This film is fantastic, especially as it is based on a true story! The film is shot with modern special effects, but feels akin to the earlier Indiana Jones films of the 80s. As well as being full of action sequences it is also emotionally charged, not only for the struggle of our two heroes (Man & Horse), but also touching on the plight of the Native American Indian, Slavery and the Rights of Women in the Arabic World. A must for anyone's personal collection.

This film purports to be the adventures of a man named Frank Hopkins, a mixed race cowboy who lived during the late 19th century through much of the 20th century. From what I am able to gather, Mr. Hopkins claimed to have done many things...though many of them either cannot be verified or have clearly been disproven. Sadly for this film, according to the IMDB trivia and other information I've read, the central core of the movie, the great race in the Middle East NEVER OCCURRED! So, if you are looking for a history lesson, skip this one. On the other hand, true or not (and I would venture to say NOT), the story is a wonderful and sweeping adventure...the sort of old fashioned story you rarely see today. The story begins just before the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. Following his witnessing the aftermath of this horrible event, Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is horribly disturbed and suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For some time, his life is directionless and he drinks heavily...until fate brings him a challenge. His skills on the horse are almost legendary and an emissary from Arabia has arrived in the States to get him to participate in an insanely dangerous race across the Arabian Desert. Hopking goes and the vast majority of the film follows him during this race. It's surprisingly engaging and interesting...something I had a hard time believing! Overall, very well done...I just wish it was true...like the movie SEEMS to indicate!By the way, in the final scene you learn that the wild mustangs are allowed to live and they live happily ever after. This is true to many horse lovers and folks with tender hearts. However, according to SOME environmentalists, these non-native horses have destroyed the ecosystem out west. So, one person's blessing is another's plague!

Typical cowboy movie? Maybe, maybe not... mostly not. Personally, I hate cowboy movies. My dad's sat me down and made me watch too many bad cowboy flicks, but "Hidalgo" had me hooked from the start. This had plot twists around every corner, a (somewhat) diverse set of characters, and great practical and special effects, each are ingredients to the recipe for a good movie.To be brief, the movie starts out at the end of a race in America, during the Cowboy age. Frank Hopkins (being the somewhat typical white-washed "Hollywood cowboy" with a Native American twist) has just won yet another long-distance horse race. Frank's show name in an American entertainment show gets him wrapped up in a famous race in the far-off country of Arabia. He is given vague advice, some poor instructions, and is sent off to compete in the race. Being an underdog character and a tough-as-nails, adaptable-to-everything cowboy stereotype, Frank is able to survive a massive sandstorm, locusts, starvation, heat, corruption, and anything else thrown at him. In an odd addition, Frank is sent on what can be described as a "side quest" to save the daughter, Jazira, of Sheikh, the one holding the race. Once Jazira is safe, Frank simply goes back to racing. Of course, as everyone anticipated, Frank and Hidalgo win the race after almost every damn odd was stacked against them. The casting for this movie is arguably... "okay". Frank, played by Viggo Mortensen, was introduced as a cowboy character for the most part, but with the addition that he was half Native American. This detail could have been removed/replaced and made the movie look a little less white- washed, as Frank looks entirely white. Oddly enough, the horses' acting is worth noting. The animals, no matter was situation they were put in, reacted extremely well and fitting to their scene, it's quite remarkable. Some characters could have been removed, such as Lady Anne and her forced-feeling relationship with Frank (but the cowboy always has to get the girl, right?) as well as the slave boy and Jaffa, whose parts are irrelevant other than giving Frank advice. The clashing of Frank's American culture and the Arabic culture was mixed well. Frank respects, although not happily, their customs. Not touching the Shiekh's hand (in the beginning), not helping the other racers (at first), and putting up with their "fate has been chosen already" rants. The Arabics accept that he has a "painted" horse, and is not one he bred himself, but instead tamed and befriended. Though, the Native American touch could have been ditched for something a bit more fitting, say... more American grit? Second thought, this movie has so much grit already it might burst if there is anymore added.All things considered, "Hidalgo" isn't half bad of a movie. It's got great emotional feel the whole way through, the costumes and scenery were gorgeous, and the ending was a bit disheartening yet certainly satisfying. Although, what American (such as myself) doesn't love an underdog movie with cool animals and awesomely choreographed fight scenes?

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!