The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

The World's Fastest Indian is a warm, inspirational biographical drama about New Zealander Burt Munro (played memorably by Anthony Hopkins), a quirky, determined machinist who spends decades modifying a 1920 Indian motorcycle in pursuit of a simple dream: to test its limits on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. The film follows Burt from his modest life in Invercargill through his risky, do‑it‑yourself journey to America — mortgaging his house, cobbling together a trailer and an old car, and charming strangers along the way — all to compete against younger, better‑funded teams and the elements themselves. Watching the movie, you’ll experience a gentle blend of humor, heart, and quiet grit. Intimate workshop scenes invite you into Burt’s obsessive craftsmanship; road sequences convey the oddball, adventurous character of his trip; and the Bonneville scenes deliver real tension and exhilaration as he tests speed, limits, and mortality. The tone is uplifting but never sentimental — it balances laugh-out-loud moments and human warmth with reflective, bittersweet beats about aging, legacy, and the cost of following a dream. Ultimately, the film is a character study and an underdog sports story in one: uplifting, visually evocative (especially the sweeping salt‑flat vistas), and anchored by a heartfelt lead performance. Viewers can expect to come away inspired by Burt’s stubborn optimism and technical ingenuity, moved by the personal stakes, and satisfied by the film’s celebration of passion and perseverance.

Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Iain Rea

Director: Roger Donaldson

Runtime: 127 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport

6.7 /10 68 /100 7.8 /10 7.1 /10