When Roger Donaldson was a budding young New Zealand filmmaker, he heard about a crusty eccentric named Burt Monro who had taken his souped-up 1920's motorcycle (the Indian) from Down Under to Bonneville Flats to set a land speed record in 1967. Roger talked him into making the trip again and made a short film of his exploits. Never satisfied that he'd done justice to the character of Burt Monro, Donaldson has now written and directed the feature film he envisioned so long ago: the story of a man of extraordinary belief in himself and his dream.
Personified by the masterful Anthony Hopkins, Munro is a multi-dimensional character, full of determination, creativity, charm and eccentricity, whose big dream is not taken seriously at home in Invercargill, New Zealand. Once he's wiped out the competition on his home beaches, Utah beckons and Burt and his Indian embark for the other side of the world.
Burt is open to anything in pursuit of his goal so the trip is full of adventure and fun. Diane Ladd has a terrific cameo as a tenderhearted woman he meets along the way, and the journey culminates triumphantly in a land speed record that stands today. (Catherine Wyler)

2005 San Sebastian International Film Festival: Nominee

Director/Writer: Roger Donaldson
Producers: Roger Donaldson, Gary Hannam
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd

Diane Ladd just finished co-starring with Ashley Judd in COME EARLY MORNING, to be released early spring 2006, and filmed WHEN I SEE THE OCEAN, also to be released in 2006. Last year, Ladd starred in Steven King's 15-hour mini-series for ABC Primetime. Previously, she filmed CHARLIE'S WAR, in which she co-stars with Olympia Dukakis and Lynn Redgrave.