World's Fastest Indian, The (2005) Movie Script

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Burt. Shut that
bloody thing up.
Do you know what time
it is? Burt!
Burt! You stupid old bastard!
What do you think
you're doing?
Sorry George,
what did you say?
Do you know what time it is?
I'm sorry, I've got a heck
of a lot to get done today.
And you know what they say.
"The early bird catches the worm".
Well, if you do this again,
one more time, I'm calling the cops.
And how about
mowing your lawns?
Is a bloody disgrace
to the neighborhood.
Oh, alright.
Hi, kid.
Here we are, the...
perfect recipe...
two of Chevy...
one of Ford.
I think those '36 Chevy pistons...
must have a touch of titanium
or something in them.
They come up real good,
you know.
Hey the kettle's boiling.
Make yourself useful,
make some tea.
Can we have a biscuit too?
- What?
- Can I have a Gingernut?
Yeah, you know where they are,
help yourself.
Now you stay over there,
stay there.
- Right.
- What are you doing for Christmas, Burt?
Christmas? I don't know.
Why?
Are you angling
for a present or something?
- No, I wondered if you were going away.
- No...
no time for Christmas, lad.
Got a lot of work to do.
I only managed twenty seven
test runs this year.
You know, twenty four on the beach
and three on the road.
All illegal like.
I was going a bit over the speed limit,
I'll have to admit.
- How fast were you going?
- I don't know, I haven't a clue.
Thas why I have to get up
to Bonneville.
Found out how fast she will go.
Now, there you go.
Got to get the piston out
of the mould...
and Bob's your uncle.
Right, this is...
the last part
of the operation now.
To chill the metal.
It heat treats it.
Right, watch yourself.
Thas where I got the water
for the kettle from.
Well, you know, it gives the tea
a nice tang of titanium, doesn't it?
Now this bloke,
he once asked me...
"How do you heat treat your pistons?"
And I said: "I don't, mate"...
I just, you know, bung them
in cold water and Bob's your uncle".
And he said:
"Well, thas the heat treatment"...
and he just laughed and
shook his head and walked away like.
Well, look this could be
the perfect piston.
It blooming well ought to be,
I've made hundreds of them.
Look at them all up there,
all blown to smithereens.
- You made all those?
- Yeah, I did. Look perfect.
Beautiful, no inclusions see?
Now Tommy, does your mother have
a carving knife I could borrow?
Carving knife? Yeah?
Yeah.
I need a good sharp knife.
Hang on.
- Thomas, what are you up to?
- Nothing, Mum.
Can I have some bread
and peanut butter?
Ok, but make sure you put everything
away when you've finished.
Sorry about that.
Tom.
- Don't forget the wood.
- No, Mum.
Right.
I hope to get as much...
rubber off as possible.
It has to be perfectly bald,
like that, you see.
- Why's that?
- Well, at high speed...
the centrifugal force...
expands the tyre and...
it rubs against
the frame of the bike.
Have to be careful not to cut
through the cords though.
- Why do you pee on your lemon tree?
- What?
Why do you pee on your
lemon tree?
- Who says I do that?
- Mum says she sees you...
every morning and
she goes on and on about it.
Does she?
Well, is good for it. You shouldn't
waste anything in this world, sonny.
- Well, I'd better be off home.
- Alright then.
Mum gets a bit cross if
I stay over here too long.
She does.
- Are you finished with the knife?
- Not yet, I'll drop it by later.
No, don't do that,
I'll pick it up after school tomorrow.
Alright.
- Bye.
- Cheerio.
- Burt Munro.
- Yeah.
I believe you have
my carving knife.
- Oh yes.
- And my sharpener.
Hang on, here we are.
Well, thanks a lot, love.
G'day Frank. How are you?
Oh not bad, could be better,
could be worse.
I see your front tyre's going
a bit flat on you there, Burt.
Yeah, well, the good news is,
is only flat on the bottom.
I'll see you tomorrow night
for the fun and games.
Ill be a good one.
Hello, Fran.
- Give us the lot will you? The usual.
- One pension check. Coming up.
Fran...
I want to ask you a question,
the answer to which is...
a definite yes.
- Alright, Fran?
- Alright.
Yes.
What is the question, Burt?
Would you feel inclined to,
you know, accompany...
an impeccable young gentleman
to a local do tomorrow night?
You're asking me on a date,
Burt Munro?
Well, yeah, I suppose
I am actually, aren't I?
- Would you?
- You're on.
- Hello, son.
- Hey, Burt.
Thas disgusting.
It is, isn't it?
All dressed up
for the do tonight...
and I couldn't get
my best shoes on...
because my toe nails had grown
like oyster shells.
Alright...
this should do the trick.
There, look at that.
Little twinkle toes.
- Thanks, Burt.
- Right on.
- Evening, Burt.
- Thank you...
- this is Fran.
- Hello, Fran.
Thank you very much.
- Hello, Duncan.
- Burt.
Just going to say hello and be back
in a second, love, alright?
- How are you?
- Bike going well?
Yeah, not too bad.
- Happy birthday, Burt.
- Thanks a lot, mate.
This is a bit of
a surprise, isn't it?
Would you like to buy
a raffle ticket or two?
- Whas it for?
- Porky the Pig plus two dozen beers.
We're raising money to send
Burt to the USA. Our mate, Burt.
Hello. Come on and dance.
- Whas this? The twist?
- This is the twist. You know the twist?
Come twist with me.
See you can twist.
- Thas it, thas it.
- This must be it, the atomic invasion.
Then the air clears
and the dust settles down.
You look outside,
have they leveled the town?
But there, in the yard...
so briskly alive...
stands Burt Munro's trusty...
old Indian Scout '45.
That was a wonderful
tribute to Burt.
Now come on Burt, we want you up
on stage, come on...
come on, up you come.
I hope all of you have bought
a raffle ticket tonight...
because we believe Burt will put
the Southland Motorcycle Club...
on the map.
Whas going on out there?
Get out of here.
Oh, dear.
Well folks, it looks like
I've cracked it, I've um you know.
You Burt Munro?
- What did he say?
- I said, are you Burt Munro?
Are you looking for old Burt?
I don't know,
anyone seen Burt anywhere?
Anyone seen Burt?
- No, he's...
- You are, you're Burt Munro.
You're the old codger,
rides the Army Indian right?
That old joker.
Burt Munro. Yeah.
Yeah, thas me I think.
Now the, ah, young fella,
the army Indian is a real dog...
what I've got is the...
genuine article,
the 1920 V twin Scout.
- Thas the one with the pedals, right?
- Don't put up with that, Burt.
No, well. Well, I don't know what sort of
push bikes you monkeys came into town on...
but I know my old timer would trash
the backsides of whatever they are.
- I don't think so, granddad.
- No.
Well, why don't you chaps
put your money where your mouth is?
You're on. You old coot.
- Looks like they've chickened out, Burt.
- What?
- Looks like they've chickened out.
- They're here.
They're here.
Thas nice of them
to show up isn't it?
A hundred says
the Indian comes last.
Right.
Come on, Burt.
Ready, steady...
go.
Come on, give me a push.
- Come on.
- Come on, Burt.
Give me a push.
Come on, push hard.
Bugger it.
Bugger it.
Come on! Go!
Bugger!
Nice bike, granddad.
Loser.
Thanks, fellas.
- Better luck next time.
- Better luck, Burt.
There you go.
- Well, thanks, love.
- Careful, is hot.
Well, at least I gave them
a good run for their money.
On the downward leg anyway.
Burt... Whas it going to cost
to get over to America?
Sorry, love.
What did you say?
How much is it gonna cost
to get over to America?
I don't know,
about two thousand I'm told.
And how much money
have you got now?
Apart from today's disaster
and the dough from last and you know...
the pension money
I've been saving...
I'm about twelve hundred and 75 dollars,
United States dollars, I reckon.
Well, I could lend you some money.
Thas very kind of you Fran love, but no.
I couldn't do that love. No, thanks.
Well, there must be
something you can do.
Well, I haven't told anyone
else this, Fran, but...
I don't reckon I'll be gonna Bonneville.
