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Reading one of the commentaries about this movie urged me to write one of my own. It does seem to me, today, that a movie needs to be ridiculously full of stunts and action sequences (and blood, violence etc) to be considered worth while by the rank and file who are watching. How sad is that? I guess I am in the minority, but I want more to a movie than special effects.

I had wanted to see this movie from the start, but was never able to get to the theater, so I got it the minute it came out on DVD. I know it was supposed to be a "True Story" but as is I would doubt it - too Hollywood. But hey, the long and short of it is . . . Viggo. Horses. I am so there. Who cares if it did not really happen this way?

Anyway, now that I have seen it, I can't say I was disappointed at all. I was raised in a scouting family that was very involved in "Indian Lore" and the chants brought back memories. I think Native American history is complex and interesting, and we can still learn from the mistakes made on both sides. And Native Lore is ingrained in the message this movie had to tell.

EVERY movie lately seems to be overcoming obstacles and winning even when you had no chance . . . you can't sit through a day of the Disney Channel without getting that drummed into you! But this was different.

Frank T Hopkins was what was then called a "half breed", but he passed as white, and not wanting to deal with his race, he hid it (except for speaking the language, which I assumed many white men who were close to the land could do). Although he tried to deny it, his bloodlines brought him back to it time and again. Although being in the race had nothing to do with being a "half breed" on the surface, it was all about it in the end. Hidalgo was an "Indian pony" - a breed that was facing extinction. The horse was constantly being put down by both the whites and the Arabs. While defending the horse constantly, Hopkins yet shunned his own heritage and culture, and only when he accepted it did he win the race. And yet he should have known it all along, since the horse, the symbol of that heritage, was his most prized friend.

I got my back up a little when I read that someone thought the movie was was "moralistic" until they finally got to the action. Gee, aren't movies supposed to be moralistic? Should we not learn from our entertainment, or is it just mindless slaughter and CGI? It was like, yeah yeah, forget the plot, let's see some action.

Action is fine, but I liked all the little coincidences, symbolisms and tie-ins to other characters. The tie-in to Jazia (the sheik's daughter) wearing a veil over her head was perfect. They were both less in the eyes of white men, but in reality they were fine for what they were. They just had to accept it. The symbol of the natives, a necklace given to him by a chief friend, became his symbol as well, when his servant mistakenly used it for their flag. In the end it was no mistake at all.

Yes, it was the typical Disney underdog wins, but there was something extra to it. At least to me, and I am not sorry to say I still watch movies for the message, not the phony thrills.

Directed by Joe Johnston, the man behind the excellent & severely underrated "The Rocketeer" ('91) which was also a period piece, "Hidalgo" is a biographical adventure film loosely based on the life of Frank T. Hopkins and his mustang, Hidalgo that competed on a long distance Middle Eastern race called itself "Ocean of Fire", against the best pure- blooded Arabian horses.

The real life Hopkins and his alleged exploits were most likely fictional / tall stories told by a 'fabulator' man that once was a professional horseman performing with the Ringling Brothers Circus. Even if it wasn't all true, the Hopkins & Hidalgo's daring adventure across the scorching desert of Arabia was the perfect scenario for an adventure / drama film shot on location, with a sense of the classic swashbuckling style, long gone from the Entertainment Industry of nowadays.

It looks & feels something like a lighthearted / toned-down version of such classics as "Lawrence of Arabia" meets "Dances with Wolves" with an Indiana Jones urge to it, some of the funny gags & action sequences are even based (or more like a tribute) to the world's most famous archaeologist.

Smartly, the director Johnston keeps the CGI effects to a minimum, only when was strictly necessary (like the sandstorm who reminds a lot the less-inspired Stephen Sommers' blockbuster, "The Mummy") which enhanced the old school filmmaking factor.

"Hidalgo" is an entertaining, upbeat & reckless ride that moves at nicely pace, competent photographed by Shelly Johnson with great sets & costume design and great performances all around from Viggo, still in the heroic & manly, but sensitive role of an Aragorn type of character to the legendary & sorely missed, Omar Sharif in a gracious & witty role as the Sheikh Riyadh. Malcolm McDowell, C. Thomas Howell & J.K. Simmons also provided interesting cameos, but above them all, T.J. as the beautiful mustang Hidalgo, deserves the highest praise.

