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Hidalgo (2004) Movie Review Summary

Actors: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Zuleikha Robinson, Louise Lombard

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Hidalgo (2004)


This movie is based on the true story of a horse racer and his horse, Hidalgo. Frank Hopkins and Hidalgo are challenged to a 3000 mile race across the Arabian Desert. They accept and head over to the race. As the race begins, some of the racers don't like Hidalgo and Frank. Frank then battles racers and natural elements as they try to win the race.
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The review of this Movie prepared by Jack Bauer




This Raiders of the Lost Ark-style picture has the all the right ingredients of an old action blockbuster. There's an ever comical hero, his helpful companion, a damsel in distress, and an evil villain to be stopped. Frank Hopkins is a very distinguished rider, who loves a good race, but doesn't care whether he wins or loses. He and his horse, Hidalgo are then asked to race in the Arabian Desert. At first, he refuses, but then he decides to do it. There, he meets Lady Davenport, who will stop at nothing to get her horse across the finish line. When the race organiser's daughter is kidnapped by raiders, Frank volunteers to save her, which he does. Now it's time to win the race, without any distractions. The lead actor, Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings) plays Frank like a young Kirk Douglas. Along with amazing special effects, and wonderful backdrops of sand, sand, and more sand, this film is fun. Just put your feet up (not literally) and relax.
The review of this Movie prepared by Estefan Ellison




Frank Hopkins (Mortensen), an express rider and long-distance horse racer, is a mixed breed, just like his trusty mustang Hidalgo. After witnessing the massacre at Wounded Knee, he joins Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and becomes an alcoholic. But the promise of a last big race -- a 3,000-mile trek across the Arabian deserts from Aden to Syria -- rouses him out of his stupor and he ships to Saudi Arabia to meet the "Sheikh of Sheiks," Sheikh Riyadh (charming Sharif), and race his thoroughbred Arabians. Also in the race is a wealthy British woman Lady Anne Davenport (Lombard), who will do almost anything to win. Another party with a lot riding on the outcome, so to speak, is the sheikh's daughter Jazira (Robinson), who will become a detested prince's fourth wife if his horses win. Pay no attention to Disney Studios' claims that this is a true story. Hopkins apparently made most of it up. But it's great fun anyway, and the location shooting in Morocco, Montana, South Dakota makes for some lovely sights.
The review of this Movie prepared by David Loftus



Script Analysis of Hidalgo (2004)

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Actual chase scenes or violence 36.7%Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 33.3%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 30% Time/Era of Movie:    -   16th-19th century Wilderness adventure    -   Yes Plotlets:    -   getting to know a nice woman    -   surviving natural elements Sports story?    -   horse racing    -   Yes

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   cowboy Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White (American)

Setting

United States    -   Yes Asia/Pacific    -   Yes Asian country:    -   Arabia Africa    -   Yes Part of Africa:    -   Arabic Africa Desert?    -   Yes Desert:    -   dying of thirst, sunburn    -   hostile arabs Misc setting    -   fort/military installation

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   moderately messy visuals of dead Kind of violence:    -   hand to hand    -   guns    -   knives    -   swords Unusual forms of death    -   impaled    -   decapitated    -   perforation--bullets    -   perforation--swords/knives Any profanity?    -   None If this is a kid's movie...    -   Ages 10-15 Is this movie based on a    -   book

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