Motorcycle Man
The World's Fastest Indian
Review by Ross Anthony

No, this is not a film about Native Americans running through the countryside, or East Indians in a marathon. The Indian in question here is a brand of motorcycle once made in America and esteemed for its speed and quality.

Burt Munro (Hopkins) somehow got a hold of a 1920's model as a young man in New Zealand and spent the rest of his life making it faster and faster while dreaming of breaking speed records in the salt flats of Utah, half the world away. He endeavors to live that dream before the inevitably of his body giving out to old age. Don't worry this comment doesn't really give anything away.

It's a sweet film with a Crocodile Dundee Sr. sensibility (pardon the Aussie reference). Burt is a very focused man and his persistence and passion seem to dash away the multitude of difficult circumstances that come his way. His chin up, smile and commitment to his craft win over stranger after stranger and no doubt they'll win you over as well.

You don't have to have grease under your fingernails to appreciate this film. And the message "Pursue You Dreams" rings out as loud as a hand-bored motorcycle engine.

Though ironically a little slow in places and yes, a bit schmaltzy at times too; the cinematography is as warm as the acting and script, and the music/sound editing is top notch.


  • The World's Fastest Indian. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Paul Rodriguez, Aaron Murphy, Annie Whittle, Chris Bruno, Bruce Greenwood.
  • Written and Directed by Roger Donaldson.
  • Produced by Roger Donaldson, Gary Hannam at Magnolia/OLC/Rights/Tanlay/Nzfilmpf/NZFilmCom.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 07:50:12 PDT