I've read some pretty disparaging comments about this movie that make me wonder what on earth was so bad? Let's see, there were objections over the predictability of the plot, the stereotyping, the music and on and on. People need to relax and enjoy this movie as entertainment only. I personally thought it was one of the nicest new releases I'd seen.

I know this was another movie about the underdog winning against all odds but I like this kind of movie. I thought the screenplay was admirable in it's restraint not having the main character even kiss the two women involved. The music was very moving and beautiful.

Perhaps some people have become so jaded that a movie simply isn't complete unless there's a helicopter chase, an exploding car or two (or in this case, a wagon), a trip to the nearby strip club with the flashing lights(where all characters in search of answers seem to end up at), gratuitous sex scenes, oh yeah, don't forget to use the 'F' word and while we're at it: let take God's name in vain a few times for the sake of 'realism'.

Hollywood needs to make more movies like this.

Hidalgo. A horse with spirit, pride, and eyes that communicate scriptlines as coherent as any spoken. Viggo Mortensen is a charismatic and very persuasive actor and talented man. Omar Sharif, "Let in the light"... the scene at Wounded Knee is thought provoking. Hidalgo is one I would recommend highly. I do not see how a mustang from America could have any chance though in such a race. It would be unaccustomed to the new climate, and could possibly get sick and die just from the change of environment. It would be racing against horses who have been on these sands all their lives... it would be at a great disadvantage. Remember the movie Lucas? Where at the end he finally gets to play football and nearly gets killed? Reminds me of those kind of odds.

This movie has many subtleties that go unspoken that are the signature of a great film. I'd like to point one out.

1. The amount of the purse is unspoken until halfway thru, which leaves the mind open to experience beyond the material aspect.

I love the goat herder whose punishment for stealing milk is to work for the American. We see objectively thru the eyes of Frank the positives and negatives that arise from different cultures, including our own.. and this honest experience, gives the film great character.

Overall a very enjoyable film. I give this film a 8/10

The picture talks upon Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) a real cowboy who participated with his horse called ¨Hidalgo¨ in an extraordinary racehorse : ¨ Oceans of fire¨, a 3.000 mile survival race across the risky Arabian desert . He'll take on ominous Arab riders and many dangers . The confrontation will be terrible and he'll face off imposing winds , locust plague , quicksands... though he'll love an Arab princess (Zuleikha Robinson) , Sheik's daughter (Omar Shariff) too . The film is based on historic deeds and famous people , thus : the ¨Wounded Knee slaughter¨ (1890) ; besides , there appears : Buffalo Bill Cody (J.K.Simmons) , Annie Oakley (Elizabeth Berridge) and Indian chiefs: Eagle Horn (Floyd Red Crow Westerman) , Sitting Bull , Crazy Horse and Big Foot . The final duel amongst the horsemen is breathtaking and overwhelming .

This moving motion picture blends adventures , action , a love story , emotions and results to be pretty amusing . From the beginning to end the adventure-action is unstoppable , it's fast moving and for that reason packs a lot of entertainment . The final horse scene was filmed in Browning, Montana , 550 different horses were used in that scene , the horses all came from different owners, so to tell them apart, their hooves were branded . Sets and production design are spellbinding and the Oriental landscapes are mesmerizing . Special effects (FX) by Industrial Light and Magic ILM (George Lucas's ownership) are top-notch , as especially the impressive digital storm . The movie was well directed by Joe Johnston , including Shelly Johnson's riveting cinematography and James Newton Howard's fascinating musical score . The film obtained success at box office around the world and United States was number one . The flick will appeal to Oriental adventure enthusiasts and Viggo Mortensen fans . Rating : Very good , well worth watching .

I have seen this film before, but I felt compelled to watch again yesterday in memory of Floyd Red Crow Westerman (Chief Eagle Horn), who died last week.

This is a thrilling movie about persistence and will. It has all the excitement you could wish for in a western-type movie, and it has subplots that are truly interesting.

Viggo Mortensen is perfect in his role of a half Sioux/half American rider that is struggling with finding out who he really is inside. Zuleikha Robinson was intriguing as the daughter of the Sheikh who knew who she was and wanted others to recognize it. Seeing Omar Sharif as the Sheikh was a thrill as it has been too long since I have last seen him.