I reckon not this year anyway and...
you know, seven hundred dollars
is a lot of money to find...
and the boat leaves in five days.
Except I would like to see
how fast she would really go...
before I fall off the perch as it were.
Before I ah, kicked the old bucket.
Hello, Lloyd.
Gidday, Burt.
Shame about the fall.
Well, I'm still
in one piece aren't I?
Good,
what are you having tonight?
Specialty of the house,
pea, pie and pud.
- Thas five bob.
- Alright.
Burt? Why don't you take out
a mortgage on your house?
- What house?
- Well, your property.
I mean is worth something.
Here you are.
Burt Munro,
look at the color of your hands.
- Whas the matter with them.
- You're gonna wash those mitts...
before you put them
anywhere near me.
There we are.
Wakee, wakee.
Time to rise...
and shine.
Burt, you're a sweetie.
Got to get out of here before
the neighbors spot me.
Burt, this tastes a bit odd.
Is metallic.
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
Oh, crikey!
What?
I've got a pain in my chest.
He's in the shed, hurry.
Mum, Dad,
something's happened to Burt.
Burt, whas wrong with you?
I'll be alright Tommy,
don't worry about me.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah.
What are you all staring at?
Dirty old men need love too.
- Mr. Munro.
- Hello.
So, whas the story, Doc?
- I'm sorry, is not good news.
- Oh, yeah. Well, fire away.
You've had an attack of angina.
You have arterial sclerosis.
And whas that?
Is a narrowing
of the arteries from the heart.
Oh, dear.
Yeah, I'm afraid there's not too much
we can do for you at your age...
other than suggesting you
take it easy.
Look if you have another attack,
pop one of these under your tongue...
let it dissolve
and then swallow the saliva.
The pain should be gone
in thirty seconds.
- Yeah, what do you call these things?
- Trinitrate pills.
Um better known as nitro glycerine.
- The stuff you blow things up with.
- Yes, but in much smaller quantities.
Alright.
Will this have any affect on
me riding my bike?
Unfortunately, I think your
motorcycling days are over.
Like hell they are.
It won't be much longer.
Springfield.
Springfield.
Thas where the Indians come from.
- Indians?
- Yeah, the Indians...
from Springfield,
Massachusetts.
The worls greatest
motorcycle.
- Is that so?
- Thas right.
- You can come through now.
- Alright, thank you.
Yeah, Springfield.
The plan is for me
to drive up to Timaru and...
then me and my bike...
will catch a boat to the US of A to...
Los Angeles,
and the boat leaves on Saturday.
And I'll buy a car
in Los Angeles...
and drive up to Utah,
to the Bonneville Salt Flats.
- Is really important you do this trip?
- Sure is mate, you know.
Ever since I was a lad I've been
interested in things that go fast...
you know things
that rolls and go and...
at Bonneville things go real fast.
Is...
this giant dried up lake bed...
and it goes for miles
and miles and is dead flat...
and you can drive a vehicle just
as fast as it will go and is.
So is one of the few places
on earth...
where you can find out just what
you're machine is capable of.
In fact here I'm on the, thas me on the
front of the New Zealand Motorcyclist.
Thas the Indian there.
- Very good!
- Yeah, a few years ago.
So I'd best be off soon...
because I don't know how much longer
I've got to live you see.
Yes, I don't think
I heard that last statement.
I said I don't know
how much longer I've got to live.
I heard you the first time.
So... tell me, Burt.
What are you offering
as collateral for this loan?
Well, my tools, my bits and pieces, my
trophies and a lot of things like this.
Well, I don't think they'd be
of much interest to the bank...
I think we'd be looking for
something more substantial.
Something like the deed
of title to your property.
- Did you get the money?
- Yep, I'm off on Thursday.
Thursday? That soon?
I wish I could come too.
Oh, maybe next time.
Thomas. Is dinner time.
Come home now.
- Nearly finished, Mrs. Jackson.
- Yeah, Mum, we're almost finished.
See you after dinner, Burt.
Alright, lad.
Hey, not so fast.
I'm the record breaker.
Where are you going?
And thas the...
before I put the...
you know, the streamliner on it.
Whas that one?
Thas a girlfriend of mine
when I first bought the bike.
It was a long time ago that was.
Aren't you scared you'll kill
yourself if you crash?
No...
you...
live more in five minutes
on a bike like this...
going flat out than some people
live in a lifetime.
And...
yeah, more in five minutes.
Thas my Dad there.
And my mum.
They're all gone.
God, is gone by so fast!
You know,
danger is the spice of life...
and you've got to take a risk every now
and again haven't you, son?
You know thas
what makes life worthwhile.
And you know,
having some nice ladies around...
will you pick out my bike?
- You really don't get scared?
- No, no.
You know...
when I was a boy
about your age...
I had a little twin brother
whose name was Ernie...
and one day our Dad was out
the back cutting down a tree...
and...
suddenly it got hung up, the tree
that is, it got stuck on something and...
Ernie went to go and help.
All of a sudden the tree...
slipped and fell on him
and killed him stone dead.
I always remember that.
Anyway, since then I've always tried
never to be scared of anything.
Although I must say before...
a big bike event I do
sometimes get nervous, you know...
if the butterflies
in my stomach were cows...
I'd be able to start
a dairy farm.
Thas funny.
When they took you off in the ambulance
to the hospital. What happened?
I don't know, just a touch
of indigestion I think.
Yeah, thas all it was. There's nothing
wrong with me, don't you worry about me.
And anyway at my age...
any day above ground
and vertical is a good day.
Listen, you take care
of this until I get back alright?
- What happens if you don't come back?
- We'll talk about that then shan't we.
- Hey, Burt?
- Yeah.
Don't forget
to mow your lawns will you?
- What?
- Don't forget to mow your lawns.
My Dad goes on and on about it.
He does, does he?
He says it lowers the property
values of the neighborhood.
Well, oh dear,
we can't have that can we?
What are you doing?
Hello, son.
I'm just getting rid of the grass.
Burt, what the hell
are you doing this time?
Oh, like you said George
I'm getting rid of the grass...
being a good neighbor
before I leave tomorrow.
Tom, Tom!
Get back inside now!
Now!
Honestly, Burt!
- What are they doing here?
- It might be the fire, Burt.
Right, the tyre goes in first.
Thas it.
Thas it, Jeff. You've got it.
This goes in here.
Pills...
license, passport.
Right, les see,
I've got everything?
Spectacles, testicles,
watch and wallet.
What are you laughing at?
I'm on my way.
- Dad says to call us collect.
- What?
Dad says to call us collect.
- Thas nice of him.
- Tell us how you get on.
Thank you.
Thas our phone number.
- Do you think you'll break the record?
- Well, I hope so.
Dad doesn't think
you can do it.
Is that what he said?
He said everyone thinks that.
Well...
Except me.
You're a good boy, Tom.
I'll tell you something, son.
If you don't follow through on your
dreams, you might as well be a vegetable.
What type of vegetable?
I don't know...
a cabbage.
Yeah...
a cabbage.
There you are.
Don't lose it, will you?
- I promise I'll look after it.
- Right.
So keep an eye on the place
for me won't you, Tom.
And...
don't forget
to feed the fowls.
- Thas my job.
- Yeah.
And...
you can give
the eggs to Mum and...
what else is there?
Oh, yes...
you can pee on my lemon tree
for me if you like, while I'm away.
And there's nothing wrong
with peeing on your lemon tree...
as Confucius used to say, is the best
natural fertilizer in the world.
- Who's Confucius?
- He's some bloke who lives up in Dunedin.
Thanks for you help, chaps.
- Good luck, Burt.
- Thanks, Jeff.
- You show them over there in the States.
- I will.
Take it easy, Burt.
Thas not one of the things
I'm planning on doing, George.
Cheerio, love.
Good luck.
Cheerio, my friend.
If you don't go when you wanna go
when you do go, you'll find you're gone.
- I'll see ya.
- See ya, Burt.
Bye, Burt.
- Good luck.
- Cheerio.
See ya, Burt.
Look at that!
Well, Fran,
I'm finally on my way.
