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Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Louise Lombard, Said Taghmaoui, Peter Mensah ... see more see more... , J.K. Simmons , Zuleikha Robinson , Adam Alexi-Malle , Silas Carson , Adoni Maropis , Harsh Nayyar , Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman , Elizabeth Berridge , Victor Talmadge , Frank Collison , Jerry Hardin , C. Thomas Howell , Malcolm McDowell , Sven Ole Thorsen , David Midthunder

Actor Viggo Mortensen made his first starring appearance in a film after his breakthrough performance in the Lord of the Rings trilogy with this period adventure. Frank T. Hopkins (Mortensen) is a U.S... read more read more.... Cavalry officer who earned a reputation as one of the fastest and most daring riders in the West; however, after taking part in the bloody massacre at Wounded Knee, Hopkins becomes disenchanted with the Cavalry, and once his hitch is up, he takes a job as a rider with a seedy touring Wild West show. During an engagement in New York, Hopkins meets Aziz (Adam Alexi-Malle), an associate of wealthy Bedouin Sheikh Riyadh (Omar Sharif), who knows of Hopkins' talents and wants him to take part in "The Ocean of Fire," an annual 3,000-mile desert horse race running from Arabia to Iraq. Hopkins accepts the invitation and sails to the Middle East with his trusty mustang Hidalgo without knowing just what he's getting himself into. Once he arrives, Hopkins learns that the punishing race course claims the lives of nearly half its contestants, and that most of his competitors ride pure-bred Arabian stallions and do not regard Hidalgo and his master as worthy adversaries. Temporarily exiled to a land where freedom eludes the multitudes and class and wealth define one's fate, Hopkins finds himself riding for both honor and principle, with the support of Riyadh and his beautiful, headstrong daughter, Jazira (Zuleikha Robinson), though the Sheikh's nephew Katib (Silas Carson) is equally determined to see Hopkins go down in defeat. Hidalgo was directed by Joe Johnston, who previously worked with animals on the run in Jumanji and Jurassic Park III. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

70% liked it

119,076 ratings

Critics

47% liked it

158 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Joe Johnston

Release Date: March 5, 2004

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DVD Release Date: August 3, 2004

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Stats: 4,213 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,213)

  • cosmo313
    January 12, 2012
    cosmo313
    This is a period piece centering around a rugged western hero who decides to prove himself by being the first westerner to enter into a gruelling desert horse race in the Middle East, hoping ot prove that his American horse Hidalgo is just as good if not better than any of the Ar... read moreabian horses he's up against.

    The film is very schmaltzy, sappy, and emotionally manipulative, and some of it does work, but a lot of it fell flat for me. Viggo Mortensen's presence helps things out a lot, and there;s some wonderful cinematography, but some of this was just really too cheesy for me. That, and I really don't care for the opening stuff involving the Native Americans. It jsut comes off as forced, unnecessary, pandering, and really mishandled. It shouldn't even be in here, really. Also, Omar Sharif is a great guy, but give him some better material to work with, especially a character who we're supposed to like (in the end), but can't buy how it gets to that point.

    Yeah, I'm ripping on this movie, and some of it is just nitpicking and personal issues, but really, this film just isn't that special or all that memorable even. Go with Seabiscuit instead, or, now that it's out, War Horse.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    April 28, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Hidalgo is a terrific action adventure following the legend of Frank T. Hopkins and his Mustang horse, Hidalgo. The film is about a race known as the Ocean of fire a long distance race across the Arabian desert. Hidalgo is a fairly entertaining adventure and is a film that deserv... read morees a lot more credit than it deserves. Sure the film is at times uneven, but it manages to be an entertaining and thrilling adventure that is simply loads of fun. Viggo Mortensen is good in his portrayal of Frank Hopkins. Hidalgo is basically a story of attempting the impossible. The film has Western elements, but it doesn't evoke a sense of nostalgia found in viewing such epic Spaghetti Westerns of old. The film is pretty well crafted and the pacing of the story is well thought out meaning the film is never too dull or boring, it's always exciting and thrilling. October Sky director Joe Johnson helms this film and does yet another terrific job and making a film that doesn't have a specific demographic in mind. Johnson is a splendid filmmaker and Hidalgo is yet another solid picture that proves his talents further. A surprising casting choice is Omar Shariff (I thought he was dead long ago) He plays a decent role in Hidalgo also was more famous for playing Ali in the epic masterpiece Lawrence Of Arabia. Hidalgo is an action packed film that the whole family will surely enjoy. The film is never boring, or dull and theres always something going on to keep the pace of the film going.
  • moonrivers
    March 16, 2011
    moonrivers
    Different from most any western this crossbred tale of a crossbred cowboy horseracing in arabia is itself a crossbreed, has interesting legs and succeeds in entertaining.
  • SirPant
    December 6, 2010
    SirPant
    It's a little over the top in places, a little over-long and descends into just a mere 'Desert themed' action movie in places but I did enjoy it. I like the history behind it, although I'm not sure how accurate it is. It did exceed my expectations but they were pretty low to be h... read moreonest. Hidalgo is classic Sunday afternoon viewing.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    January 7, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    Watched this in the aftermath of Mortensen's success in LOTR. Delivered what was expected.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 3, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    A beautiful Adventure Movie based upon real event. I like Viggo. Omar Sharif was Awesome in this Movie.
  • TomBowler
    August 2, 2009
    TomBowler
    an attempt at a moving story. however, if you want a moving film about a horse, watch seabiscuit
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    June 10, 2009
    LoughnerWasLucid
    stupid horse...
  • gatorgirl13
    December 30, 2008
    gatorgirl13
    This was actually an alright movie. The locations where the movie was shot are beautiful. Also, Viggo Mortensen is the shit. Love him.
  • sanjurosamurai
    December 19, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    an epic adventure, very underrated. this film was not well recieved but viggo was solid and the story was compelling. i hope that with time more people find this movie.

View All Hidalgo Reviews

Critic Reviews

Peter Travers
April 9, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

An adventure that never met a cliche it couldn't saddle, mount and ride for a butt-numbing two hours and sixteen minutes.

Rex Reed
March 18, 2004
Rex Reed, New York Observer

An exciting, colorful and very appealing movie. Full Review

Charles Taylor
March 16, 2004
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

It's a manqué of a rousing adventure tale and not the real thing. You're constantly aware of the gulf between how the movie wants to excite you and the halfhearted execution. Full Review

Michael Booth
March 11, 2004
Michael Booth, Denver Post

Popcorn for us and oats for the horses, delivered by the tall drink of water that is Mortensen. Full Review

Benjamin Strong
March 9, 2004
Benjamin Strong, Village Voice

A hybrid of both traditional and revisionist contradictions. Full Review

Richard Roeper
March 8, 2004
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

... filled with cliches. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
March 5, 2004
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

One rousing, if rote, adventure. Full Review

Desson Thomson
March 5, 2004
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Lawrence this ain't; not by a long shot, and certainly not by a dromedary's nose hair.

Claudia Puig
March 5, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Limited by one-dimensional, even stereotypical characters and a predictable and drawn-out plot. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
March 5, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It's not as if we haven't seen movies like Hidalgo before -- the cowboy, the horse, the hat -- and yet there's something fresh about it all the same. Full Review

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