Customer Ratings & Reviews

My father claims this to be the greatest film ever made.

Hidalgo is the well-written, well-acted true story of Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen), the brave rider who, with his smart American horse Hidalgo, competes in The Ocean of Fire - a fierce race in the Middle East, against athletes known not only for their horsemanship, but for their cunning. The movie begins at the Battle of Wounded Knee, where Frank witnesses the true tragedy of the unjust massacre. Later, after having starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, he finds himself competing in the Ocean of Fire, but to Frank, it is more than a matter of proving himself or of winning the race - it is a matter of honor and chivalry. His road is not in the slightest bit smooth - before he can even compete, he must rescue the beautiful strong-willed Princess Jazira (Zuleikha Robinson). Hidalgo is clearly a great 19th Century saga in the sand! Mortensen portrays Frank as a brooding sensitive cowboy. Known not only as an actor, but as a magnificent horseman and brilliant scholar, he is perfect for the role. Our history teachers may mention the Battle of Wounded Knee in history class, but the sorrow on Mortensen's face reflects the tragedy. Likewise, it is a sheer treat to see lifelong horseman Mortensen and Hidalgo, who is played by his own stallion, gallop across the grueling landscape throughout the movie. In The Lord of the Rings, there are many glorious scenes showing Mortensen, as Aragorn, swiftly and magnificently riding his other stallion, but as Frank, Mortensen captures the very essence of a man who has devoted his entire life to the world of horses. Indeed, the word "chivalry" is related to horsemanship because it comes from the Latin word for horseman: "caballarius". If anyone could bring back the romance and the excitement of the Western, without detracting from the tragedy and injustice that occurred throughout the 19th Century, it is Mortensen, and I look forward to seeing him in the newly-released Western Apaloosa. Anyone who loves horses would probably love to see Hidalgo over and over again!

A good adventure movie. The story of the man and his horse is inspiring. Good cast and beautiful horses.

Just your run of the mill "based on a true story" romanticized Hollywood semi-fiction. Vigo Mortensen makes for a convincingly dedicated cowboy in this fish-out-of-water document of an endurance race across the middle east, but can't quite turn the role into anything more substantial than a simple caricature of wild western perseverance. Instead, far too much effort is wasted on the personification of his horse, the titular mustang Hidalgo, who all but opens his mouth and speaks by the time the film is through. Part exaggerated Disney epic and part family-friendly adventure, it's predictable and inoffensive - good for a few breathtaking landscapes and a thick, obvious underlying moral.

This is a very good movie but I felt bad for his horse. Interesting throughout.

This is a great movie to watch with kids or adults. Teaches many life lessons

Have always been a big Viggo Mortenson fan, as well as Omar Sharrif. Beautiful in surround sound widescreen.

If you like cowboy movies, your gonna love this one.