I thought some more
of the blokes from the club...
would have dropped
by to see me off.
Well, they probably had
to work today.
Yeah. Yeah, thas right.
Yeah, young Tom tells me...
that no one thinks
I can do it.
- Do you think I can do it, Fran?
- I don't know, Burt.
I don't think it really matters
one way or the other.
You know, I read something once,
years ago.
I learnt it off by heart.
It was Theodore Roosevelt
said it...
is not
the critic that counts...
not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles...
or where the doer of deeds
could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man
who is actually in the arena.
Wind your window down!
Down.
What?
Some beer money.
- What?
- Some beer money.
I don't drink.
Good luck.
- You go well.
- Thanks, mate.
Show them Kiwi's can fly.
Yeah, I'll bring you back
the Statue of Liberty.
Good on you mate,
thanks a lot.
Hey, not so fast!
Crikey!
Take it easy, mate!
I thought it was a goner.
Better get going.
Yeah, alright...
take care of the old jalopy,
won't you?
- You look after yourself.
- I will.
You've got your pills
and everything, right?
Yeah, yeah, right as rain.
- You come back in one piece.
- I will, cheerio.
Where's the Captain?
Down below.
- Down the gangway there.
- Thanks.
There we are.
I'm looking for the Captain.
Thas me.
My name's Burt Munro.
I'm supposed to do a job to work
my passage to Los Angeles.
- Yeah, well, I hope you can cook.
- Cook?
- I'll give it a go.
- There's the galley.
Crikey!
Who does the dishes, mate?
You.
Smells good.
What do you have
for us today, Burt?
Is good Kiwi tucker.
Don't let Burt see you
doing that.
Here, don't spoil it
with all that sauce.
- Sorry, Burt.
- Stone the crows!
Are you going to watch
the movie, Burt?
- Whas that?
- Are you going to watch the movie?
- Whas it called?
- Broken Barrier.
- Is supposed to be good.
- Is Jane Russell in it?
There's a spare seat
over here, Burt.
Smoke?
- No. Not for me, mate.
- You don't smoke Burt?
No, I don't
and thas why people say to me...
how do you keep going
at your age, Burt...
and I say,
well because I don't smoke...
so I'm telling you young monkeys,
don't smoke.
You can laugh,
but my Dad said...
why contaminate your lungs
with tobacco smoke?
The only thing you accomplish with
smoking is destroying your lungs...
- and shortening your life.
- Kill the lights.
Is Jane Russell in this?
Go well, Burt.
- Thanks, mate.
- Not for this.
- Good luck to you, Burt.
- Thanks.
Remember what I said.
Don't smoke.
I'm trying.
Cheerio, mates. See ya.
Welcome to the United States.
Customs to the left.
Thank you, good to be here.
G'day.
G'day.
Please, stand behind the yellow line
until you are called, sir.
Whas that?
- Behind the yellow line.
- Yellow line?
G'day.
Passport and customs declaration,
please sir.
There you are.
How long do you intend
to stay in the United States?
However long it takes me to get
to Bonneville and back.
And the purpose of your visit?
To set a land speed record
on my Indian.
Indian?
Mr. Munro...
- So this is your first time to America?
- Yes, sir.
You gave some rather odd answers
to the Officer...
so we just have a few further
questions we'd like to ask you.
- Well, fire away.
- Well, les go over again what you said.
Now what exactly do you intend to do
here in the United States?
Well, set a land speed record.
- And how do you intend to do that, sir?
- On my motorcycle.
Is in the hold of the ship
at the moment and...
they're going to unload it tomorrow.
Is an Indian, a 1920 Indian Scout...
modified somewhat.
You know what?
- I think I've read about your bike.
- Yeah?
Yeah, it was in Popular Mechanics,
a couple of years ago.
Thas right, thas me.
A Leslie Hobbs from Christchurch
sent that story.
What was it?
Fastest motorcycle in Australia?
Yeah, and in New Zealand.
Well, I guess you're legitimate,
Mr. Munro.
It sounds like we should be very
honored to have you here in America.
- Well, thank you.
- We're going to give you six months...
that should be time enough
to get the job done.
- Welcome to the USA.
- Thank you very much.
- Good luck, sir.
- Thank you.
- Gears in the trunk.
- What?
Bags in the back.
Bag, back!
Don't worry about me,
I'll do it myself.
Strewth!
Sit in the back, in the back!
- What?
- You, in the back!
Tell you something, mate,
you don't want to get old around here.
Ta ra.
- Where to?
- What?
- Where to?
- Hollywood.
Yeah, I want to go to Hollywood,
I want to see the film stars.
Okay, we go to Hollywood.
Where in Hollywood?
A motel on Sunset Boulevard...
I hear thas a pretty great street.
I don't know who you talking to lately.
Which motel?
I don't know...
a recommended one.
Come on man, what do you think
I am, an encyclopedia?
Drop me somewhere
and I'll sort it out myself.
Must have a bit
electricity bill here.
Firestone...
Shell.
Is all about cars, isn't it?
I've never seen so many cars.
- You say something, man?
- I said I've never seen so many cars.
Got to get around somehow.
Look, there's a bowling alley.
Do you bowl?
Whas he honking his horn about?
Jesus!
Crikey, did you see that?
That blokes backing into that
geaser's car.
He's crazy, he's nuts.
He did it again.
Don't stare, there's a lot of
crazy people in this town.
I've never seen anything
like that before.
- This should do...
- Whas the damage?
US$28, plus bag...
- US$29.
- What?
Did you just say
what I thought you said?
- Are you deaf?
- What?
- Are you deaf?
- Yeah, I am a bit deaf, but I'm not stupid.
- How much did you say it was?
- US$29.
No, I don't want to buy the cab, mate.
I just want to pay the fare, thas all.
- Where you from?
- What?
- You a British?
- No, you must be joking...
I'm no Pommie,
I'm from New Zealand.
Well, this is America.
And the fare, right there on the meter,
US$29.
Open your wallet
and let the moths out.
I'm doing it, I'm doing it.
There you go, US$29.
- No, don't forget the tip.
- What?
Yes, we tip in America.
Ten percent.
- How much?
- Ten percent.
Oh yeah, there you go, ten cents.
Excuse me, sir.
- You look like a generous man, sir.
- What?
- You look like a generous man.
- Oh do I?
Yes you do. Would you like to buy
a flower to give to someone special?
Well,
sorry I don't have any cash.
Don't worry,
the money goes to a good cause.
Is for an organization
that helps needy people.
Oh alright, well, how much is it?
- Just give what you can afford.
- Alright, well.
They all look the same to me.
They're all green.
- Yes, thas why we call them green backs.
- That looks like a one.
- Look there's one.
- No, thas a ten.
- Thanks, you have a good day.
- No, thas a ten.
Hey come on miss, thas a ten.
I didn't want to pay that much.
Hey, come back.
- Hey baby.
- What do you want?
- You wanna go?
- Go where?
- Go inside.
- I'm going inside.
I'll take you around the world.
I've just come from halfway
around the world.
15 bucks, baby.
15 bucks.
No, sorry, go away.
Hello.
- I need a room.
- A room will cost you five bucks an hour.
I'm planning on staying
a wee bit longer than that.
- How long?
- I don't know, a couple of days I guess.
- Double occupancy?
- What?
Double occupancy?
No, just me, myself and I.
Will it cost a lot because
I can't afford a lot.
- You a member of Triple A?
- What?
- Are you a Triple A member?
- Never heard of them.
Never heard of Triple A?
No Miss Brittle Britches,
I have not heard of Triple A.
Okay, les just say
you are a member doll.
- Alright.
- Thall save you ten percent.
How does 22 bucks a night sound?
That much? Is that cheap?
Honey, thas cheaper than cheap.
- Whas your name?
- Tina Washington.
Well, Tina Washington,
I want you to have this,
it might cheer you up a bit.
Get some of that muck
off your pluck.
Well, thank you.
Thas the first nice thing
thas happened round here all week.
You're welcome.
My name's Burt Munro.
From New Zealand.
I'm from down under.
Well, hello, Burt Munro
from New Zealand down under.