A thrilling film blending the cultures of two peoples of the horse.

...an enchanting deeeelightful story - well, a semi true story about a factionalized real cowboy.

A man, his horse and a 1,000 miles race.

Viggo Mortensen gives a solid performance and what a delight to see Omar Sharif as as Arab Sheik.

Hidalgo belongs in every film collector's library.

I've seen Hidalgo twice and will go again (and again) and I will buy the DVD. I hope that people will not listen to the critics and will give this movie a chance for success. It doesn't matter if Frank Hopkins did these things or not. If he didn't, he gave us a rousing story. Viggo is perfect in this role as the "cowboy" and rides Hidalgo like the wind. The Arabian desert is frightening and beautiful. The horses are beautiful. Some don't like what seems like stereotypes, however, it takes place in 1890 and Native Americans were killed, then played for sport in "shows". Africans were enslaved and women wore (wear) veils. The movie is right with the times. The music is enjoyable. I'll look for the soundtrack on CD. See it and decide for yourself.

A lukewarm attempt at an old-fashioned "ripping yarn" kinda movie. High points include some lovely scenery; Omar Sharif as a powerful Bedouin sheik; and, to some extent, Viggo Mortensen as Frank Hopkins, the half-Indian long distance rider who brings his Mustang, Hidalgo, to "Arabia" for a 3,000-mile race. Viggo looks great in his 19th-century pants, and definitely looks good on a horse, but struggles with some pretty cheesy dialogue. Low points include that dialogue, plus some very muddy lighting in a lot of scenes. And overall, it's just corny. But if you're a fan of "the Big V," it's probably a must-see. I must say I enjoyed those pants quite a bit.

Hidalgo is one of those movies that comes along once in a blue moon. This is a movie NOT to be missed.

Viggo Mortensen's portrayal of a gentle, laid-back cowboy hearkens back to the golden age of cinema and would make the likes of Gary Cooper proud! His subtle blend of virtue such as honor, honest and pride - without being the least bit preachy, make watching his performance an utter joy.

All of the actors are brilliant in their roles, especially the one in the title role! Hidalgo is clever and entertaining without being unbelievable as many animal movies are these days. You won't find him standing on his hind legs and doing the hokey-pokey, but his talents are very evident and he becomes a hero that we all love before the end of the movie.

One of the best parts of this movie is the fact that it is a movie by grownups for grownups, although it carries enough action and suspense that kids will probably like it to. Absent, however is the sickeningly sweet "kids scenes" that we simply cannot get away from in movies today. No charming close ups of dimple-faced waifs. No little wise-mouthed child prodigies - nothing but good old fashioned grown-up fun! How refreshing.

You will be happy to know that the ending isn't as predictable as it could have been. Although falling into the "happy" category (of course), there are poignant moments and you might shed a tear.

One other aspect of this film which I found intriguing is the issue of examining and accepting who we are. It was very well done and meaningful.

Overall this film is easily a 10+. Please see it

When a movie proclaims it is "based on a true story", this sets a Pavlovian response in many people to get them to believe that what they are about to see is what really happened. I see it as the marketing ploy it is. Sure I believe there was a Frank Hopkins and that he was renowned for long-distance horse racing. But that doesn't mean he ran in a 1000-mile race over in Arabia for lucre.

Oh, I liked this movie. It got me to thinking about how my tolerance level for accuracy varies from movie to movie. For "Hidalgo", what annoyed me was Viggo Mortensen's blue eyes in the head of Frank Hopkins, supposedly the son of an Indian chief's daughter. Whenever I was taught about dominant/recessive genes, the example always used was that brown eyes are dominant over blue eyes. Frank Hopkins couldn't have had blue eyes.

On the other hand, I didn't care if the scenes in Arabia were mainly figment's of the writer's imagination. For all I know, Arabia may have been much more brutish in the 1890's than was depicted in the film as it was still under the thumb of a decaying Ottoman Empire. The film depicts a race in Arabia so we have to see many Arab characters. One scene showed Omar Sharif as Sheik Riyadh reading a dime novel about the Wild West. That's what the moviemakers have made here as well.

The once scene this American would demand complete accuracy for is the massacre at Wounded Knee. What they showed there better have actually happened.

