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The World's Fastest Indian - Bob Pickett reviews the DVD of the film of one of the longest standing speed records.

Click here for more info or to order this book In 1967, New Zealander Burt Munro set the world speed record for a motorcycle under 1000cc (which still stands to this day) at Bonneville Flats in Utah. The World's Fastest Indian is a tribute to Munro's achievement, but also provides a lot more detail about the man and his journey to make his record-breaking attempt.

The film starts at Munro's home in Invercargill; clearly loved by the local community, he does however exasperate his neighbours with habits like urinating on his lemon tree (a liberty take of the truth, the director put this in as a tribute to his own father, who apparantly did so), waking up at the crack of dawn to rev his machine and general lack of attention to the state of his property.

From here, the film gives more of an idea of the type of man Munro was, viewed through his friendship with a young boy who lived next door. You get to see how he made his own engine parts, how he was given a 'battle fund' by the local community and also, on the verge of departing, how he was diagnosed with angina and told he should not race any longer.

Of course, Munro ignores this advice and sets off for America, with no idea of what to expect when he gets there. And this forms the greater part of the tale, how this charming and unassuming man made his way across the US and the friendships he struck up along the way.

Even when Munro made it to Bonneville, he was lucky to be allowed to race. Unaware of the need to pre-register, with a bike that in all honesty would never pass scrutiny, once again Munro strikes up a friendship with just the person who can help him to be allowed to have a trial and then be able to make his history-making run.

There are two key factors to why this is such an enchanting and entertaining film; the performance by Anthony Hopkins and the direction of Roger Donaldson. Hopkins, whilst perhaps not nailing the notoriously tricky to perfect Kiwi accent, gives one of his greatest performances as the gentle, unaffected Munro. And Donaldson's direction, which clearly displays his passion for the subject, matches Hopkins' performance perfectly, producing a simple, gentle film.

You will note I have used words like simple and gentle throughout this review and this is quite deliberate - though if your heart does not race faster when the record attempt is running there is something wrong with you. In these days of FX-laden, multi-billion Dollar blockbusters dominating the cinema screens, it is a truly enjoyable experience to see a film put out there that returns to the business of telling a tale and telling it well.

Verdict: The World's Fastest Indian is one of the most enjoyable films I have seen in a long time. It draws you in, it has you caring about it's characters and will leave you feeling better about the world. Even if you know nothing about Burt Munro, his record attempt or even if you know nothing (and care less) about motorcycles (so why are you on a motorcycling website?), you will find something to take away from this film.

Watch it - you will not be disappointed.

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