Hidalgo (2004)

Based on the legend of American distance rider Frank Hopkins and his horse Hidalgo,this film tries to recount how he raced against Arabia horses back in the 1890's.It stars Viggo Mortensen, Zuleikha Robinson, and Omar Sharif.This movie entitled "Hidalgo" is directed by Joe Johnston.The Ocean Of Fire is a three thousand mile survival race that is held across the Arabian desert and it restricts its participants to the finest horses found in Arabia that are owned by noble families. Then,a wealthy sheik invited an American,Frank Hopkins and his horse to enter the race for the first time.Billed as the greatest rider in the West back in the United States,Hopkins gets into a big challenge against the greatest Arabian horses who are just as determined to prevent a foreigner from winning.With another theme of having the main protagonist being the underdog and being up against the best of the world,we have another yet a clichéd and predictable film at Hidalgo particularly the conclusion when everyone knows who is going to win and how it is going to end.It also tries to relive Western movies when it was released but there is nothing groundbreaking nor refreshing in it except the excitement and entertainment that it can bring to viewers who love this particular types of films.What's even worth noticing is the fact that the story was definitely cheesy that people of today may no longer look for when going to the theaters.Overall,it is one clichéd movie from beginning to end.

I loved this film. It was incredibly well done - the cinematography, direction, and writing were so great. And the acting! Viggo Mortensen is so great.They did a great job in making the star horse emote and 'give opinions' as well. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for a good animal flick (within reason) if it's done well and not cheesy. This is just a good story.The imagery across the desert are beautiful, although I think someone was a little overzealous (not that I can blame them) with the sun in the background on a horsey shadow. But it was all goodVery few movies these days (I know, I know, this movie is nearly a decade old now but bear with me!) get me to the point at which I'm actively rooting for the protagonist, on the edge of my seat.This film was exceptional, I can highly recommend it!

Traumatised by his part in the Wounded Knee massacre, rider Frank Hopkins leaves the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and accepts a challenge to take part in the 3,000 mile Ocean of Fire endurance horse race across the Arabian Desert.Based on Hopkins' self-related life story (which, it appears, contains no verifiable facts and must, therefore, be regarded as of questionable accuracy or less), Hidalgo - the name of Hopkins' mustang - is an exciting and enjoyable action adventure movie, albeit one which suffers from shifting moods. The opening, with Wounded Knee and Hopkins' spiritual malaise in the Wild West Show promises some emotional depth but, despite Viggo Mortensen's typical intensity and integrity, what follows is Boy's Own action adventure stuff, including an exciting princess rescue mission as well as the privations of the race itself.The movie is enjoyable, but without the depth it might have had.

However far-fetched this ripping yarn may be, it is undeniably clever, moving and enjoyable. Other reviewers for this have missed the key point, that the hero's horse is a brilliant metaphor of himself. Hidalgo is a tongue-in-cheek reference to a Spanish aristocratic naming convention, meaning 'The son of', while Mustang is most likely ultimately etymologically tied to the Latin word for 'mixed'. Both rider and horse are half-breeds, taking on the finest Arabian thoroughbreds. I watched this film with a class full of Saudi male students of English. Apart from the whiskey, there was nothing I felt to be too strong for Islamic conventions here. The students were charmed by the classical Arabic of Omar Sharif, and the respect shown by the hero for the Arab world.