Despite Mr. Mortensen's blue eyes, he is believable as a laconic cowboy. Zuleikha Robinson as the sheik's daughter is beautiful and Omar is fun. And let's not forget the horse. It gets plenty of screen time and close ups to earn its title billing.

Good adventure.

Having become a fan of Viggo Mortensen due to the lord of the rings trilogy, i set out to see this film with high expectations, and was a bit let down.

Being a "horsey" person, I did find the film entertaining, but the plot did get lost in the middle and it was quiet slow to get started, However the main race sequences were enjoyable, and the connection between horse and rider was clear, making the film moving when Hidalgo has a brush with death. The horse should get an Oscar for his performance as he was the best actor in the film.

If you like horses I would go to see this film, purely to see Hidalgo's performance. But otherwise give it a miss.

Viggo Mortensen is terrific, Omar Sharif is terrific, and the horse, whose name, I believe is J.T. in terrific! And I heard that Viggo loved the horse so much, he bought him. And he rode him to the premier (sp) of the movie. I think Viggo Mortensen is absolutely gorgeous. He's also a painter and a poet. I think this explains his soft-spoken way. He seems like a very sensitive man and this is what I like. I generally see a movie for the stars in it and not particularly the story, which in this case was breath-taking. I also love an animal storyline and this was one. Reminds me of the times years ago when films were of the type you could take your kids to. Bravo HIDALGO!!!!!!

An action adventure, bigger than life, so to speak. There's a bit of a slower start that's not in the tone of the rest of the film, and it also doesn't have any relevance to the main plot. However, when the "real" movie begins, then the spectacle begins. Viggo is great in the lead role of Frank Hopkins, and I also liked Omar Sharif in the role of the sheikh, his relationship with the aforementioned main character Frank is great. The desert was shown to be an extremely dangerous and devastating place so the film reminded me a bit of Lawrence of Arabia precisely because of the spectacular depiction of the desert. Intrigues and hidden motives raise the layering of the film, which is not limited to an "ordinary" race (of course, this is far from an ordinary race). The film gets recommendations from me because films like this are no longer made today (although the film was released back in 2004), and horse lovers will especially like it because they take up a good part of the film.

Hidalgo was more than I thought it would be. I thought the entire movie was going to be just based on the race, but i was proven wrong. It was interesting to here that he was part Native American. But it saddened and disappointed me about how they were treated during the 1800s. the beginning I thought was unnecessary. I have to admit though that I enjoyed the film. I enjoyed the life and death situations he had to go through in order to survive which brought in the action, I liked the comic helper who gave advice that Viggo ignored, and the beliefs of the Egyptians. I also liked the horse, of how brave it was, all the dangerous things it did, how it listened to its master, and how it protected and aided him when needs be. There was mainly two problems with this film. One was that it seemed to go on forever. I wondered when it was time to leave, for it was in the evening. I was getting hungry. The other part was the ending. i won't give it away as much as I can, but he does not get the stunningly, attractive women. But, it was not an everyday adventure film, but its honestly worth seeing.

Joe Johnston doesn't make 'great' movies but he certainly knows how to make a movie entertaining. "Hidalgo" is yet another entertaining Joe Johnston movies with a nice looking visual style and some well shot sequences. Still the story is lacking and prevents this movie from being a must-see.

The real problem with "Hidalgo" is, is that the main story-line is about the 3,000 mile race across the Arabian desert but the movie has many side-plots and events in the movie that has very little to do with the main storyline. It's a times distracting and it makes the movie feel inconsistent at times. At times the movie truly feels like some loose sequences put together to make one movie out of. Not the most consistent movie out there, that's for sure.

But who complains really. "Hidalgo" is a good and fun movie to watch that is a pleasure to watch. The visual style is good and works fine for the Arabic backdrop of the story. The action sequences are surprisingly good and also the visual effects do not disappoint. There truly are some spectacular moments in this movie!

Viggo Mortensen probably wasn't the best choice for Frank Hopkins. Believe it or not, he just wasn't always believable enough as a tough Cobwoy. Still he is a good actor and certainly gives the movie some more prestige. The same goes for the presence of Omar Sharif, who also gets to do some fighting again. The characters are all very stereotypical, something that is a must for a movie like "Hidalgo", that tries to bring some mindless but good entertainment.