I tell you,
I've had a heck of a night.
Welcome to Hollyweird.
Hello?
Anybody home?
- Hello, Tina.
- Good morning, Burt.
You still here?
Thas why you were
so crabby last night.
Don't you ever get any sleep?
I work a night shift.
I'm out of here as soon as James
turns up and he's late.
Yeah, could you phone
this number for me?
Yeah, is a shipping company
and they've got a big box of mine...
and I want to know how
to arrange to get it.
No, you talk to them,
they'll never get my accent.
Okay, what do you want me
to ask them? One moment please.
Ask them when a Burt Munro's box
containing the motorcycle...
will be ready for pick up.
Hello, I'm calling
for Mr. Burt Munro.
Yes, he'd like to know when the box
containing his motorcycle...
- will be available for pick up.
- What ship?
- What ship?
- Rangatira from New Zealand.
The Rangatira from New Zealand.
- Is arrived.
- So he can claim it?
Tomorrow from the Long Beach
customs holding area.
Okay, thank you, I'll tell him.
Bye-bye.
That was pretty fast.
You're late.
I can't stand another minute in
this place. Let me buy you breakfast.
Well, this is great.
You know, I've never seen
a menu with photographs before.
- Are you ready to order, sir?
- What?
- Are you ready?
- Oh yes...
I think the Double Delight,
thas for me.
- How would you like your eggs?
- What?
How would you like your eggs?
Well, I'd like them cooked.
Sunny side up? Over easy?
- I don't know, whatever you recommend.
- Over easy's best.
Alright, eggs over easy.
Make that two.
Over easy.
I must remember that.
Yeah, I like this American
breakfast thing.
Is good.
So my girl, where's the best place
for me to get a used car?
The Valley.
After breakfast I could
take you there.
Oh Well, thank you.
And I'm not a girl.
I'm a boy.
I thought there was something
a little odd about you.
But hey,
you're still a sweetheart.
Yep.
Thanks a million, Tina.
Hey,
there are stacks of cars here.
- I'll be back in the motel later on.
- Bye.
Bye.
How may I help you, sir?
Yeah, I want to buy a car,
a cheap car, a very cheap car.
Well, you've come
to the right place, amigo.
In fact, if you can find cars like this
any cheaper, they're probably stolen.
My name's Burt, Burt Munro
from New Zealand. Nice to meet you.
I'm Fernando from El Salvador,
nice to meet you, Mr. Munro.
- You can call me Burt.
- Alright, Mr. Burt.
So how much were you looking
to spend here Mr. Burt?
Not a lot Fernando...
I haven't got much left after
the cab ride I took yesterday.
You want US$399 for this?
It sounds a bit sick.
Well, what would you offer me?
Listen, I'll give you US$200
if you'll do me a favor.
Through in the use
of your workshop...
and some of that junk
I see lying around...
I've got to knock up
a trailer...
to drag my bike over
to Bonneville.
Thas not a favor,
US$325 is a favor.
No, US$225.
You're a tough customer, Mr. Burt,
but I like you...
I'm going to give it to you for US$250
and you can use the workshop...
but only at night
and keep the noise down.
What about tonight?
Yeah, yeah, tonighs ok.
Stop the car, les get
this thing running properly.
There that sounds better.
- Let me drive.
- Okay, come on.
She's singing
like a bird now.
Oh, she's a good old girl,
isn't she?
There we are, alright.
- You make a left here, Mr. Burt.
- Alright.
The buggers are in the wrong lane.
Stop the car, stop the car.
Turn, turn, this way.
Stop, stop the car.
Keep your shirt on.
- Scoot over, you stupid old bastard.
- Thought I was back in New Zealand...
we drive on the other side
of the road over there.
Yeah? You're going to get
us all killed.
Well, you're not in New Zealand,
you're in America.
- I know it.
- We drive on the right side of the road.
Burt.
Let me give you some advice.
When you're driving,
not only here in America...
but anywhere's around the world...
the driver should always
be in the centre of the road.
In the centre.
If you're not in the centre...
you're on the wrong side of the road.
Okay?
You want this right here?
Thas it.
Yeah, good.
Got it.
Is 3 am in the morning.
Yeah, time flies
when you're having fun, doesn't it?
You know, when I told you that
you could use the workshop at night...
I didn't mean all night.
My wife's gonna kill me.
You take yourself off home
and I'll have a snooze...
in the back of the car
and you know, mate...
I'll lock up the place
before I go to sleep.
Seems to me a whole lot of effort
to sell a lousy US$250 motorcar.
Okay, Mr. Burt, you pull the door down.
Have a good night.
Fernando.
Where do I take a leak around here?
- Leak?
- Yeah, a pee...
trouble with the old prostrate,
you know.
Yeah, go straight through those doors,
there's a door there that says Caballero...
Alright.
Well, I'll see you in the morning,
early okay?
Good night.
Where were we?
Burt?
Good morning, Mr. Burt.
- So did you get it all finished?
- Yeah.
All I need to do is find a couple
of wheels and I'll be ready to roll.
Well, you know, I have some wheels
in the back you can have...
- if you just do me a favor.
- Say the word.
Crank her now, Fernando.
Good.
- Burt?
- Yeah?
You're a god damned genius.
Thank you.
Hey listen, why you gotta go?
Why don't you stick around here a while?
I'll pay you well.
Sorry, mate, I've got to get
to Bonneville by the 23rd...
thas when speed week starts and
you know, gotta hit the road.
- Well, you've always got a job here.
- Thanks mate, I'll see ya.
- Best of luck to you.
- Ta ra.
This guy is really good.
Hello, love.
I was worried about you.
Housekeeping said you didn't
sleep in your bed all night.
Do I get a discount for that?
I doubt it.
I need you to show me on a map
how to get to Long Beach...
- so I can pick up my bike today.
- I'm finished here in 15 minutes.
I'll come with you.
Not a bad set of wheels
for 250 bucks eh?
- You sure ill make it to Utah?
- Yeah.
This old girl will get you
to New Zealand and back.
Here...
- hop in my fair, lady.
- Thank you.
The bloke who sold me this car,
he gave me a good tip...
he said always remember
that the driver, thas me...
should be on the centre
of the road.
- Look out, look out!
- Alright.
In New Zealand we always drive
on the other side of the street.
- You do?
- Yeah, sorry about that.
Do you want me to drive?
No, is alright,
I have to get used to it, haven't I?
This should be customs
right here.
Right.
- Hello.
- May I help you, sir?
Yeah, my name's Burt Munro and
I've come to pick up my motorcycle...
I came into port two days ago
from New Zealand...
and on a freighter
called Rangatira...
and I was told to come here
to clear it through customs.
- Mr. Munro.
- Yeah, Munro...
M U N R O.
- Wait here a moment, sir.
- Thank you.
Mr. Munro is here
for that damaged shipment.
- Mr. Moonro.
- Munro.
- Come with me please, to the storage area.
- Is there a problem?
Your consignment
has suffered some damage.
Oh, no.
Why the heck did I bother to paint
these arrows on the side of it then?
Thas the way it was
delivered here unfortunately.
Well, what happened to it?
My information is that
ten tons of fertilizer...
was inadvertently
loaded on top of your box...
while it was in the hold. If I was
you I'd sue the shipping company.
Sue? I haven't got time to waste
my bloomin' life suing anybody.
Get some of your blokes to pull...
this right side up so
we can get into the motorcycle...
and see what damage
has been done.
Alright, fellows,
les get it unwrapped.
The tail looks alright.
No damage so far.
Oh no damage at all.
Good.
- Lucky it was packed so well.
- Yes, is a blimmin' miracle.
Well, the old Indian lives
to fight another day.
Well, thanks a million, Tina.
I don't know what I would have done
without you today...
you're the real salt of the earth,
you know?
Are you sure you wouldn't like
to come home for dinner tonight?
- I can't, love.
- I could cook you a meal.
I've got to get this show on the road,
get out of Dodge as they say.
Okay, my good friend
from Kiwi land.
- You stay in touch, won't you?
- I will.
Here's my phone number.
- Call me and tell me how you're doing.
