This is a heartwarming, adventure movie that entertains everyone, especially seasoned Hopkins followers and boys who like motorbikes and speed. Written and directed by Roger Donaldson, with whom Hopkins had worked on ‘The Bounty’. Based on the real life story of Burt Munro who accomplished his life long dream of setting the world land-speed record on his Indian motorcycle in 1967. Munro struck over 200 mph with a motorcycle of less than 1000 cc!
Set in the 1960s in Invercargill, a small town in New Zealand, the movie has a charming sense of a bygone time. Ironically, this film chugs along somewhat slowly for one coupled with speed, but its’ leisurely pace gives us time to savour one of Anthony Hopkins’ finest performances. The film gains momentum right through to its’ glorious conclusion.
Anthony Hopkins plays down at heel Burt Munro, a cantankerous old guy, with greasy hair, motor oil under his fingernails and a credible Kiwi accent – far removed from the usual immaculate Hopkins characters. His performance is well-rounded, embodying Burt’s warmth, and openness with accuracy. Munro is known in his small town for his obsession with his old Indian motorcycle, the fastest in New Zealand and to the annoyance of his neighbours revs his engine at dawn most mornings.
The film unfolds the story of the journey Burt made to achieve his amazing dream late in life. After countless modifications to the old 1920S Indian motorcycle, each time pushing to go faster, Burt finally decides, following a bad turn with his heart, to go to Bonneville, Salt Flats in Utah, the site where the world land-speed record is held. He has to mortgage his home to the bank to fund his tour to the States, and assemble his own trailer to move the Indian once off the ship. There are plenty of nuts-and-bolts references to please those fascinated in racing and the film features some humorous moments, such as when Munro makes his own pistons and then brews tea from the cooling-barrel water!
Munro meets different characters along the way, Tina (Chris Williams) a transvestite motel clerk who is so endeared by Burt’s charm and open friendliness that she helps him rent a car cheaply, Fernando (Paul Rodriguez) a used car salesman, who
lets Burt work on his trailer in his garage, Ada (Diane Ladd) a lonely widow who becomes his lover, a native Indian and an Air Force pilot on leave from Vietnam. All these people help him get to Utah when all the chances seem against that happening, as Burt comes up against all kinds of problems. The characters in the support roles keep the movie fresh and add some humorous moments into the film.
The location filming at the Salt Flats, Bonneville is superb and the speed racing shoots are exciting. However, Burt is there but there are yet more hurdles for him to get over. The organisers are not impressed that Munro has not even signed up himself to compete and even less impressed with his creaking, spluttering out-of-date motorcycle with makeshift bald tyres and no proper brakes. The judges have safety concerns with Munro’s clothes – lack of protection against flames, the bureaucracy is endless and there is considerable doubt as to whether he will be allowed to go into the competition. But Burt wouldn’t take no for an answer and through his charisma and engaging friendliness with the other competitors; Burt wins everybody over and is allowed to be eligible for entry. All the way through this part of the film you can sense yourself rooting for Burt Munro and his dream – it’s one of those salt of the earth stories, made even more poignant as it is based on a real life story and legend.
The finale is triumphant, reaching over 200 mph on his old Indian motorcycle, despite critical burns to his leg from the exhaust. Yet his aim has been achieved of setting the world land-speed record.
A genuine feel-good, inspiring movie, with brilliant acting and directing. Enjoy the ride!
A motorbike ridden and worked on by the legendary Burt Munro sold lately at an auction for $71,000 – well exceeding expectations of around $35,000. It was acquired by a Kiwi bike enthuisiast who bid determinedly to get the bike.
One of the best books about the true story are ‘Legend of Speed: The Burt Munro Story’, by Tim Hanna and if you want to know more about the legendary Indian motorcycles, an first-rate recommended read is ‘Indian Motorcycles’ by noted Indian historian Jerry Hatfield, with more than 125 specially commissioned photographs and 25 black and white historical pictures, capturing the seductive power and grace of the great models-the Scout, Chief, and Four, -and recreating the thrill the Indian evokes to this day.
To read more about Anthony Hopkins movies, including unique movie reviews, movie clips, news and pictures visit http://www.anthonyhopkinsmovies.com
