Based on a true story, this drama follows 67-year-old grandfather and New Zealander Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) as he flies across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats and blazes into the record books at 183.586 mph on his customized Indian Scout motorcycle. Set in 1967, this film is the second pairing for Hopkins and writer-director Roger Donaldson (Cocktail, Thirteen Days), who also worked together on The Bounty (1984).
Reviews:
"ONE OF THE YEAR’S MOST LOVABLE MOVIES. Anthony Hopkins finds all the right note to create one of the year’s most endearing oddball heroes" - Roger Ebert, Ebert & Roeper
"A wonderful portrait of American generosity of spirit" Â Patrick Goldstein, LA Times
"...Anthony Hopkins is a joy to watch in a film with a big heart..." - Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight
"...fast, funny, big-hearted picture..."- Chicago Tribune
"...a charming, slice-of-life biopic..." - San Francisco Chronicle
"...Fast-paced fun...." - New York Post
Awards & Nomination:
Australian Cinematographers Society - 2007
Won - Cinematographer of the Year - David Gribble
Won - Golden Tripod - Features - Cinema - David Gribble
New Zealand Screen Awards - 2006
Won - New Zealand Screen Award Best Achievement in Directing - Roger Donaldson
Won - Best Achievement in Editing - John Gilbert
Won - Best Achievement in Production Design - J. Dennis Washington, Robert Gillies
Won - Best Contribution to a Soundtrack, Tim Prebble, Gethin Creagh, Michael Hedges
Won - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Anthony Hopkins
Won - Best Picture - Gary Hannam, Roger Donaldson
Won - Best Screenplay - Roger Donaldson
Nominated - New Zealand Screen Award - Best Achievement in Cinematography - David Gribble
Nominated - Best Achievement in Costume Design - Nancy Cavallaro, Jane Holland
Nominated - Best Achievement in Original Music - J. Peter Robinson
San Sebastián International Film Festival - 2005
Nominated - Golden Seashell - Roger Donaldson
Unique Features:
- Starring Anthony Hopkins (Amistad, The Silence of the Lambs, Meet Joe Black) Won the Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role - The Silence of the Lambs. Nominated for 3 more Oscar - Best Actor and Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Among 34 wins & 27 nominations.
- Directed by Roger Donaldson (The Recruit, Thirteen Days, Dante's Peak, Cocktail) nominated at Cannes Film Festival for Golden Palm Award. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.
- The Movie won Australian Cinematographers Society Award and New Zealand Screen Award.
- In Movie the gang's motorcycles are Triumphs with one BSA and 1 AJS.
- In Movie Tim Shadbolt, who plays Frank in the movie was actually the Mayor of Invercargill in real life and at the time of writing still is.