- I will. Can I call collect?
You can try.
- Is a good job I think you're a woman.
- I am a woman.
Yeah, right. Ta ra love, see ya.
- Morning.
- Morning.
Fill her up, would you please?
Regular or Ethol?
Who's Ethol?
Alright...
I'll take Ethol.
- Hello, young fella.
- Hello.
- Is this a rocket ship?
- What?
Is this a rocket ship?
I hope so.
Oh Gosh.
Whas happened to you?
Oh well.
Les have a look at ya.
Got ya!
Come on!
I thought we were going
to make it you and me...
and now look whas happened.
- Hello, mate.
- Got a problem?
Yeah. Am I glad to see you.
Yeah, I've lost a wheel, help me get
my rig back on the road, will you?
Okay, I'll see.
My name's Burt, Burt Munro.
Jake.
- You Indian?
- Yes.
Well, this here could be
the worls fastest Indian.
Well, at least until just now.
She's a bit heavy mind you.
So les take it easy,
one, two, three.
Right.
You live around here, Jake?
What do you want to ride
that contraption for?
Thas a good question.
Well, I guess the reward
is in the doing of it.
Jake, I'm dying for a pee.
Where do I go?
There's a little building
right there.
I've got a touch of prostrate
trouble now.
I have similar problems.
I thought you blokes would have...
some magic cures
for that sort of thing.
Well, we have.
One old remedy is ground up
dog balls...
- but I prefer prostrate trouble.
- Yeah, I bet you do, mate.
I got you!
Jake, gotta get going,
gotta hit the road.
- Burt, I have something for you.
- Whats that then?
Whats this?
- For good luck.
- Oh yeah?
I've never worn jewellery before.
Thanks, mate.
I've got something for you too,
hang on about.
Right...
lets see.
I've got this, is a spare one,
I made it myself.
- What do I do with this?
- You got a hacksaw?
Just slice the top of it,
through where the gudgeon pin goes...
and ill make a great ash tray.
Not that I approve of smoking,
mind you.
- Thank you very much.
- Thanks a lot, mate. So long.
- Sorry we couldn't fix your trailer.
- Thas alright, I'll get there somehow.
Burt?
What?
For the prostrate.
Use with water,
plenty of water.
It tastes bad. Really bad.
Dogs balls huh?
Well, thanks a lot mate.
See ya.
Hello.
Anyone home?
Hello.
Hello, there.
I've got a spot of bother
with my trailer, lost a wheel.
- You're not from around these parts.
- No, I'm from down there.
- What?
- I'm from down under...
The other side of the world,
New Zealand.
Southern most city
in the British Empire.
Called Invercargill.
One of the most beautiful
cities on Earth.
Name's Burt Munro.
Burt? Ada.
- What?
- Ada.
There she is.
We got some problems here,
yes sirree.
I tell you what you need to do.
Cannibalize the stuffed axel
out of that old Ford right there.
Lucky for you
I've got some welding gear.
- We'll get a new wheel on there pronto.
- Good.
Thas got it.
When you are...
finished there...
I've got something that
I want to show you.
Yeah, whas that?
Never you mind.
You just get that wheel on
there right.
Why'd you bring me out here?
I want to show you this.
What?
Right here.
I laid my old boy to rest
twelve years ago next week.
I sure miss him.
I sure do miss the old boy.
He did his level best.
He did.
I always figured a man's
like a blade of grass...
he grows up in the spring,
strong and healthy and green...
and then he reaches middle age
and he ripens as it were and...
in the autumn they,
like a blade of grass...
he finishes just fades away
and he never comes back.
Just like a blade of grass.
I think when you're dead,
you're dead.
I've always thought that,
since I grew up.
Is that your philosophy?
Well, I don't know,
yeah, I suppose it is...
when you get to my age these
thoughts cross your mind sometimes.
Jump!
Jump!
Sideways, you fool,
sideways!
My God, man, haven't you ever
seen a snake before?
No, we don't get snakes
in New Zealand.
Good God,
I ought to move there.
- Where's he going?
- Damn rattlers!
- Any more around here? Oh, God.
- Fancy this?
You come all this way
to bite the dust up at Boot Hill?
That would be a laugh,
wouldn't it?
Be a laugh.
There you go, there you go.
Oh, my God!
Where you gonna sleep tonight?
I don't know, I've no idea.
I don't know.
I had a strange dream
last night.
I dreamt about my late...
twin brother, Ernie.
I thought he was in the room here
looking down on us.
I guess is all
that fun and games...
at the graveyard.
I suppose.
Oh, well.
Getting old ain't for the faint
of heart I'll tell you that.
Oh, God. What have you done
to my back, Ada?
I am getting old.
Come on old girl, make me a cup of tea,
I've got to hit the road.
Ada, come on, you haven't died
in our sleep, have you, old girl?
- Make me a cup of tea.
- Come here, lover boy.
I'll make it myself.
Thanks.
Now Burt, you promise me you're going
to pop in on your way back...
because I can always use
another little cuddle.
Yeah, thas what I said, Ada,
thas what I intend to do.
There's many good tune played on
an old Banjo as they say.
- And what we don't use, we lose.
- Well, thas what they say.
See ya. Ta ra, darling.
And you have good luck
with your Indian.
You should say
break a leg.
See ya.
Gidday.
Boy is it hot out there.
I bet the birds fly backwards
around here...
to keep the dust out
of their eyes.
- What can I get you?
- I'd like a cup of tea, please.
- Cup of tea?
- Yeah, best drink...
for quenching the thirst
when the weather's hot.
We haven't seen a cup of tea
in here ever.
We got Coors, we got Schlitz
or Miller or Coke and whiskey.
Well, I'll have coke then.
You know smoking's bad for you,
don't you?
- Is that so?
- Yeah.
Personally I don't smoke
and I don't drink.
I had the right education
from my dad on that one.
He was like King James the first,
great anti-smoking man.
Sounds like you're on a one
man crusade there grandpa.
Yeah, well, you're born with one
pair of lungs so why destroy...
them with that muck?
Where are you from?
Where's your home town?
- You English?
- Heavens no...
I'm no Pommie,
I'm from Invercargill in New Zealand.
- Where?
- Invercargill.
L-N-V-E-R-C-A-R-G-l-L-L.
I spell it with one L
sometimes to save ink.
- Got any of those critters over there?
- Oh yes, much bigger though...
we breed them down there
on big farms...
and we cut off their antlers and
send them over to Hong Kong and they...
grind the antlers into dust
and they eat that stuff...
must be some sort of aphrodisiac
or something.
Puts lead in your pencil.
You could do with some
of that, Leroy.
Your girlfriend?
Wife.
Oh, dear!
You alright?
Did you decide to leave Jackie
a tip after all?
Look sir, if you're not feeling well
you should drop in to the hospital...
in the next town.
Alright.
Roll down your window.
What?
Whas the problem?
You're parked illegally.
- You're a danger to the passing traffic.
- Am I?
- Les see your driver's license.
- Yeah, alright.
Here you are.
- Where are you from?
- From New Zealand.
Thas the land of the
long white cloud. Aotearoa.
Home of the kiwi bird.
Well, I don't care if you're from Mars,
you cannot stop here.
Alright.
You cannot stop on the side of this road,
you're parked illegally.
Okay, well, sorry, I was having
a bit of a heart attack and...
well recovering
from one anyway.
Yeah, well, next time,
how about we stop at a proper rest area.
Yeah, alright, okay.
Name's Burt Munro.
Sorry about that.
Oil's OK.
- Thank you.
- Thas alright, sir.
Excuse me.
- Hi, there.
- Hi.
Listen, I was wondering
if I could catch a ride?
My car, she just broke down and I'm
really trying to get to Salt Lake City.
I'm only going as far as Wendover,
thas where I'm stopping.
Well, anything would be
better than nothing.
- Ain't that the truth? Hop in, mate.
- Hey, thank you.
I'm going to go see
my girlfriend...
she just moved from LA
to Salt Lake, so.
I'm home on leave from 'Nam.
- What?
- Vietnam?
Oh, yeah.
Hey, what is that you've
got strapped on back there?
