THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN Galas

Based on the true story of Burt Munro, one of New Zealand’s national heroes, THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN refers to the souped-up classic Indian Scout motorcycle which carried Munro to his destiny in 1967, when he broke the world land speed record on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, a record which still stands to this day.

Getting on in years, the modest and slightly eccentric Munro (portrayed to perfection by Sir Anthony Hopkins in all of his gentle, absent-minded genius) lives alone in a small New Zealand town, where he obsessively tunes-up his motorcycle, much to the fascination of the young boy next door. Munro has dreamed for much of his life of traveling to Utah to challenge the world land speed record. Realizing that it’s now or never, he decides to make the journey.

THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN is as much about that journey, and the characters, obstacles and opportunities that Munro encounters along the way, as it is about the challenge itself. At every turn, Munro’s boundless kindness and vitality bring out the very best in people. It is this eager and loving spirit that director Roger Donaldson – an expert on Burt Munro and director of a 19 71 documentary on the racing hero called OFFERINGS TO THE GOD OF SPEED-brings to the screen in this remarkable film.