. Peter Jackson @ $150 mil (F)

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2006)

New Zealand's Roger Donaldson put together a superb and engrossing picture with positive values such as character, backbone, inventiveness, tenacity, and the value of friendship. Simply never a dull moment with another outstanding portrayal by Anthony Hopkins. Let's face it, old geezers are seldom as interesting in movies as the young; but the audience is totally sucked into old Bert's never-quit plan to finish his life only after his life's greatest goal is made into reality. It does not take $150 million to make a good movie, and Indian never for a second looks like a cheap film. Compare that to New Zealand's most awful contribution to film-making, Peter Jackson, who spent 100 times the cost of this fine film to create a dreadful silly "remake" of King Kong. May Roger Donaldson be praised and may we never forget Jackson's kindergarten-like squandering of $150 million of ticket-buyer's money -- simply to create a mess.