Well this is one of the most fantastic movies i've ever seen. Its damn sure one of the best movies to be released in years and years. Even if you aren't into motorcycles or motorsports in general its just a damn good touching movie.

How this didn't win an oscar just goes to show what a bunch of shallow self serving regurgatating [i edited out the really bad words here lol, didn't want to get the thread locked] the mainstream hollywood and film industry in the whole has become.

I give this movie a 10 out of 5 stars.

watch it now.

The trailer piqued my interest, and it's definitely on my list. I'm not sure it's not winning an Oscar proves much though.

I agree, great movie, nicely done and just a great story thats basically true. Anthony Hopkins really resembles the real man and does a great job too. Watch the doc. Offerings to the God of Speed on the disk before you watch the movie and you'll like it even more.
Too bad it seemed to disappear very fast from the theaters, but I don't go to many movies any more anyways. I think this will do very well on DVD, word of mouth is spreading.

I agree, great movie, nicely done and just a great story thats basically true. Anthony Hopkins really resembles the real man and does a great job too. Watch the doc. Offerings to the God of Speed on the disk before you watch the movie and you'll like it even more.
Too bad it seemed to disappear very fast from the theaters, but I don't go to many movies any more anyways. I think this will do very well on DVD, word of mouth is spreading.


I just watched the Offerings to the God of Speed after the movie. I was suprised at how much stock footage they had of this guy. which makes the movie that much better knowing that it was taken from real life an not the usual "based on a true story but its realy some hollywood fantasy" movie. Burt Munro is truly amazing.

Just wanted to interject to let people know that the DVD was reframed from the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 down to 16x9 (or 1.77:1) in case you didn't know. Damn shame.

seeing as how my TV is 16x9 i liked it :)

Just wanted to interject to let people know that the DVD was reframed from the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 down to 16x9 (or 1.77:1) in case you didn't know. Damn shame.

marcOcuban has some splain' to do!

I wasn't even aware that Marc Cuban was involved in films and owned Magnolia Pictures. Though I suspect it has less to do with him and more to do with Roger Donaldson as his previous film "The Recruit" was also apparently reframed for DVD.

I thought the movie was extremely well made but it failed to captivate me somehow. This might be a case where seeing the extras (I didn't) might have made the film.

Fabulous film. "Follow your dreams."

Of course most folks who were moved to follow that particular dream would probably just end up getting a Darwin Award.

Just wanted to interject to let people know that the DVD was reframed from the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 down to 16x9 (or 1.77:1) in case you didn't know. Damn shame.


Actually, from the screen shots I've seen, the DVD framing looks better. They cropped the picture to create the theatrical 2.35:1 aspect. The reframing appears to open the picture up a bit.

Which screenshots have you seen? If you're referring to the review on dvdtalk they originally posted an erroneous screenshot at the bottom (it came from the "making of" on the DVD, but it was not accurate as to the 2.35:1 framing which I proved using the trailer), they changed it, but I still think that middle shot with Sir Anthony waving is incorrectly framed. There's no way to know, but it did come from the "making of" video as well. The reviewer didn't change it because he thinks that it probably accurately reflects the 2.35:1 version. Personally I prefer the 2.35:1 version all the way after having done comparisons myself using the trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/theworldsfastestindian/hd/)

Which screenshots have you seen? If you're referring to the review on dvdtalk they originally posted an erroneous screenshot at the bottom (it came from the "making of" on the DVD, but it was not accurate as to the 2.35:1 framing which I proved using the trailer), they changed it, but I still think that middle shot with Sir Anthony waving is incorrectly framed. There's no way to know, but it did come from the "making of" video as well. The reviewer didn't change it because he thinks that it probably accurately reflects the 2.35:1 version. Personally I prefer the 2.35:1 version all the way after having done comparisons myself using the trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/theworldsfastestindian/hd/)

Yes, those were the screen shots to which I was referring. I didn't read the review and wasn't aware of how they were generated. In any case, it doesn't really bother me, it's a great flick.

Regards,
Steve

Was the film shot in Super35?

Not sure, but most likely. There is a shot of the monitor from the set's video village which shows a 2.35:1 image protected for 16x9. I just want the theatrical AR, I could care less if it was protected or not.

The Canadian version of this DVD is 2.35:1 ratio......non-anamorphic though. But even for a non-anamorphic dvd, the PQ is good.

