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Hidalgo

This is the kind of movie they used to make -- a rugged adventure, full of romance, without bad language or full frontal nudity. Hidalgo is the story of an American who travels halfway around the world to compete in a harsh endurance race across the Arabian desert.

Viggo Mortensen stars as Frank T. Hopkins, who’d made a name for himself and his mustang Hidalgo by winning cross-country races in the United States. He’s making a living riding in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show -- and drinking heavily to drown guilt over the Army’s slaughter of an Indian tribe. A representative for the Sheik of Sheiks (Omar Sharif) challenges Hopkins’ claim that Hidalgo is the greatest endurance horse that ever lived and invites the pair to take part in a 3,000 mile Bedouin race. The long ride pits Hopkins and Hidalgo against a major sandstorm, a plague of locusts, and unethical competitors, but he also finds unexpected assistance from the Sheik’s beautiful daughter (Zuleikha Robinson).

Director Joe Johnston and cinematographer Shelly Johnson have captured this story on film beautifully. The acting is spot on. Some people may find the script - based loosely on the letters and legend of the real Frank T. Hopkins - a little predictable, or even corny. It should be pointed out that the film has been widely criticized for calling itself a true story, as some doubt that the tales told by the real Mr. Hopkins had any veracity. The film is rated PG-13, and some incidents of violence may be too much for younger children.

The DVD doesn’t offer many extras, just a couple of featurettes, one of which you can only access from a DVD-ROM drive.

All in all, I found Hidalgo to be an entertaining and satisfying film.

Written by: Auriette Lindsey

Reviewers Rating: 8
Reader's Rating: 9.50
Reader's Votes: 2

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