The World's Fastest Indian

Herald rating: * * * * *

For those who have been living under a rock, this is Roger Donaldson's hymn from Hollywood to his homeland, to its everyday people, to our character and values. Some might argue that his hero, Burt Munro, was not an everyday person: how many of us become world champions in our 60s? But that, surely is the essence of Donaldson's portrait.

By now, the story is well enough known. Munro (Anthony Hopkins) is retired, lives in Invercargill, has a heart condition and has spent years tinkering with a 1920 Indian motorcycle (pronounced "motor-sickle"). He has a dream, and in 1967, thinks the bike is ready for the journey to Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, for Speed Week.

He raises the funds in Invercargill and travels overland through America, where his adventures include a detour with a widow (Dianne Ladd) to see her husband's grave, until he arrives in Bonneville.

They've never seen anything quite like Munro and his Indian: no brakes, a cork on the petrol tank, no tread on the tyres, all held together by a kitchen cupboard hinge. Oh, and no registration, either. But they let the old man have a shot at his dream.

Racing against the clock along a mile-long straight etched out of the salt, Munro ... well, the title gives it away, but as we have noted this is not a suspense movie. He is timed at 201.85 mph, a record for streamlined motorcycles under 1000cc that stands today. He would come back nine more times, racing his motorcycle and his heart against the clock.

Donaldson was inspired by Munro and made a TV documentary about him in 1971, before going on to become the movie maker who kickstarted our industry with the political thriller, Sleeping Dogs, in 1977. He began to write this movie in 1979 but shelved it when he moved to Hollywood. Now a major player, he had the clout to persuade Hopkins to join him in what must have seemed an odd little amusement. Hopkins draws the shy, obsessed, muddled and naive Munro to perfection.

* DVD, video rental today