That, young fellow,
is an Indian.
Motorcycle.
So what are you doing
in Vietnam?
I'm involved
in operation ranch hand.
Oh, whas that?
Farming or something?
No, not exactly,
we just started this program...
we are spraying the jungle
from the air with herbicides...
so the enemy, the Vietcong,
don't have any place to hide.
Agent Orange we call this stuff,
it comes in these big old orange drums.
How is it working out?
Well, I'm home on two months leave
and I've got to get my arse back there.
We should have this war done in 6 months
or so, thas what they keep telling us.
Can't wait to get my arse out of there
to tell you the truth.
Yeah, I remember
the Great War in 1914...
I was about your age and
thas what they kept telling everyone.
Soon be over.
20 million dead and four years later
it was still going on.
Not as bad
as the big flu epidemic though.
Killed 21 million, that did.
Maybe more.
Every day,
when I left to go to work...
my mum would spray some formalin
on my shirt...
and maybe thas why
I didn't catch it.
Or maybe I was just lucky.
You never know.
- Knock on wood.
- Yep.
You know,
life's a funny thing...
you never know
whas around the corner, do you?
Your shaving brush.
Has had is day.
It won't achieve.
The Modern way.
Burma Shave.
"She doesn't kiss ya
like she used to?
Has she seen
some smoother rooster?
Burma Shave.
These signs we dedicate...
to men...
who've had no date of late.
Burma Shave".
Yeah, thas us.
Well, you anyway.
Look at that.
Thas a cowboy and a half.
I was thinking I'd come out
to the Salt with you.
I'd like to be there
the first time you see it...
is only a couple of miles
up the road so.
Yeah, alright then,
that sounds good.
Looks like there's a lot of people
in town for speed week, huh?
Yeah, looks like it.
This is it, Burt.
We're gonna take a left right up here.
Bonneville...
I mean I can't believe it.
I mean I'm here, I've made it.
I've made it.
You know, all my life
I wanted to do something big.
Something better and bigger
than all the other jokers.
This is it, Bonneville.
This is the place
where big things happen.
Do you realize, Rusty, the fastest
man has ever gone on land is here?
Right here, where we are now.
Malcolm Campbell did it here,
with a Bluebird.
First guy to go
over 300 mile an hour...
and then later his son, Donald Campbell
was here with Proteus.
He crashed at 350 mile an hour
and lived to tell the tale.
John Cobb was here.
First guy
to go over 400 mile an hour.
All the great attempts.
George Easton with Thunderbolt and...
Mickey Thompson
with Challenger.
I'm telling you, Rusty,
this place is holy ground, mate.
Holy ground.
And I made it here.
Well, Burt.
Thanks a million.
I'll be looking for you
in the record books.
You take care out there in Vietnam,
won't you?
I'll be trying.
- Okay, mate.
- Drive safe.
- See ya
- See ya.
God.
Jesus.
- Gidday.
- Hey, there.
- Is going to be a great day.
- Yeah.
Still... no wind.
Lovely day for a run.
Sals in good shape.
Yeah. Firm and dry.
Dead flat. No soft patches.
Not like the beach.
I can do it here.
Yep.
This week.
Is what we're here for.
Wow, is that yours?
Yep.
Gosh, she's a beauty.
I bet she goes fast.
- That yours?
- Yeah, thas an old Indian.
My name's Munro, Burt Munro.
- From down under, New Zealand.
- A long way from home.
Jim Moffatt, San Jose,
California.
- Nice to meet you, Burt.
- Good to meet you, Jim.
Les get to the start line.
The race is about to start
and all the racers are excited.
This car is driven by Jim Moffatt,
San Jose, California.
The other pilots are...
- Come on, guys, 15 minutes.
- Come on.
Come on, les go.
- Morning.
- Hello, Burt Munro.
- Mike.
- Hi, Mike.
- Are you checked in?
- No, not yet.
Well, you've got to remove the shell
before we do the tech inspection.
- Where do I check in?
- Is just over there.
- Thanks, fellas.
- Okay.
I gotta see this.
Hello, I've come to check in.
Munro, Burt Munro.
Registration number?
What?
Registration number.
I don't see your number here.
No, is number 35.
Is on the side of my motorcycle
over there, thas my lucky number.
Have you registered?
No, thas what
I've come over for.
These two blokes sent me over here,
Mike and someone else.
Sir, registration closed
last month.
If you haven't registered,
I'm sorry, you just can't run.
I can't run?
Well, how was I supposed to know
I should have pre-registered?
I've come a heck of a long way
to ride my bike.
I'm not going anywhere
until I've done just that.
I've come all the way from New Zealand,
you know. Is a long way.
Look, mister,
we don't make the rules.
An event like this doesn't just happen
in one day, rules are rules.
Entries closed July 31st.
Well, crikey, I live in Invercargill,
is half way round the bloody earth.
How was I supposed to know these things?
I didn't know all this stuff.
Sir, is not our problem.
I thought I could just turn up here
and have my bike timed.
- You don't have to call me...
- Well, you thought wrong.
Jim Moffatt!
Is Burt, Burt Munro.
Can you come over here, mate?
I'll be right back.
I need a bit of help.
Hey, Burt. Whas up?
Well, I have these blokes telling
me I can't run my bike...
because I'm not pre-registered.
- You didn't register?
- No, I didn't know anything about it.
You know how it is Jim,
rules are rules.
- You should have registered months ago.
- I didn't know.
I'll have a talk with these guys later,
see if I can change their minds.
- Your bloos worth bottling.
- I don't know about that.
Look,
we can talk about this later.
Maybe you can let him go
through tech inspection.
Get that out of the way?
Just in case we can let him ride.
You're asking a lot.
Alright.
- Okay.
- Alright.
- Make me proud.
- Thanks a lot.
You give me a bit
of a fright there.
You know these don't look
like high speed tyres.
Well, they are high speed tyres.
Look at these hairline cracks,
these tyres have got to be 25 years old.
- What happened to the tread?
- What?
I said,
what happened to the tread?
Well, I cut it off,
thas what happened to the tread...
I cut it off with a carving knife...
otherwise it wouldn't be
a high speed tyre, would it?
What are you talking about?
Well, you've got to keep the weight in
otherwise when you get to a high speed...
the centrifugal force will
the tread right off, wouldn't it?
I run them on 65 pounds of air and
that tyre's safe up to 300 miles an hour.
I guarantee it. These are high
speed tyres and I made them.
Well, you're going to have
to replace them.
The suspension here is
a leaf spring...
I mean can we pass that?
Geez, last leaf spring on a motorcycle
must have been in the 1920s.
Well, it is 42 years old.
- These brakes look completely inadequate.
- Well, I'm planning on going, not stopping.
Well, the brakes were old
fashioned 40 years ago.
Is this a hinge of a gate post?
No, thas from an old kitchen door.
Let me just ask you what is this?
Is a cork, what does it look like?
Is a cork from a brandy bottle.
You know, the thing is is all about
weight. The less weight, the faster you go.
And where's your chute?
- What?
- Where's your parachute?
I'm not planning on bailing out.
No wait,
you've got to have a safety chute.
Well, I can't afford one.
These forks, if they give out we've
got ourselves some real problems.
I think I'd have a bit of
a problem that way, wouldn't I?
- Where's your fire suit?
- What?
Where's your fire suit?
Good heavens, man,
I don't intend to burst into flames.
Always wear me old suit pants
for good luck.
If they were good enough
to get married in...
they're good enough to ride
this old girl in and no...
I tuck the legs of my pants
into my socks like this...
stop them getting caught
in the chain and Bob's your uncle.
You've got your suit pants,
what are you gonna wear on top?
What?
You've got your suit pants,
what do you intend to wear on top?
Yes, a black woolen shirt, New Zealand
wool, water resistant, fire resistant...
and me bash hat.
Bash hat?
Yeah, crash helmet.
You're crazy, you've got to wear
at least a leather jacket on top.
You put the bike down on the salt,
is like coarse sand paper...
is going to rub
your head right off.
I couldn't get into the shell...
with anything bulkier than the shirt on
my back. Is a very tight fit in there.
