(Play – The Dream)

If ever there was a titularly-challenged movie The World’s Fastest Indian is it. No, this superb, subtly inspirational film isn't a Biography biopic about the legendary Jim Thorpe, nor is it a Bollywood sports film featuring a marathoner, nor is it a zany Zucker Brothers comedy about Tonto with a hotfoot.

Simply put, this is a marvelous, unforgettable film about the indomitable human spirit found in an unlikely place.

Producers of 20 to 1, to create a television show, which showcases the top twenty films ever made is a huge job. I am here to nominate a film that I believe deserves inclusion into this show, ‘Roger Donaldson’s, The World’s Fastest Indian’.

The true story of a man who never gave up on his dreams of doing something big -- and doing it very, very fast -- provides the basis for this engaging comedy drama. Burt Munro was born in 1899 in Invercargill, New Zealand. From childhood, Munro had a passion for machines that moved fast, and when he was 21 he bought his first motorcycle, an Indian model with a 600 cc engine. Motorcycles became an obsession that stayed with Munro for the rest of his life, as he constantly tinkered with his beloved Indian machine, modifying the engine and frame, determined to see just how fast he could make it run.

Burt is loved in his community for his friendly and charming personality and for being featured in Popular Mechanics magazine for having the fastest motorcycle in Australia and New Zealand. However, that recognition is contrasted by his exasperated neighbours, who are fed up with his un-neighbourly habits such as urinating on his lemon tree every morning, neglecting his yardwork, and, most of all, waking up before sunrise to rev his bike.

In 1967, Munro decided it was high time he proved to himself and the world just what he and his machine could do, and he booked passage for the United States, with the goal of breaking the world's land speed record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. As Munro made his way across America to Utah, he discovered not everyone took his dream seriously, but some did, and he made a handful of friends along the way. It is his blunt but gregarious nature which overcomes each hurdle. He wins over the hardened motel clerk, a transgender woman named Tina, who assists him in clearing customs and helps him in buying a car. Along the way, Burt meets many people, including a Native American who aids him when his trailer fails, a woman named Ada who helps him repair his trailer and becomes his lover, and an Air Force pilot who is on a leave from his military service in Vietnam.

Burt puts the irrepressible Kiwi spirit to the test, braving the new world on a shoestring budget. Burt’s quest culminates in an unlikely conclusion and remains legendary within the motorcycle community to this day.

The World’s Fastest Indian is a recount of a true story and is based on Roger Donaldson’s documentary, ‘Offering’s to the Gods of Speed’, which is also about Burt Munro. He was born 25 March 1899 in Invercargill, New Zealand and died on the 6 January 1978. Burt was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1000cc world record, at Bonneville on the 26 August 1967. This record still stands today. Munro was 68 and was riding a 47-year old machine when he set his last record. The "Munro Special," as Burt often called his bike, is now owned by a motorcycle enthusiast on New Zealand's South Island, and is on display at E Hayes & Sons in Invercargill.

The characters in the film, The World’s Fastest Indian, are portrayed from an angle which makes viewers more interested in the story. There were some changes made to the sequence of events however, the story is mostly based on real-life events. Anthony Hopkins who was born in Wales plays Burt Munro, however, does not employ the New Zealand accent that Burt would have had.

‘You live more in five minutes on a bike than some people live in their entire lifetime’. The film showcases a range of themes including the rather generic theme of courage conquering fear. This theme is shown through Burt not giving up on his dreams, no matter what others say or think about him. . This also provokes another underlying theme which is to never give up on your dreams. Although Burt did receive skepticism, he eventually conquered his goal which reinforces this.

(Play – Bonneville, Utah – 15) – Up to Quote

The cinematic techniques used in The World’s Fastest Indian further reinforces these themes and the representation of characters. The pan which occurs at the beginning of the film shows Burt’s collections off motor cycle wheels and pistons and his famous 1920 Indian Scout motorbike. Burt is always at an eye level with the audience which creates a sense of trust and the audience tends to sympathize and agree with Burt.

He is always looked down at a high level shot and this creates inequality and makes Burt seem less important. This technique is mainly incorporated during the races between other competitors who do not believe he can set a new record and when the officials of the race inform him that he cannot compete.

The vast majority of the scenes are filmed outside however, in Burt’s workshop, there was not much lighting because there was only a small light which he had. The events are all in chronological order and there are no flashbacks used. A soft, subtle instrumental plays through the first minute of the film and during Burt’s disappointments such as being denied a spot on the race.

When he arrives at the salt flats in Utah, there is a close up of him when he gets out of his car and then pans around the salt flats. Almost of all the scenes are in a sharp or deep focus except where the editor has wanted to blur the faces of people in the background to put more focus on the character.

Silence is incorporated into the film to effectively create a powerful change in mood and creates a heightened awareness of what is happening in the picture.

The World’s Fastest Indian is an inspirational film which will resonate with generations to come and is therefore worthy of inclusion in 20 to 1’s Best Films Ever Made television program. The historical and cultural background, representations of characters, themes, relationships and issues and the cinematic techniques used in this film have been analyzed and discussed. This film should be placed at number 8 because there are other films which are more in-depth and explain the meaning of the film better however, dispite the films budget, it is still worthy of including in the top ten greatest films. If you take a step back and look at The World's Fastest Indian, it's about a man's spiritual journey. Burt's life philosophy is easily explained: "You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people live in a lifetime." Burt's unassuming personality wins people over with ease - both on-screen characters and audience members. The World's Fastest Indian does what it sets out to do: educates about a mostly unknown historical figure, entertains, and uplifts and is therefore one of the greatest films ever made.