The World's Fastest Indian - Making movies in Invercargill
The Story
Set during the 1960s, The World’s Fastest Indian brings to life on film the story of the famous Kiwi motorcycle legend Burt Munro. After a lifetime of perfecting his classic Indian motorcycle, Munro made racing history by setting a new speed record on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.
The Cast
Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins plays Kiwi speedster Burt Munro, with ex-pat Kiwi, Roger Donaldson, directing. The film also stars Diane Ladd as Ada, while local viewers will spot Shortland Street actress Annie Whittle as Fran.
Locations
Invercargill
Affectionately known as New Zealand’s Friendly City, Southland’s main centre, Invercargill, played host to the film crew of The World's Fastest Indian during the New Zealand portion of the film. Local residents even had their chance to appear on the big screen when Invercargill’s Southland Times ran an ad calling for locals ‘older than 21’ to star alongside Anthony Hopkins as crowd and background extras. A key location for the New Zealand shoot was beautiful Oreti Beach, which was used for Munro’s beach racing scenes. The street where the Post Office was set is called The Crescent, and had 1960s phone booths and parking meters fitted especially for the shoot. Keen local eyes will also spot Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, who has a brief cameo inside the Post Office.
For those visiting the city, many of Burt Munro’s tools and props from his toolshed are on display in a local hardware store. Sir Anthony Hopkins borrowed these during filming to add to his character’s authenticity.
Utah
The US portion of The World's Fastest Indian was set in Utah, with an elaborate set built at Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats. The 1960s-style set included an announcing tower, start lines, mile markers and portable buildings.
Premiere
The World’s Fastest Indian is releasing in New Zealand cinemas on 12 October 2005.
Did You Know?
Munro was one of the oldest people ever to set a land speed record at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats.
Munro’s 1967 world speed record remains unbroken today.
Munro set his record with a one way pass of 201 mph.
The stuntman doubling for Hopkins during the Salt Flats crash scene broke his collar-bone.
The fastest man on wheels is Andy Green of England, who was the first man to break the sound barrier. He set a record of 763 mph in a jet-powered streamliner.
Kiwi director Roger Donaldson owned an army Indian in his younger days, and was a huge fan of Burt Munro. He wrote the movie script 25 years ago.
Roger Donaldson began his career in New Zealand, directing his first ever movie Sleeping Dogs, which also starred ex-pat Kiwi actor, Sam Neill.
Donaldson’s other films have included Smash Palace, The Bounty, No Way Out, White Sands, The Getaway, Cadillac Man, Species, Dante’s Peak, Thirteen Days and The Recruit. Donaldson also directed Tom Cruise in one of the actor’s earliest star vehicles, Cocktail.
For more information visit:
Imdb - Plot, cast, trivia and more
The official film website