I'll probably wait for an HD release since I already picked up the US version before I knew about the problem. But I wouldn't buy a non-anamorphic release in this day and age. There may be hope for a proper version from other countries like New Zeland, Japan, Korea, etc.

The Canadian version of this DVD is 2.35:1 ratio......non-anamorphic though. But even for a non-anamorphic dvd, the PQ is good.The back of my Canadian copy of Worlds Fastest Indian clearly states that it is 2.35 enhanced for 16:9 TVs. Alliance-Atlantis has been consistently delivering good quality enhanced DVD's for years now. Did they actually screw this one up?

Mike

Yes, they did screw it up!

I put my copy in and checked it, and it is NON-anamorphic 2.35:1. I didn't notice that before because we watched it at someone elses house and they only have 4:3 TV's.

That really blows!

Mike

The Canadian version of this DVD is 2.35:1 ratio......non-anamorphic though. But even for a non-anamorphic dvd, the PQ is good.

I just picked up my copy today here in Ontario and the case says AR:2:35:1 and enhanced for 16x9 TV's is'nt that the same thing as anamorphic?

I also read the review of TWFI on dvdtalk and at the bottom of the page the reviewer warns that the Canadian version is non-anamorphic and also does'nt contain any extras. The copy I have has a behind the scenes and the theatrical trailer. Needless to say I'm a little confused. Does anyone know if this is the same as the American version?

I just picked up my copy today here in Ontario and the case says AR:2:35:1 and enhanced for 16x9 TV's is'nt that the same thing as anamorphic?

I also read the review of TWFI on dvdtalk and at the bottom of the page the reviewer warns that the Canadian version is non-anamorphic and also does'nt contain any extras. The copy I have has a behind the scenes and the theatrical trailer. Needless to say I'm a little confused. Does anyone know if this is the same as the American version?

Like the guy above your post said, the DVD says anamorphic, but it's actually not. I'm not a huge fan of some of the things Alliance Atlantis does.......like put english AND french of the spine of the DVD......makes it look terrible. And who could forget the huge goof up with The Two Towers extended edition with the glue ripping off the back of the awesome case.

Caught this one last night. Excellent film. Anthony Hopkins is, as usual, an amazing actor.

I saw this yesterday as well a very good movie.. It was one of those movies that didn't seem to be 2hrs long before I knew it it was over. I would have liked to see more

The Canadian version of this DVD is 2.35:1 ratio......non-anamorphic though. But even for a non-anamorphic dvd, the PQ is good.

No it's not, it is even in Video Format!! 60fps!! I could not believe my eyes, it was horrendous on my PJ

I got a chance to watch this one also. Very good. Anthony Hopkins really nails it, and despit his having been in a gazzillion movies, you never are sitting there thinking, "That's Anthony Hopkins playing this NZ guy".

BTW, the blond girl in this movie, I'd never seen her before. I looked her up and I guess she's mostly done TV stuff. But boy could I just look at her face for days. She's in the extras in a few places and also seemed quite intelligent.

Of course most folks who were moved to follow that particular dream would probably just end up getting a Darwin Award.
Just saw this thread, and in particular the above quote... :p :p :D :D



So is it confirmed that the US DVD has the wrong aspect ratio..?

IMDB says 35mm negative with 2.35:1 AR.

So is it confirmed that the US DVD has the wrong aspect ratio..?

Yep

Thanks to everyone for this recommendation. I had read about this film in my auto buff mags, but honestly had forgotten about it until this thread. The advice to watch the bio extra about Munro was great - it shows that this is really about a real person, and it demonstrates the incredible acting prowess of Hopkins in recreating Munro for the screen. Kudos to Donaldson for bringing a labor of love to the screen. Highly recommended.

P.S. Dean, I agree with your observations on the blond. ;)

I watched the DVD last night and enjoyed every minute of it. Great movie.

larry

Awesome film. Great addition to any collection.

Another vote. Not similar to but some what in the vain of The Straight Story.

Another vote from me (and thewife). Superb film, also very amusing at times.
Anthony Hopkins is one of the 'finest' actors around at the moment - always makes the character he's playing totally believable.

Hmm, I'll have to check this one out. I remember seeing the trailers in the theater and it looked interesting, but then I never really heard peep about it, so it kind of fell off my radar. I'll have to rent it I suppose, I'm up for an uplifting movie.

