Hidalgo | | Cast : | Viggo Mortensen, Zuleikha Robinson, Omar Sharif | | Director : | Joe Johnston | | Studio : | Buena Vista Home Vid | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | March 05, 2004 | | DVD Released Date : | August 03, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON | Customer Reviews
| Rating |     | | Date | August 06, 2005 | | Summary | Hildalgo review | Content
 | I was disappointed after receiving the DVD that it was in wide screen format only and I have full screen tv. Otherwise, the movie content and quality of the DVD was excellent. |
| Rating |      | | Date | August 05, 2005 | | Summary | Entertaining | Content
 | I'm not sure of the facts of the film but the story is entertaining. |
| Rating |      | | Date | July 22, 2005 | | Summary | If you liked Seabiscuit, you will love Hidalgo.... | Content
 | This was a breath of fresh air...more like the exciting epic adventure movies that Hollywood used to make.
As in Seabiscuit, the rider (Viggo Mortensen) and the horse (Hidalgo) are the target of ridicule...he's a drunk, largely due to guilt over feeling responsible for the Wounded Knee massacre (understandable, since he is half Sioux), and Hidalgo, a rather small horse that is looked down upon because of its mixed ancestry (much like his rider)....until the end of course.
People love the underdog (or "underhorse"). I think this is a product of the realization that we all are underdogs at some time or another....an unappreciative spouse or boy/girlfriend, a boorish boss, etc. We identify with the downtrodden character and are vicariously thrilled when they truimph, usually by humiliating the source of their persecution. In this case we get a double dose of triumph, involving a good man and a wonderful animal.
I defy you to keep a dry eye or your composure as this beautifully photographed and portrayed story unfolds. There are actually two happy endings, the second dependent upon the first, and both will "warm the cockles" of all but the most jaded hearts.
Give this movie a chance....sit back with your family (if you have one) and re-learn an old lesson about the value of character and the indominable nature of human (and animal) will. |
| Rating |     | | Date | July 08, 2005 | | Summary | The Ocean of Fire...... | Content
 | Hidalgo is the story of a three thousand mile race, in the Arabian Desert, where one American must show that will and determination are more than just having royal blood in your veins and a pure breed horse......
When Frank T. Hopkins [Viggo Mortensen], and his horse Hidalgo, start to realize that their racing days may be numbered, they are approached by an "ambassador" as I liked to call it, who tells them that "The Sheikh of Sheikhs" in Arabia, has heard about their races and that people call them the best racing duo in the world.
An invitation is extended to Hopkins to take part in, "The Ocean of Fire" a three thousand mile race across a sea of sand around Iraq and through harsh heat to win a 100,000 dollar prize. Hopkins isn't so sure about the race, but after some pressuring by his friends and a Native American Chief, he agrees and goes to race in his greatest challenge of all.
The movie itself has it all, charaters you can relate to, suspense as the race starts, betrayal by some characters, and emotion as both Hopkins and his horse deal with obstacle after obstacle to win.
Hopkins and his horse are the ones who shine in this movie. They are more than just owner and horse, they are two buddies who have been through a lot and have grown close like brothers. The Sheikh
is also a great character who shows that he can be a man of his word and also a great friend to Hopkins at the end of the movie.
The scenery is very beautiful, even though most of it is sand, sand, and even more sand. The racing horses have their thundering hooves kicking up sand and people on either side of the lane cheering them on. The sand storm is one of the best special effects I have ever seen. It is literally a million feet high and when Hidalgo is racing just a few feet in front of it, it is very exciting.
From the Arabian racers who believe Hopkins won't last a mile, to an owner of a race horse hiring men to kill Hidalgo so their horse can win, to even the Sheikh's daughter getting kidnapped and a rescue party is sent out to save her, so many twists and new plotlines make this a fun story to watch.
The ending is really moving and shows just how much Hopkins loves Hidalgo. Rent this movie or buy it, either way you will enjoy the movie when you sit and watch it. |
| Rating |      | | Date | July 05, 2005 | | Summary | Hidalgo:An American Horse by "horseman 11" | Content
 | This movie was a pretty good show,with the sense of "The Black Stallion","Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade",and "Dances With Wolves".It tells of Frank T. Hopkins,part Lakota or Sioux Indian and half white.In 1890 a Saudi Arabian chieftain invited him and his paint horse,Hidalgo,a mustang stallion,to compete in the longest and most dangerous trek in the Middle East;A 3,000 mile race across the Arabian peninsula.In it,he faces hunger,racism,deadly traps,Bedouin warriors,castaration,and heat.It is a good movie for kids 8 and up(maybe a little intense for young children).I suggest you buy it or rent it- it's a great movie of adventure you'll never forget. |
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