Straight out of the ark.
- What did you say?
- Straight out of the ark.
Don't be so cheeky.
Whas your name, young man?
McFarlane. Mike McFarlane.
I knew a McFarlane, he used to sell
milking machines in Timaru.
You must be related to him
because he was a total prick.
Look here, you don't even have
a fire extinguisher installed.
Mike McFarlane used to give me milking
machine parts to make my sprockets with.
How old are you?
I don't know,
he was about 35 when I knew him.
No how old are you?
His brother owned a general store
down in a place called Bulls...
- thas a town in New Zealand.
- Sir, your machine is not safe.
I've been doing this for 43 years
and I'm still here to tell the tale.
Time's change, we started taking
airplanes instead of riding horseback.
- Horse power?
- Horse back. Horse back.
Horse back, yeah.
I got you, yeah.
You're too old.
Bollocks. I may have this saggy skin
on the outside...
but on the inside
I'm still 18 years old...
and I'll give you a run for your money,
young fella.
You need some help?
Hello.
Rollie Free, Marty Dickerson,
we're a couple of bike fans.
- Burt Munro from Kiwi land.
- Pleasure, Burt.
You got me good there.
Where are you staying?
Thas my salubrious
accommodation...
I usually sleep at night
in the back seat.
Salubrious you say Munro, huh?
We've been hearing a lot about you.
Sounds like you're cutting
your finances mighty fine.
Yeah, you could say that again.
We'll we're up at the Western Ridge,
why don't you drop by...
it looks as though you could
use a good shower...
and everybody's staying there and
I bet that there's a spare bed there too.
Thanks a lot, you yanks
are classic you know that?
You don't catch me that easily.
Hey, Burt.
Hello.
The front forks could
go at any time...
the suspension is right out
of the 1920s.
Got hairline cracks all
over his tyres...
he's got no fire extinguisher,
no safety chute.
I told you, if is a time problem, the
old guy's welcome to use some of my time.
Is not a time problem,
is a bike problem.
Well, I think we ought
to let him run.
He came all the way from
New Zealand to do this.
Jim, have you had a good look
at his machine?
All I know is the man's
the genuine article.
Yeah, but the bike is
the genuine dinosaur.
Look, we carry the cans
for the decisions around here.
And if he kills himself and there's
about a 100 to 1 that he will.
Are gonna have a hell
of a lot of trouble on our hands.
Yeah, sounds like we're a bunch
of chicken shits if you want my opinion.
His bike didn't even come close
to passing tech inspection, Jim.
Burt.
Hello, Jim. Come in.
Rollie Free said
I could find you here.
Rollie Free, he's the best,
he's a real gentleman.
He set me up in this place
for nothing.
What are you doing?
Well, the soft shoe polish
fills in the cracks makes the tyres...
Iook spick and span,
good as new.
Cheaper than new ones anyway.
I didn't see that.
Well? Can I run?
I'm sorry, Burt.
Who the heck
do they think they are?
Crikey Jim, you know, I'm not trying
to run a mile in four minutes...
all I've got to do is sit there
and open up the throttle...
I mean, after all
is my ruddy life, isn't it?
Can't you do anything?
I mean, I just want to try and get her
to go over 200 just once thas all...
once I've cracked 200
I'll be quite happy...
to piss off back home to New Zealand
and Bob's your uncle.
You're a well respected man around here,
can you talk to them?
I tried.
You've got as much chance
of writing yourself off as I have...
you know that.
Just talk to them again.
I know they'll listen to you, mate.
Okay Burt, I'll try.
See you tomorrow.
Okay.
I mean I'm half the age of some
of those characters out there.
Whas that?
Thas just indigestion.
Everyone wants us old buggers
to curl up in some quiet corner and die.
Well, Burt Munro's not ready to finish
yet, I'll tell you that, mate.
I'll give it a shot
but I'm not promising anything.
Thanks, mate.
Thanks a lot.
The famous Challenger One...
What is he doing?
- Didn't Jim tell him?
- He says he did.
- Well, then whas he doing here?
- Why won't you let him run?
Hey, he's too old
and his bike's too old.
He's come half way round the world
to ride that cycle.
Yeah, come on.
- Wendy, if he was to kill himself.
- So? Is his life.
Keep an eye out
for those officials.
You sure you want to do this?
I'm not sure is a good idea.
Hurry up. If we're going to do
this thing you've got to hurry.
Alright, les go,
here's your helmet.
Here's your goggles.
- Come on, Burt. We've got to go.
- Yeah, right.
Come on, put them on.
Go, go, come on.
Okay, les go, push.
Push, go fast.
Hey, you can't. Hey...
- you can't do that.
- Come on, come on!
Hang on!
Hey, where are you going with that?
Stop, stop, stop, stop.
What the hell are you doing, Burt?
What the hell are you doing?
Just getting her warmed up, Bob.
Didn't look like you were
getting her warmed up.
Jesus, he was going to take
the thing for a freakin' run.
Bob.
Oh, boy.
That is the most determined man
I have ever seen in my entire life.
I kind of feel sorry
for the old cooty.
Coming all this way.
Isn't there some way
we can accommodate him?
I mean there can't be
much risk there...
his bike will be
lucky if it does 70.
What do you say? What if we bend
the rules this once, huh?
Jesus!
Bob and I had a little chat...
and we're thinking we're gonna
organize a handling run for you.
- You are? What?
- A handling run.
All the officials,
we're gonna get into our vehicles and...
- You're joking, huh?
- No, I'm not.
We're going to follow
along behind you...
and we're going to see
if you're okay to ride this beast.
Of course I'm okay to ride it.
First thing tomorrow morning, alright?
Bright and early.
Well, thanks fellas.
Hey. My luck's in then.
- You alright?
- Yeah.
Don't hurt yourself.
Okay, everyone listen up.
This is what we're gonna do.
Burt, you're gonna get rolling...
ride slowly along. We'll all jump in
our vehicles, follow you down the track.
- See if you can handle this thing.
- I'll handle her alright.
Alright. Everybody got that?
Okay, everybody,
les get in the cars.
Hope that old man doesn't make
a fool of himself.
Here we go.
I'm ready, les go.
Push it!
Faster, boys.
Go, Burt!
Sixty.
Sixty-five, seventy.
That a boy, Burt.
Seventy-five.
There he goes up to eighty,
eighty, eighty five.
Ninety.
Ninety-five,
look at that thing go.
- Holy smoke.
- He's leaving them behind!
What the hell is
that old guy up to?
Nobody told him
he could give it everything.
I guess that solves the question
of whether or not he can handle it.
We were doing ninety-five
and he left us in the dust.
Look at him go!
That a boy, go, Burt.
Hold her firm.
Hold her firm.
Got it? Don't let it go.
That was a disaster!
- Hey, Burt. How'd it go.
- Not good.
So, whas the verdict?
When you opened up there in top
gear you sure left us in the dust.
I couldn't even get her out
of second gear, Earl.
The plugs were oiling up, I had to feed
her more juice up the revs a little.
Well, I guess we'll see if you're
telling us the truth, Munro.
Are you telling me I can officially run
on the track and have it timed?
Thas what I'm saying, Burt.
You'll never know what
this means to me, Otto.
25 years I've lived for this day,
25 years.
Sometimes you've got to bend the rules
a little, today's one of those days.
- Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- Thank you.
- What did they say?
- What happened?
They said I could run.
Thas great!
- So why the long face then?
- Well, I don't know...
is just starting to sink in
and I've got a problem a big problem.
As soon as I go over a hundred and
ten it starts to wobble like heck...
a bad speed wobble.
Well, it did look like you were
about as stable as my last wife.
I've got a theory
and I think I'm right.
I need about twenty car batteries.
Twenty?
Is it ok to steel
these batteries, Burt?
We're not steeling them Marty,
we're souveniring them.
Careful of that acid there.
What do we do
with them now?
Well, we're going to talk someone
into lending us a painter's blow torch.
A painter's blow torch?
What are we going to do
with all this metal, Burt?
Well, when this cools down,
we'll have ourselves a lead brick.
- What do you do with a lead brick?
