Hidalgo Movie Review 2004

Inspired by real-life U.S. Calvary horseman Frank T. Hopkins (Mortensen)--meaning it takes liberties with the truth (which Hopkins himself has been accused of). Old-fashioned adventure story hows the devotion he had for his mixed-breed horse, Hidalgo, as they travel 3,000 miles in 1890 to the "Ocean of Fire" endurance race, going against thoroughbreds and the wild elements of Arabia per the invitation of Sheikh Riyadh (Sharif). Mortensen looks stunning riding his steed, the elegant Sharif stirs up wonderful memories of Lawrence of Arabia, and the visual effects of sandstorms, colossal locusts, and the competition are captivating; however, this kind of story has been told before, with more dramatic twists and turns.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 135 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Adventure Drama, Jockeying for Position, Deserts, Middle East, Period Piece: 19th Century, Aunts & Uncles, Nieces & Nephews, Kidnapped!

Screenplay

John Fusco

Cast

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

Cinematography

Shelly Johnson

Director

Joe Johnston

Music

James Newton Howard

Other

Mary H. Ellis, Robert Dalva, Troy Sizemore, Kevin Constant, Jeffrey Kurland, Barry Robison

Producer

Casey Silver, Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista