If you ask most of today's movie audiences who Anthony Hopkins is, most would immediately shout out ""Hannibal", because most of them have only seen him portray the serial killer with a taste for Chianti and Fava Beans. But sharp-eyed film aficionados know that his range as an actor goes much wider than just playing psychotics. While his most chilling role to date (in my opinion) was that of the ventriloquist Corky in the psychological horror, "Magic", Hopkins is every bit the character actor who's presence can grace a Merchant Ivory drama as easily as it can a romantic comedy. Perhaps his strongest film role to date was that of Dr. Frederick Treves, the doctor who befriends the hideously deformed John Merrick in "Elephant Man."

His most recent work is "The World's Fastest Indian", which to be honest I hadn't even heard of. Occasionally, I would see banners advertising it on various Internet websites, but that was about it. The next thing I knew, I caught word of a DVD release… days after it was released. My curiosity grew by leaps and bounds, made worse by all of my friends and neighbors acting shocked that I had not seen it and telling me it was the best family movie they had seen in a long time. Admittedly I was a bit shocked, too. A movie that all my friends had seen BEFORE me?? Ridiculous!!

So I opted to track down this elusive film (well, not really that elusive had I made the trek to my local DVD store), and in doing so the fine folks at Magnolia Pictures were kind enough to send me a copy so I could give it a whirl. Upon reading the packaging, my first question was answered… what the heck was it about? From the banner ads and the title, I thought it was about an Indian who could run really fast ala "The World's Greatest Athlete." But no, thankfully I was wrong.

Hopkins stars as Burt Munro, a real life motorcyclist who set a land speed record back in 1967… on a circa 1920 Indian Scout. Now, I love motorcycles so I was even more interested to see the movie. "The World's Fastest Indian" seems like it might one of those 'feel-good' movies that tend to be a little bit too mushy, but it isn't. 'Feel-good' yes, but not so over the top as to suck the sugar right out of your tea. This part of the film's formula rest firmly on Munro's dedication to his cause, and in the hands of a lesser actor, he would have been a caricature instead of a flesh and blood person.

The rest of the film serves as a bit of a historical pictorial of America in the 1960's as Munro travels to his intended destination… the Bonneville Salt Flats. Having come all the way from New Zealand, he moves his was across towards Utah and meets all manner of people along the way. Some may appear a little stereotypical, but to be honest, most people living in the U.S. (even today) are living some sort of stereotypical life or another. Some are just way more pronounced. It is his interactions with these people, many of whom aren’t too friendly, that make up the meat of the story. His experiences are just as important as the final goal.

What my friends were telling me about it being a great family film was also true. Not so much for really little kids, but perfect for 8 or 9 years olds on up. There's a little bit of language, but not enough to raise anyone's hackles. Director Roger Donaldson is an exemplary filmmaker and I appreciate his work as much as I like Hopkins as an actor. The two make for a perfect team.

But what makes the DVD and even stronger candidate for you collection is the inclusion amongst its extra features of a 1971 documentary Donaldson filmed about the real Burt Munro. It was made for play as a TV special in New Zealand, and having it here serves to prove the case for what an amazing story his life holds. Along with this terrific feature, there is also a fascinating commentary by Donaldson on the feature film, a handful of deleted scenes and a 'making of' featurette. You'll also find a wonderful little piece on Invercagill, New Zealand, Burt's hometown.

I'm glad I went the extra mile to see "The World's Fastest Indian", and had I bought it myself, I would not have felt the least bit cheated. It's a wonderful film, and for once… my friends were right.

Directed by: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Paul Rodriguez, Aaron Murphy
Extras: Bonus Film - The Original 1971 Documentary "Offerings to the God of Speed" with Footage of the Real Burt Munro - also Directed by Roger Donaldson, Southland - Burt's Hometown of Invercargill, Making of Featurette, Commentary by Director Roger Donaldson, Deleted Scenes
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: 6/13/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Brief Language, Drug Use and a Sexual Reference)
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We'll give The World's Fastest Indian an A.