I havent watched this movie, but going to soon..

It's well worth it. Since it's such a relatively unknown film, it moved quickly to the bargain bin at Hollywood and I picked it up for like $9 or so, in perfect shape. I've watched it few times since then and really enjoy it every time. Anthony Hopkins' acting is just stupidly good in this film. His part here, and Meryl Streep's in A Prairie Home Companion, are two recently that I've seen where the actor just is that person.

Fantastic movie. Both me and the GF loved it.

Just watched this the other day with the wife and we both greatly enjoyed it.

Just watched this the other day with the wife and we both greatly enjoyed it.


Ditto for us. Loved it.

Hey guys, I just ordered the Blu-Ray version and reportedly it's from the same 1.78 transfer.

I feel rather gyped because it was just broadcast OAR on HDNet the other day too.

Is it that bad in 1.78? Because if it is, for $26 I'd rather save my money and cancel my order.

From the IMDb:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/technical

So to answer an earlier question, yes it was shot in Super 35 which would allow the DVD producers to easily open up the framing from 2.35:1 to 1.85:1.

But so much of it is out on the salt flats or the beach and other open places that really benefits from the wide AR to give it that feeling of breadth.

You could always create your own masking to make it be 2.35:1 again. :) I don't remember the OAR of the SD DVD. Great movie, and I'll definitely rent the BD.

larry

Unfortunately I confirmed today the BD is 1.78 even though they just broadcast it on HDNet at 2.35 so I cancelled my order.:(

Just saw this a couple of weeks ago, and now this thread has resurfaced... A great film, and yet another wonderful performance by Anthony Hopkins! The film is really not about racing or motorcycles, it's about him as an irresistible force. I loved the scene where:
...the wheel falls off his trailer and he ties the branch to it so he can drag it like a travois as far as it takes to get it fixedIt really showed that how resourceful he was and how nothing whatsoever was going to stand in his way...

That's a Kiwi thing I guess.

That's a Kiwi thing I guess.Are you referring to my spoiler? That's actually a Native American thing, but I suppose they could have used them down under as well...

Oh, no, I meant the resourcefulness thing, and making do with what's available.

But so much of it is out on the salt flats or the beach and other open places that really benefits from the wide AR to give it that feeling of breadth.
Agreed. I saw it first in an "arty" theater so didn't pay much attention to the framing. When I got it on DVD, I must admit I didn't even notice that the AR was modified! But you're right, it works better with a larger image area for the outdoor scenes.

It's on HDNet Movies this month and man does it blow the DVD away!

As it should, however the DVD looks very good already.

I'm really dissapointed the BD isn't 2.35. You'd think Magnolia would go out of their way to make sure it was, seeing as they just broadcast it that way. That was the only reason why I purchased it.

They seem to screw up easily on their BD productions, ie: apparently for District B13 they only used subs for the hearing impaired with no regular subs at all. Mistakes like this prevent me from purchasing their product.

That's really sad from a "movie lovers" movie company.:(

I'm confused a bit. The BD is 1.85:1 (or 1.78:1) and contains more picture information because the movie was done "open matte". In other words the sides were not cropped when increasing height. Or were the sides just cropped of the 2.35:1 transfer to make 1.78:1?

larry

The former.

The wife and I both enjoyed the film.

Gary

The former.Thanks, Hun. It should look fine then.

larry

And if the director said that was his intention I'd have no problem with it, but this in fact was not the case. The dececision to use the matted version on the DVD/BD was done by Magnolia and not the director himself.

I saw the OAR version on HDNet Movies and there's a signigant difference in framing between that and the DVD framing.

Fantastic movie, wonderful view of the USA and NZ.
First really fun, happy movie in some time.

Pity about the hd ratio. Mb someone will fix it :-)

Fantastic film. My wife had no interest in seeing this but finally agreed to at my urging...she loved it too.

Anthony Hopkins is awesome! His characters are so dynamic you forget it's him playing someone...truly the mark of an excellent actor. This film is no different as I was totally absorbed and rooting all the way for his success. A really good movie! ;) .

Great movie. I spent a year in New Zealand and loved it. Very warm movie.

IB

Finally seem this last night and even my wife enjoyed it. All around great film. I can never catch Anthony Hopkins acting, he so thoroughly becomes the character in every film in which he stars.

Jon

I've rented hundreds of movies since this movie came out..guess I need to check'er out!