Hidalgo

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Hidalgo

PG-13,

2004,

2h 15m,

Adventure/

Action/

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

46%

158 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

100,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

158 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Rugged cowboy Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is an expert horseman who performs in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. When affluent Sheik Riyadh (Omar Sharif), piqued by tales of Hopkins' talent, challenges Hopkins to prove himself in a treacherous long-distance horse race called the Ocean of Fire, Hopkins is forced to oblige. In the Middle East with his American mustang, he must race against thoroughbred horses ridden by the best riders in the world with his reputation -- and his life -- at stake.

Critics Consensus

The scenery looks great, but this overstuffed horse story contains too much cheese.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Jun 29, 2022

This big-budget western bears a striking resemblance to the recent Tom Cruise vehicle The Last Samurai, though it's more fun and less pretentious.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Dec 18, 2017

Sharif grounds the silliness a little. When he looks across the desert with those eyes that have always hinted that hard weather is coming, everybody else rushing around the set looks overdressed for a costume party.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 24, 2010

3/5

Formulaic, overly simple, too violent for tweens.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

Apr 18, 2019

2/5

Although some of the colonial stylization is impressive, this Mortensen post-"Rings" vehicle is pure horse neck and camel meat.

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Mark Steyn

The Spectator

Feb 1, 2018

The film itself can't seem to decide whether it's a Saturday morning serial for the kids, a new Indiana Jones, or something with a bit more dramatic heft

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Apr 10, 2016

2/4

...the film's hold on the viewer dwindles steadily as it enters its progressively dull midsection...

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Oct 6, 2018

Hugo Mortenson is so foxy in this movie, brilliant scenery, great story line. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, very worth seeing.

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Rey P

Aug 28, 2018

While it's not 100% based on fact the movie is thrilling, kept me on my toes and was exciting to watch.

Ron W

Jun 1, 2017

It wants to be epic, but is somewhat tedious.

George S

Feb 14, 2017

In an unfamiliar territory, everything's a big challenge. The film was inspired by the American legend Frank Hopkins and his horse Hidalgo. They sail across the oceans to the Arabian desert to take part in a race. This adventure tells their new experience in an unknown territory competing with the greatest riders of the region. Alongside a misunderstanding leads to an unexpected confrontation. From there, how they escape and make back to home halfway across the world is the remaining film to disclose. A different kind of western that takes place in the original timeline of the cowboy culture which is the late 19th century. But the film has only one cowboy, because of where the story sets in. This film came straight after LOTR. Viggo Mortensen was good and his stunts were excellent. The initial parts that commence in America was heartbreaking and I liked the conclusion as well. It reminded me the animation film 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'. Though the film was more about Frank Hopkins and the horse had a good influence on the story as the film title suggests. Long film, but worth it. Surely won't be a waste of time to give it a try. 7/10

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Abraham S

Jan 20, 2013

I enjoyed this movie and the great race across the continent, also had a good cast

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Joe Johnston

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Frank T. Hopkins

Omar Sharif

The Sheik

Louise Lombard

Lady Anne Davenport

Said Taghmaoui

Prince Bin al Reeh

Peter Mensah

Jaffa

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Synopsis

Rugged cowboy Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is an expert horseman who performs in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. When affluent Sheik Riyadh (Omar Sharif), piqued by tales of Hopkins' talent, challenges Hopkins to prove himself in a treacherous long-distance horse race called the Ocean of Fire, Hopkins is forced to oblige. In the Middle East with his American mustang, he must race against thoroughbred horses ridden by the best riders in the world with his reputation -- and his life -- at stake.

Director: Joe Johnston
Producer: Casey Silver
Screenwriter: John Fusco
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Dune Films, Touchstone Pictures, Casey Silver Productions, Hidalgo Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Mild Innuendo|Adventure Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $67.3M
Runtime: 2h 15m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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