"The World's Fastest Indian" is, so far, the best movie I've seen in 2006. It's quirky, funny, charming, suspenseful and manages to be both an exquisite art film and a root-for-the-underdog audience picture at the same time. It also features Anthony Hopkins' best performance of his career (yes, even surpassing "Silence of the Lambs"). It was given a criminally limited release in theaters, but hopefully, it'll find the huge audience it deserves on DVD.

Based on the true story of Burt Munro, the elderly New Zealand motorcycle fanatic who took a modified 40-year-old Indian (the cycle of the title) and broke the land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the early 1960s, "The World's Fastest Indian" not only covers that historic event, but definitely proves the old adage true that the journey is more important than the destination. Most of the film concern's Munro's efforts to trek half way around the world to fulfill his dream of truly seeing what his pieced-together old machine can do, and the assorted (sometimes quirky) characters who help him along the way. The first two-thirds of the movie are both a charming character study and the quasi-epic odyssey of a man refusing to give up his life-long obsession, despite what he knows it may do to his health. Along the way, seemingly none of those who assist him share his optimism (in fact, a few think it's practically suicide, given the condition of both Munro and his bike), but they help him anyway, overwhelmed by both Munro's eccentric charm and his single-minded drive. Though none of them are what you might call major characters (aside from Munro, none have much more than maybe 10 minutes of total screen time), they are so well written and vibrantly portrayed by a top-notch cast that the film's narrative would suffer without them. Especially good are Chris Williams as a sympathetic transvestite, and Diane Ladd as a lonely widow who Munro meets on his journey. Of course, Hopkins is the glue that holds all these scenes together, and his performance as Munro is nothing less than amazing. He disappears into this role like never before in his career, easily creating one of the most likeable characters I've seen in a movie in years. In the final act, the film effortlessly shifts from a leisurely-paced character study to rousing audience picture, mainly because we've got so much emotionally invested in Munro by now, but also because director Roger Donaldson manages give us a lot of technical detail regarding motorsports in a way even a novice can appreciate just how risky Munro's efforts were. From an action standpoint, this last act is also a technical triumph, featuring stunning racing scenes and virtuoso camera work. All these elements combined successfully take a relatively small event in motorsports history and make it feel as important as the first walk on the moon.

To be really appreciated on home video, a movie like this would depend on a great transfer, and this DVD does not disappoint. The picture is presented in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio, and while I personally think it should have been shot in 2.35:1, which might have made the racing scenes at Bonneville even more impressive, the transfer itself is outstanding, with good color, sharp lines and no blemishes. The audio is also excellent, rendered in 5.1 Dolby Digital. The overall sound is crisp, clear, with great balance and no distortion.

The best feature is the full length audio commentary by director Donaldson, for whom this film is an obvious labor of love. Most commentaries featuring only the director are often informative but dry, but Donaldson's enthusiasm for this film makes it but informative AND entertaining. Another great feature is a 1971 documentary Donaldson made about Munro back in 1971. Running roughly 27 minutes, it features great footage and entertaining interviews with Munro. Upon seeing it, it makes one appreciate just how dead-on accurate Hopkins' performance really is. Also included is a 45 minute making-of feature that mostly focuses on the actors and the characters they portray, as well as some behind-the-scenes footage. There are also four worthwhile deleted scenes, and a short promo about Invercargill (Munro's hometown).

"The World's Fastest Indian" joins a short list of movies I personally can't imagine anyone not liking. Filled with numerous scenes of the sort that makes movies fun to begin with, this is both a spirit-lifting character study and rousing audience picture all in one, not to mention the terrific performance by Hopkins in the lead role (which deserves a nod come Oscar time next year, but probably won't get one). I saw this one in theaters, but I liked it even better the second time, when I was alone & didn't feel self-conscious about getting misty along with Munro when he saw the Bonneville Salt Flats for the first time. This, so far, is the sleeper movie of the year. Most highly recommended. Similar Movies: "Seabiscuit"; "The Straight Story"; "The Natural"