Movie Review: Hidalgo

Hidalgo

Ostensibly the true story* of half Sioux-half European Frank T. Hopkins and his legendary long-distance horseback rides, Hidalgo tells the tale of what must be viewed as Hopkins' greatest race: that covering 3,000 miles of Arabian desert, pitting Hopkins and his Mustang, Hidalgo, against highly prized and well bred Arabian horses and their skilled riders. Epic in scope and literally spanning the globe, Hidalgo set out to be an action adventure story I've been referring to as "Seabiscuit of Arabia." But though a compelling story is the basis for the film, the movie itself only partially succeeds in its lofty goals.

Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is uncertain as to his place in the world. With his Native American heritage, he both sympathizes with the plight of his people in the climate of late 19th century America and tries to push it aside in favor of his European ancestry. Frank is a loner who spends most of his time with his horse, Hidalgo. He's a legendary long-distance champion who has purportedly never lost a race, but he is also a drunken cast member of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show where he's billed as the greatest long-distance racer ever. When a group of visitors from Arabia take exception to the title, they invite Frank to race against the horses and riders they consider to be the best in the world. Shamed into accepting the challenge, Frank sets sail for the "Ocean of Fire" contest.

Upon his arrival in Arabia, Hidalgo is the butt of many jokes. And Frank himself is derogatorily referred to as "Cowboy" by the other contestants. Sheikh Riyadh (Omar Sharif) is the patron of the race, and he has his own champion steed entered into the competition. Ridden by Prince Bin al Reeh (Said Taghmaoui), the Arabian stallion is assumed the winner before the race even gets underway. As an added incentive, in addition to the substantial purse, the Prince looks forward to making the Sheikh's daughter Jazira (Zuleikha Robinson) his sixth wife after he crosses the finish line in first place. But there's real competition in the horse owned by Brit Lady Anne Davenport (Louise Lombard), and she is determined her own mare will win so that she can demand breeding rights with some of the Sheikh's champion stock. Hidalgo, of course, is utterly dismissed by all as a contender in a contest many view as the toughest in the world, and which annually takes its toll in the deaths of horses and riders alike.

Viggo Mortensen obviously has a great seat on a horse, and the relationship between the actor and the Mustang - called TJ and purchased by Mortensen after the film wrapped - came through loud and clear on screen. Mortensen frequently mumbled his lines, however, and while that's probably perfectly logical for the loner that Hopkins was, it makes for occasionally difficult understanding in the theatre. Still, Mortensen both looks and acts the part of Frank Hopkins, and his portrayal can't otherwise be faulted. Omar Sharif is good as a traditional Arab Sheikh who is working hard to bring himself and his subjects into a more modern age; Louise Lombard is frostily cool, even in the desert sun, as the calculating Lady Davenport. Believe it or not, though, it's the horse that steals scenes more often than not. He may be a fine riding animal and a loyal companion, but that horse belongs in front of the camera and it almost appears that he knows it.

The cinemetography of Hidalgo is beautiful. Filmed on location in both North America and Morocco, there are scenes of the American west and the Arabian desert that will both, in dramatically different ways, take your breath away. The story, too (though almost certainly an exaggeration if not an outright falsehood in some aspects), is gripping. It's thus unfortunate that a lack of judiciousness in the edits (and perhaps in the script as well) take what could have measured up as the action adventure movie it's advertised to be and lower it to the barely average. Still, there's something to be learned from Hidalgo beyond simply the travels and travails of a man trying to find himself and a horse whose courage knows no bounds.

Scenes that depict - though not at length or with great detail - the abhorrent treatment of Native Americans by the US government are horrifying. And those that show the same government attitude toward the beautiful and free wild Mustang population are appalling. One thing we do know with certainty about the real Frank T. Hopkins is that he was a strong advocate on behalf of the Mustang. And if Hidalgo brings other people to tears the way it did me, then perhaps his message will live on in the hearts of those to whom freedom and justice matter even after the movie itself has faded into the past. As far as I'm concerned, the movie is two hours of mostly diverting entertainment, and about 15 minutes of a history lesson we shouldn't ever be allowed to forget. The latter fact in and of itself makes me believe that the more people who buy a ticket to Hidalgo, the better.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Hidalgo is rated PG-13 for "adventure violence" and some "mild innuendo." I can't recommend the movie for small children because there are a few scenes involving severely injured horses that will almost certainly be traumatic for little ones. But older kids will like the racing scenes, and everyone will (we can hope) learn something of a history many Americans would just as soon sweep under the rug.

* Much of Hopkins' exploits are considered fictitious, with one modern-day historian calling Hopkins a "pathological liar." For more on the false claims concerning Frank T. Hopkins' exploits as as long distance racer as well as information on long distance racing (which does, by the way, continue in the present day), visit The Long Riders Guild web site. Those who want to know more about the real Frank T. Hopkins and to get information on both the still wild Mustangs of the American West and those Mustangs now being bred for their unique characteristics, visit FrankHopkins.com.