Certainly a watchable movie that is better than I heard it was. I can recommend this movie to everyone.

7/10

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I found this movie to be one of the most inspirational that I have seen in a long time. The filming was exceptional. The riding that Viggo Mortensen did was awesome and the horse that was Hidalgo was quite an actor. I was riveted throughout and it should be considered an epic. This movie shows so much about this particular piece of our past and how we started and what happened to the Native American Indians and to the Mustangs. We don't have enough of this kind of movie now. There are children that don't know about these things. There were many messages in this movie that were courageously and sensitively put forth. Viggo Mortensen was perfect in every way as was the horse. I found all of the actors wonderful, the scenery so different from just a western and the horsemanship outstanding. What a movie. I loved it. I will see it again, in the movie theater, and I will buy it when available.

I wouldn't say this movie will go down as one of the classic horse-enthusiast film of all time, but it's a good film.

This movie has some classic elements like a protagonist strung across two worlds (American cowboy relic and Native American) who gets torn between his committments to both and runs away from it...well...runs away from it on horseback anyway. And then there's the 3,000 mile desert race.

Don't worry the good guy triumphs, end of story.

I think the true value of this movie is that it contains a portrayal of Arabic people as honorable (except for a few bad apples). It includes an interesting parallel implied between the Arabic tribes and Native American ones at times.

Overall I would say this movie met my expectations...a nice family film with light moments and inspirational ones. It's not a classic, but is worth seeing.

Mortensen, Sharif and others might have got away with this in a lightning raid, but oh, the teeny-soapsuds! Oh, the quicksands of sugar! Oh, the plonking exposition and the wallowing in goodbyes! Oh, the electronic leopards!

I agree that there was a good film in here, about half to two-thirds as long. Just cut four-fifths of the dialogue and there it would be.

I can see why they wanted to make this, and I can see why they wanted to make it with this cast. And there are quite a lot of good scenes, especially those in which nobody speaks. It was a worthy ambition. But it's a bloody awful script.

Please do not shoot the scriptwriter. He is doing his best.

An excellent, epic tale. This is not a fast-paced film; rather, think of it as story unfolding before your eyes, so sit back and enjoy the ride. There's plenty of adventure along the way, and I shed a few tears as well. It is a moving narrative.

Viggo Mortensen plays the lead character, Frank T. Hopkins, with aplomb, humor, humility, and spunk. Hidalgo, his painted mustang, plays his part well, also! Hopkins is a cowboy/Pony Express rider with a heritage that he holds to himself and is revealed in time. Especially heart-wrenching is the Battle of Wounded Knee. More massacre than battle, it had a profound and personal impact on Hopkins' life.

In the legendary 3,000-mile Ocean of Fire race across the sands of the Arabian desert, Hopkins and his horse must face treachery and the cruel desert elements in an endurance race that pushes man and beast to their limits. If you like horses, adventure, and epic films, this is a movie for you.

Expect moments of triumph and humor that make you laugh and cheer, as well as moments of tragedy. It is a story beautifully told and carefully crafted, though not without mistakes.

A few scenes could have been edited to preserve the epic feel while maintaining the film's pace. At certain points it was natural for the film to slow down, but it should not have been allowed to slow down to the point of stalling. However, in defense of the filmmakers, they were successful in capturing the tedium, beauty and peril of crossing a desert in a 3,000-mile race, and it gave viewers a real feeling for what it might be like to make such a journey.

The relationship Frank T. Hopkins has with his horse in this movie is especially touching, and is perhaps the highlight of the film.

Supporting roles by the rest of the cast were outstanding. Omar Sharif was amazing as always. Even the smallest actors shone in their parts.

Mr. Mortensen's diverse talents, including his aptitude for learning languages (Lakota/Sioux in this case), his own horseback riding skills, and his versatility as an actor made him a perfect fit for this part. Mr. Mortensen's book, Miyelo, which sprang from this movie, is a fine choice for anyone who wants to see a sampling of Mr. Mortensen's outstanding photography.

Frank T. Hopkins remained a staunch advocate of the wild Mustang horse until his death. Keep in mind that the real Frank T. Hopkins was known for his weaving of tall tales; thus, the "legendary" Ocean of Fire race.

A highly recommended movie.

