Hidalgo

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Hidalgo

PG-13

2004

2h 15m

Adventure

Action

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

162 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

06/29/2022

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

12/18/2017

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

12/24/2010

3/5

Formulaic, overly simple, too violent for tweens.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

04/18/2019

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

02/01/2018

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

04/10/2016

2/4

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

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Michael S.

@Suba117 Mar 29

Great movie, ignore the normies.

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CT 8

@ct8787 Mar 21

The " based on a true story" (according to Disney) account of Frank " the counterfeit cowboy" Hopkins. The man now considered to be the biggest conman/fraud in the history of the old west. Frank apparently participated in a gruelling 3000 mile race across Arabia on his trusted mustang ‘Hidalgo’. Unfortunately, the race known as the ‘Ocean of Fire’ has never existed. Nor is there any account of a mustang called Hidalgo on record. Disney knew all this prior to promoting the movie which raises the question….why would Disney laughably claim this movie was based on a true story when they knew the only person claiming this event really happened was a pathological liar incapable of telling the truth? The movie’s definitely cheesy and far fetched, but in spite of this I most likely would have given it a ‘thumbs up if Disney had been honest about the story. They couldn’t bring themselves to do that and I can’t bring myself to endorse a movie based on a lie.

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The Wandering D

@RT87120553 Mar 14

It had been a long time since I had seen this movie. It's pretty darn good for an adventure movie. I thoroughly enjoy it!

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Steven A

@RT08632818 Nov 5

This is one of the most solid action/adventure movies I've ever seen. I actually use it as a bar against other movies of the genre. It's got a great balance of combat, excitement, drama and heart you need for a satisfying romp. It doesn't excel in any of them is really the reason why it doesn't earn a higher rating.

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Savannah G

@Sgudino93 Sep 29

The Scenes were really beautiful, and ultimately the story is incredible - the fact that it is based on a true story is so cool - there were moments of poor acting maybe, but this film was entertaining and I would watch it many times over! I enjoyed it!

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Johannes S

@RT64416087 Aug 6

I am positively surprised as the ratings do not look promising. Although the story is highly hollywoodized, it's still interesting and packed with seriousness and humour. Especially noteworthy is the gorgeous cinematography. Lots of beautiful shots!

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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

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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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