Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Director Joe Johnston has always had an entertaining sense of adventure, and with Hidalgo he proves it in spades. It's yet another underrated film for Johnston (along with such enjoyable popcorn flicks as The Rocketeer and Jurassic Park III), dismissed by many critics but a welcome treat for anyone drawn to good ol'-fashioned movie excitement. In his first role since playing Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Viggo Mortensen brings handsome appeal to his low-key portrayal of Frank T. Hopkins, a real-life long-distance horse racer who, as the movie opens, has witnessed the appalling massacre of Native Americans at Wounded Knee in 1890. Drifting into Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, he agrees to compete, with his trusty mustang, Hidalgo, in "The Ocean of Fire," a treacherous 3,000-mile horse race across the Arabian desert. Toss in a bunch of conspiring competitors, a noble sheik (Omar Sharif), his lovely daughter (Zuleikha Robinson), and enough fast-paced danger to fill 133 minutes, and you've got a rousing, humorous, and lightly spiritual adventure that's a lot of fun to watch. It hardly matters that it's almost pure fiction (the real Hopkins was known by many as "a pathological liar"). More important is the love of movies and moviemaking that Johnston so delightfully conveys. --Jeff Shannon
From the studio
• Sand & Celluloid Featurette
• THE HORSE IS GOOD - 'Easter Egg'
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The only reason I found out about Hidalgo was because my family rented it from a small corner shop quite a while ago. It was supposed to be just be a popcorn flick that would entertain us one dull Friday evening in winter. So my expectations were not high, so I was totally amazed by this film. Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings) and Omar Sheriff (Lawrence of Arabia) gave tremendous performances and really carried the film well. The action scenes were fun, exciting and graphic enough to keep us teenagers entertained. The storyline was simple yet clever at the same time, and the film was basically fantastic.
More than just a good popcorn flick, an excellent film that managed to become hugely successful without the help of all the marketing etc. that Hollywood feels is necessary for every one of their disappointing turn-outs. 'A splendid romp'...as Jonathan Ross put it.
More than just a good popcorn flick, an excellent film that managed to become hugely successful without the help of all the marketing etc. that Hollywood feels is necessary for every one of their disappointing turn-outs. 'A splendid romp'...as Jonathan Ross put it.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is rather good. The storyline is easy to follow and the plot is in the same place but you can't really change it in this movie.
Based on a true story, Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen, Lord of the Rings) is a wild cowboy type of man who races in long distance horse races though the country. His horse, called Hidalgo, who is a mustang has great endurance and has led Frank to never loose a race in his life.
Frank is invited to race in The Ocean of Fire, a 3000 mile race across the Arabian Desert along with the Arabians best horse racers. They are vicious racers and are not afraid to cheat. Can Hidalgo and Frank outrun the other competitors? Or will they die of thirst by sizzling in the baking hot sun?
This is a good adventure with some great action scenes. You're into it after the first 5 minutes. An outstanding performance by Viggo Mortensen and a great performance by 2 time Golden Globe award winner, Omar Sharif (Lawrence of Arabia). Also starring Said Taghmaoui (Three Kings).
It's something different to what you usually see. Overall a good film which will give you a fun two hours.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought this DVD purely from seeing the trailer advertised on TV. I have to say that I was not disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed this film from beginning to end.
There is a suprisingly old fashioned feel about this movie - it's the kind of film you thought Hollywood didn't make anymore. For a start, it has gorgeous cinematography, traditional heroes and villains and a plot you can actually follow! With it's 'wannabe' grandeur (of films like Lawrence of Arabia, English Patient, et al) and a good serving of action and comedy (in the Indiana Jones, The Mummy, etc, style) this makes for enjoyable viewing. Add to this state-of-the-art CGI special effects by 'Industrial Light & Magic' and it really does become something special.
And because it's an old fashioned kind of film, the kids can enjoy it too! Highly recommended.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
"...Lost The Race...But Won A Friend..."
*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 'BLU RAY' VERSION ***
For such a huge production piece - Joe Johnston's expertly directed "Hidalgo" seems to have eluded everybody. Read more
For such a huge production piece - Joe Johnston's expertly directed "Hidalgo" seems to have eluded everybody. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mark Barry, Reckless Records, London
Great adventure movie
The combination of Viggo Mortensen, Hidalgo (the horse!), and others, and a great script with lots of action, make this one of my favorite flicks! Read more
Published 8 months ago by hotrainer
Hidalgo
Bought as a present. Did not view before haanding over so have not seen, but the reveiws on the film were good.
Published 12 months ago by M. H. Dow
Entertaining film
Suitable for all the family. Good adventure film with a bit of comedy thrown in.
Published 18 months ago by Chris P Baykon
A Horse is the Star
The hero of this movie is the horse - Hidalgo - and the movie is based on the true story of Frank T Hopkins the greatest long distance rider of all time. Read more
Published 23 months ago by G. M. Buchanan
Seen movies like this before
Even though this movie is very nice visually, the plot reminds me of some cheapo action movies I've seen. Some scenes were just silly. Read more
Published on 23 April 2010 by Petri
Total BS, but a tearjerker, even for men
A classic "Hollywood" style to it, a style forgotten until Spielberg reminded us of what had been forgotten. Furthermore, a reconciliation of Euro-Americans with Native Americans. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2009 by JCV
Great film
I think it's a great story and well played. I would recommended it for people who like horses!
Published on 6 July 2009 by M. M. Saillet
Hidalgo,fabulous entertainment
This is a terrific story with fabulous scenery, unforgetable horses and good acting. Good all round family entertainment
Published on 6 Feb 2009 by Mr Bo Jangles
Great film!
A great film, for all the family. Lots of action, superbly understated roles from Viggo and Omar. They rarely make films like this anymore, not relying on violence or sex, it's... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2008 by Writer
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
