Topic: UK BBC2 5pm Tuesday 30/12/08

[dave400]

Looks like a good film on the telly at last this Christmas.

The World's Fastest Indian
Tuesday 30 December
5:00pm - 7:00pm
BBC2
The milk of human kindness flows freely in this uplifting biopic from writer/director Roger Donaldson. Centring on an endearingly eccentric performance from Anthony Hopkins, it's an inspirational portrait of ageing New Zealander Burt Munro who, in 1967, followed his dreams and became a motorcycle legend. After a lifetime of perfecting his classic Indian Twin Scout bike, the plucky pensioner travelled to the US, where he set a still unbroken, world land-speed record on Utah's famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Unusually for modern cinema, the film is devoid of cynicism - remaining as open-hearted as its protagonist and the colourful characters he encounters. From the cross-dressing motel receptionist to a lonely widow (Diane Ladd), both Donaldson and Munro see only their positive sides. Older viewers in particular will be charmed by the traditional values the picture extols, while the cheeky comic edge and exciting racing sequences offset any feelings that it's all just rose-tinted nostalgia.
Tell us what you think
Email us at rtfilmcomments@bbc.co.uk to tell us what you think of this film. Your comments may appear in Radio Times magazine.
VIDEO Plus+: 97189
Subtitled, Widescreen, Audio-described
Cast
•   Burt Munro - Anthony Hopkins
•   Ada - Diane Ladd
•   Tom - Aaron Murphy
•   Fernando - Paul Rodriguez
•   Fran - Annie Whittle
•   Tina - Chris Williams
•   Jim Moffet - Chris Lawford [Christopher Lawford]
•   Otto Donner - Joe Howard
•   Duncan - Greg Johnson
•   Sarah - Tessa Mitchell
•   Rusty - Patrick Flueger
Directed by: Roger Donaldson
Filmed in: 2005

[stevej]

I remember seeing a  preview of this film a couple of years ago,thanks for the reminder,the dvd is set.

[toycollector10]

Some background:

New Zealand in the 1960's and earlier was very isolated from the rest of the world. If something broke, it could take weeks or months for parts to arrive from the USA or the UK.

Hence the expression "Number eight wire" which is the standard gauge for fencing wire here. A man who was good with his hands could fix a lot of stuff just by using #8 wire.

Bert was firmly rooted as a man with few resources except his hands and his imagination. And of course, number 8 wire type thinking.

Today, NZ is only the next international flight away, that is, a maximum of 13 hours flight time. 

I buy my parts, I don't have to put together a forge and make them to a pattern I drew myself. I hope you understand.

[tramp]

good movie
a little boring in the middle but good all around movie

[SteveD CB500F]

First time I've seen it.

Great film.



... now I understand...   BurmaShave!   Ha!

[gerhed]

Interesting casting of Diane Ladd as Burts USA love interest.
-The director is obviously a student of the genre.
Diane Ladd was Bruce Dern's girl friend in 60's "Wild Angels" biker flick.