- Place it in the front of the motorcycle.
- And thas your plan?
- Yeah.
Well, you must get the center
of pressure behind the center of gravity...
and if you don't get it right
then she'll start to fish tail...
- when you get her wound up.
- What do you mean by fish tail?
Well, like a fish's behind you know.
Ill start doing that.
And thas what happened today
when I had the handling run.
And so in a panic I lifted my head up
from behind the screen...
and suddenly the bike started
to go straight and...
I knew I'd solved the problem somehow
by sticking my head up into the wind.
- I don't get it.
- Me neither.
Well, I'll show you.
Let me have that.
What are you doing?
Lmagine the cigar
is my streamliner.
Don't poke holes in the cigar.
Now if I hold it in the middle
and blow on it. Like so.
See how unstable it is?
Now if I...
- shift the...
- Not again!
Center of pressure here.
And blow on it.
See is much more stable.
Just the center of pressure
is behind the center of gravity...
and thas what I'm trying to fix
with the lead brick you see.
You're quite clever,
did you know that, Burt?
Now all I need to do is to test
my theory before I run on the salt...
and I was thinking of,
you know...
crossing over the state line
from here in Utah to Nevada...
where there's no speed limit and running
with a lead brick in the front of it.
- Good morning.
- Morning.
Do you know how fast you were
going back there?
Yeah, about...
150, 160 miles an hour.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
How's he going to talk
his way out of this one?
He sure got his arse
in a sling this time, don't he?
So whas the situation with this thing?
You don't have any license plates on it.
- Is registered in New Zealand.
- New Zealand?
Yeah, thas where I come from.
Alright, you mean to tell me...
that this contraption of yours
is registered for the road?
- Yeah, in New Zealand.
- New Zealand, right.
Well, how about taking it easy
here in Nevada?
Just because we don't have
a speed limit don't mean...
- we want people killing themselves.
- No, sounds fair enough to me.
- Right, you have a good day then.
- I will, thank you.
Burt, everything OK?
Well, fellows, we're going to have
to give the lead brick...
the old Spanish archer.
- Spanish archer?
- Yeah, the big elbow, you know.
The lead brick has got to go.
Who's stupid idea was that anyway?
It was yours.
Yeah. Well, I'm just going to have
to ride her, the way she is.
What about that speed wobble?
Well, I'll cross that bridge
when I get there.
- I've got another problem too.
- Yeah, what now?
Well, when I get her going...
there's an enormous amount of heat
comes off the exhaust pipe...
and I hope
it doesn't cook my leg.
Maybe you can wrap some asbestos cloth
around it, that should fix it right.
Thas a good idea.
So you got any more problems
you want to tell us about?
Yes, yes, my old ticker.
- You've got a bad heart?
- Yes, I have.
I've got a little surprise
for you.
- What?
- Close your eyes and give me your hand.
- What?
- Just close your eyes. Come on.
- What for?
- Because I said so, mister, come on.
Keep walking.
Wendy, you're not going to make
a fool of an old man I hope.
I'd never do that, Burt.
Never.
Never. Okay. Okay.
Now turn around.
Alright.
Now, hold your hands out.
Put that in your pocket.
Alright.
There we go good.
You can open them.
What are you all staring at?
- What is this?
- Burt...
we've unanimously voted you here on
the Salt planes, sportsman of the year...
because we figured nobody has
ever traveled as far as you have...
to be here for speed week...
so normally we would present
a trophy or something like that...
but considering your case
we thought a few extra dollars...
would be more appreciated
so we past the hat around.
My goodness!
There are no words.
Well, thank you all.
Thank you all very much.
I'm sorry,
I don't know what to say.
Oh dear, is quite
overwhelming you know...
is 25 years dream
to come here.
I should try
to justify you, your respect and...
you know the original speed
of my old bike was 54 miles an hour.
And today I'm hoping to,
you know, improve it a little.
The cars are at the start line now.
The next one is the 86...
On the bucket seat
the pilot is ready to be pushed out.
Next competitor is Burt Munro.
All the way from Invercargill,
New Zealand.
Burt Munro's entry
was approved just yesterday.
Burt, where'd you get this stuff?
- What?
- I say, where'd you get this stuff?
I tore an old electric blanket apart
and got the asbestos cloth out of it.
You got those heart pills?
- Are you okay?
- Better take one, yeah.
They're almost ready.
Guys, come on, les go.
You know the bottle says
that they may cause drowsiness...
- do not operate machinery.
- I know that.
Well, you're not supposed
to take two of them anyway.
One for me
and one for the old girl.
Nitroglycerine.
Should make it go faster.
Have some of this, love.
There you go.
- Yeah, we're almost there.
- Alright, here we go.
- Hold her still.
- Your goggles.
- What?
- Goggles.
- Put your goggles on.
- I know, calm down.
I can't get my leg in because
of the asbestos cloth on it.
Let me take it off.
- What about your leg in that heat?
- Screw it, I've got a spare one.
Right, Burt.
Get those goggles.
- Ready?
- Alright, you know the way.
Make sure you come back.
Come on, les go!
Right, push!
Come on, fellas. Push faster!
Keep running.
Keep it straight, buddy.
Bring it in, Burt. Come on.
Go, go, go...
Les go, Burt!
Come on, Burt!
You can do it, Burt.
He's got no parachute,
he's got no brakes.
158.647.
Mile one,
158.647 miles per hour.
Go, Burt!
- Go on!
- Go, Burt!
- Make us proud, honey!
- Burt!
167.921.
Mile two,
167.921 miles per hour.
Break it, Burt.
Come on! Go, go, go!
Come on, Burt.
Mile three,
171.371 miles per hour.
Come on, come on, come on!
Mile four,
172.485 miles per hour.
Yeah!
Come on!
Mile five,
183.694 miles per hour.
193.728.
Mile six,
193.728 miles per hour.
Come on, come on!
Come on, Burt.
You can do it!
Come on, Burt!
Mile seven,
194.211 miles per hour.
- Go, Burt!
- Burt, go!
What is it?
201.851.
Mile eight,
201.851 miles per hour.
Ladies and gentlemen,
thas a new record...
201.851 miles per hour.
Burt, I hope you're going
to stop soon.
- He's gone back!
- Back where?
Back to whatever planet he came from
because he sure ain't from this one.
I really did toast my leg.
I did it.
I did it.
Tom, can you get that,
my hands are wet.
Hello?
This is the United States calling I have
a collect call from Mr. Burt Munro...
will you accept the charge?
- Mum, is Burt calling collect.
- It is? Accept the call, accept the call!
My mum said we can accept the call.
- Go ahead, sir.
- Hello Tom, is that you?
- Yes.
- Is me, Burt.
I did it Tom,
she's the worls fastest Indian.
She is?
Dad, dad!
Dad! He did it! Burt did it!
He set a new record.
How is it going?
Hello, mate!
- Hey, Duncan.
- Congratulations, Burt.
Hello, Frank.
How are you?
- Welcome home, Burt.
- Hello, George.
My goodness, you've made
this place look spiffing, mate.
You did us proud.
- You put Invercargill on the map.
- Well, I reckon so, yeah.
- What have you got planned now?
- Right now I've a lot of work to do...
if I'm to get back to Bonneville
next year, you know.
So, more early mornings then?
Yeah, more early mornings.
Hello, love.
- Welcome home.
- Nice to be back.
- Hello, Tom.
- Hey, Burt.
How are you, son?
Good to see ya.
You're growing up a bit, huh?
I looked after your lemon tree
just like you told me.
You did, yeah.
Is doing well isn't it?
Yeah, is beautiful.
- I fed the chickens.
- You did?
- And mum cooked all the eggs.
- Oh, yeah...
- did they taste good?
- Yep.
- Yeah, good. Have you got my key?
- Here it is.
- Right thanks.
- I took good care of it.
- I knew you would.
- How fast did you go?
Mighty fast. In one of my runs
I did over 200 miles an hour.
What would happen if you opened
your mouth at that speed?
Well, you'd blow the backside
out of your pants I reckon.
Right, lets see.
Its nice to be home.
Back in my shed.