Filming to commence in NZ on “World’s Fastest Indian”

[Bob]

Filming is underway for what promises to be “Another exciting NZ film” said Acting Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard. "Film has become an increasingly important industry for New Zealand. As well as delivering important economic benefits, it provides a great forum for sharing our stories and heritage with the world."

Written and directed by New Zealander Roger Donaldson, The World's Fastest Indian will star Academy Award-winner, Anthony Hopkins as New Zealand motorcycle legend Burt Munro. Filming has begun at the site of Munro’s record-breaking motorcycle feat in Utah, and will soon move to New Zealand to complete an 11-week shoot.

Burt Munro came from Invercargill and in the 1960s set world speed records on an Indian motorbike.

The film is Roger Donaldson’s first in New Zealand since embarking on a successful 20-year career in Hollywood.

[Ms Piggy]

Cool - sounds like one to look out for!

[James Deuce]

Sorry to be a naysayer, but the premise does little for me, and the fact that Anthony Hopkins is going to be playing the lead when there are plenty of "Authentic Kiwis" who could carry the role with ease is a touch patronising, especially from a Kiwi director. It's a niche feel good movie that won't be a huge box office success, so why get a fat old bloke who will do a hybrid brit-aussie accent and call it a Kiwi accent to play one of the hard men of the NZ bike scene?? That would be like getting that gabbling munter Hugh Grant to play John Britten.

Hmmm?

[vifferman]

Sorry to be a naysayer, but the premise does little for me, and the fact that Anthony Hopkins is going to be playing the lead when there are plenty of "Authentic Kiwis" who could carry the role with ease is a touch patronising, especially from a Kiwi director.

That's a very good point, and quite unpatriotic (on Donaldson's part, not yours). Perhaps he thought 'big naming' was necessary to provide a drawcard to what may be a film with potentially little universal appeal?
Pity Bruno Lawrence isn't around still; I reckon he'd have been good in this role. But then again, there are plenty of other good Kiwi actors.

[jrandom]

Nonsense. Anthony Hopkins is one of the finest thespians of our time. His inclusion will give the movie a better chance of achieving greatness, or at least watchability, than a lead played by any Kiwi actor I can think of off the top of my head; would anyone like to differ and suggest names that I may have missed?

IMHO, any talk of patriotism is twaddle. Why would paying a fat fee to a single New Zealand citizen instead of Mr Hopkins do anything in particular for the country?

[James Deuce]

My point, and I do have one, is that this movie will not hit the great heights of moviedom due to it's niche nature. Why waste millions of dollars on Anthony Hopkins, when you could use anyone from a large list of aspiring actors and give them some exposure?

I had no idea Anthony Hopkins was a lesbian. Explains the overalls I suppose.

[jrandom]

My point, and I do have one, is that this movie will not hit the great heights of moviedom due to it's niche nature.

I'm not sure that such a pre-judgement is valid. It also depends what you define as 'the great heights of moviedom'. Box-office ticket sales? By that standard, about half of my own favourite movies are flops.

Film was the single most important art form of the twentieth century; perhaps it will be so in the twenty-first, too. I would prefer to judge works on their own merits; the most unpatriotic thing here seems to be the assumption that any film treating on the subject of motorcycles in New Zealand could not possibly be worthy of standing beside movies about larger subjects.

[James Deuce]

I'm not sure that such a pre-judgement is valid. It also depends what you define as 'the great heights of moviedom'. Box-office ticket sales? By that standard, about half of my own favourite movies are flops.

Film was the single most important art form of the twentieth century; perhaps it will be so in the twenty-first, too. I would prefer to judge works on their own merits; the most unpatriotic thing here seems to be the assumption that any film treating on the subject of motorcycles in New Zealand could not possibly be worthy of standing beside movies about larger subjects.

Patriotism isn't at the heart of my point - they general rule that any movie that focuses on bikes will bomb hugely is almost a truism with only, maybe, 2 exceptions which were more about society and change than bikes.

[jrandom]

Patriotism isn't at the heart of my point - they general rule that any movie that focuses on bikes will bomb hugely is almost a truism with only, maybe, 2 exceptions which were more about society and change than bikes.

Fairy muff.

But there's no good reason for it. Perhaps someone will buck the trend. Motorcycles are, after all, a logical replacement for the hay-eating chargers ridden by the lone heroes of tales aforetime.

And, you must admit, Mr Hopkins' inclusion raises hopes of this particular flick rising above the likes of Torque.

[vifferman]

I would prefer to judge works on their own merits; the most unpatriotic thing here seems to be the assumption that any film treating on the subject of motorcycles in New Zealand could not possibly be worthy of standing beside movies about larger subjects.

Like whales? Or giant gorillas?
Surely a film about motorcycling is of at least as much worth as ones about some raw-fish-eating weirdo with an unhealthy obsession for jewellery? That one seemed to go down quite well, apparently.

[jrandom]

Like whales? Or giant gorillas?

You got it.

That one seemed to go down quite well, apparently.

The fissssssh, or the jewellery?

[Midnight 82]

Like Jim2 said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vifferman]

The fissssssh, or the jewellery?

In the end / one way or another / in the final analysis / when it comes down to it / when you think about it / when all is said and done / to all intents and purposes, the whole kitten kaboodle.

Oops... did I inadvertantly let too much slip?

[2_SL0]

Can I be a extra, like Pauls Holmes was in LOTR. I dont need makeup either.

[Motu]

I wonder if the handsome mechanic who used to work on Mrs Munro's Simca will be shown,I know a guy who could do with the fame,he's a little older,but still just as handsome.Had a friend in earlier who spent some time with Burt in the 70s at the shed,said he was a bit hard case alright.