A Real Boy's Own Adventure Tale

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2006)

My only criticism of "The World's Fastest Indian" is the usual one for films "based on" true events. Roger Donaldson's screenplay buggers up the chronology of Burt Munro's speed career at Bonneville, borrowing from various incidents over a period of years to make up a good story. I'm sure that Donaldson has exaggerated or made up what happened away from the Utah salt flats as well, but the film is still a credible tribute to a little-known hero from New Zealand. Burt Munro was a DIY engineer and biker whose 1921 Indian motorcycle still holds a speed record that he set in 1967. Not bad for a vintage bike, fettled by a guy who made all the tuning parts in his shed.
Anthony Hopkins is on superb form as Burt Munro and is well supported by the rest of the cast. This is very much Hopkins' movie and he shines in the role.
A special mention goes to the film's special effects team for their work on recreating Munro's high speed runs on his venerable Indian bike. There is a real feeling of speed in these sequences and I was genuinely thrilled by them.
Forget my criticism about its historical accuracy and watch this film. If you're not smiling by the end, there's no hope for you.