There were some aspects of this movie I really enjoyed. The cinematography was excellent, ranging from the clanking steam train couplngs to shimmering desert panoramas, to the moving and simple effects at Wounded Knee. Viggo Mortensen did a good job as the lead Frank Hopkins, bringing his characteristic sincerity to his role. It was nice to see Omar Sharif and his front teeth again. The horse, Hidalgo, almost outdid Viggo. And here we find one of the great catches of the movie. The man-and-animal-sidekick relationship which works really well here.

Sadly, I found the script quite wanting. The lines attributed to the Arabs and Bedouins were banal and one-dimensional. Their characters (and the Brits) were stereotyped. I felt that the scriptwriters did well in the US, but foundered in some of their own quicksand in the Middle East. I also found myself scratching my head at historical timings. Was Iraq called Iraq back then? When _was_ then?

If you are prepared to ignore the "based on a real..." horse dung, you will enjoy this rollicking adventure, cast much in the same genre as the ripsnorting and politically incorrect cowboy and indian movies of the 50's . To modernise, we move it to 1900's middle east and turn the Indians into Arabs. But what more to expect from Hollywood?

Viggo and his horse make a great pair and between them and the cameras, make this film worth seeing.

The story is based on a real man but not a true story - it is an outright lie. First out, the race of Ocean of Fire is nonexistent. Second the real man is a native of New Jersey and works for digging tunnels for a subway in Pennsylvania. Thirdly, he never worked for Buffalo Bill Show, the closest he came to this was as a horse hand for the Ringling Brother's Circus. Fourthly he had two wives. Making such an adventure a seemingly impossible task since he was married since his childhood. First was a Canadian wife who lives in New Jersey and had several children. The second wife was Gertrude Hopkins, who tried desperately to keep secret of his first married and to promote him as a hero was suspicious when an editor demanded proof that the legend was true, which of course she could not prove. Keeping his family a secret is important so no newspaper writers could verify his story from family members. Oh, yes there is a surviving Hopkins siblings, but they too remain suspiciously silent about this film. Fifth, he had nothing to do with Wounded Knee, or even buying a land to protect the Indians. Sixth, the Indian Chief mentioned in the movie never existed.

Finally and most important: Iraq didn't exist in 1890. It became an independent country in the 1930s. Also newspaper interviews in Philadelphia Public Ledger in 1926 of Frank Hopkins which was made before Iraq existed made no single mention of the great Arab horse race. So my guess is Hidalgo was made up after Iraq became an independent country. If that is not enough, years ago, Hidalgo story has been proved to be a hoax.

I avoided watching Hidalgo movie when it first entered the movie theaters because the feel of "Yankee conquering the East" sounds suspiciously like the Yankee in King Arthur's Day. When I finally had a chance to rent the movie, the mention of Iraq was very suspicious. Also the promotion of any particular horse sounds very suspicious, in this case a single breed that Mustang is good for long distance race is not true, in fact other breeds can also cross the country, such as the Pinto.

All mentions of "hundreds of race" which Frank Hopkins mentioned made me very suspicious. If you watched Seabiscuits you will realize winning "hundreds of race" is nearly impossible. In fact, if Frank Hopkins can do this he could easily beat Seabiscuits and become a millionaire. The truth of Seabiscuit not mentioned in the movie is that the horse was and truly is a real looser. And the reason, which the movie was correct is the bonding between the rider and the horse. So in fact, there was in fact little bonding between Frank and Hidalgo, another red flag when I watched the movie Hidalgo. Other suspicions about the movie includes an awfully liberal Sheik after discovering Frank Hopkins together with his daughter. For those who know how strict Arabs are on this matter, you probably know this "act of benevolence" just doesn't exist, especially in the 1890s. If I suspend the idea of "based on true story" I still find it hard to convince myself where all these "prize money" comes from and why do Arabs bothered to get an American to race and let the American keep all the "prize money" when the Arabs are the partner in sponsoring such an event.

I will not have any spoilers here and will let you decide who won the race.

I give the movie good marks for cinematography, 9/10. A story, even if I think it is true, I just simply did not buy it, I give it 3/10 because it was not convincing enough even if it is A LIE. When I do watch a movie, the story always come first, so I will never complain of any bad fx or cinematography, I do complain about the cardboard actor and the story, therefore I give the movie 3/10.