wbhome

I just saw this movie and what moved me was at critical junctures the character was helped by the kindness of strangers, whether in New Zealand or the US. When I say "critical junctures" at these points had the character not been helped his dream of 25 years - of going to Bonneville - would have ended.

And the help came from some unexpected sources.

Being a car guy I was immensely impressed by this character's "working miracles" in his primitive work shop. Anyone ever hear of anyone melting aluminum and casting their own pistons? I hadn't until the movie - and apparently it is all true.

He reminded me a bit of the Christopher Lloyd character (Dr. Brown) in the Back to the Future series - coming up with simple solutions to complex problems and the solutions coming from places no one had thought of before.

Well, in fact, I knew a fellow a bit like Burt - from England - who was an extraordinary mechanic - but even he didn't make his own pistons.

One other thing - when Burt gets to Long Beach (did he really sail across the Pacific on a ship that small?) - anyway he reminded me a bit of the Paul Hogan character in Crocodile Dundee - naive but kind to the "city slickers" but they still don't "pull the wool over his eyes".

I enjoyed the photography of the Salt Flats - the sunrise picture - and the "vintage" vehicles there - including Mickey Thompson's...

Someone mentioned that this was a "chick flick for guys" - I can say that both genders should enjoy it.

Bill

I just saw this movie today in Sacramento, CA. A friend of mine who is a movie aficionado recommended it. It has had no advertising here that I know of - and yet proves that some of the best movies are those for which the producers have little money for promotion yet show work worthy of an Academy Award.

Needless to say there are other movies that have bombed that have had 10's of millions of dollars in advertising.

It is at different times funny - uproariously so, dramatic - with the London Blitz in the background, and sad.

I am smitten with the Kelly Reilly character (Maureen).

It reminds me a bit of the movie - and later play - The Producers, except that they are not trying to make a play that bombs but rather have such different fare from the rest of the West End. It's the only movie that I have seen that can show full nudity and yet one should not hesitate in taking the entire family. Shows you how nudity is presented by much of the industry I suppose.

The Judi Dench character is both formidable and vulnerable. And they even play period British music about the Blitz - can't wait for the DVD to come out.

Finally while in the Army 30 years ago I stopped at a theater in the West End that involved nudity - I wonder if it was the Windmill - but a 30 year question was answered by this movie. Without spoiling it see the movie. You will understand the question.

It is one of Robert Redford's best - the quiet rancher - meets the pushy high powered NYC editor who is determined to help her daughter after a traumatic riding accident.

As others have mentioned the experience not only changes the horse but most of the "supporting" characters.

The cinematography was powerful - while I am not a student of the discipline I could see that the angles chosen for the subject, the landscape scenes of the beautiful Montana ranges and sunsets - one could watch and understand the movie without the dialog.

I believe Ansel Adams - if he were alive - would love some of these scenes.

I vote this as a "must see" for everyone. It not only has a powerful plot but beautiful cinematography...