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Review by: Jack Foley | Rating:
Two
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: 'Sand And Celluloid' featurette
(9 mins); The Horse Is Good (Easter Egg).
HOLLYWOOD, it seems, seldom allows the facts to get in the way
of a good story. In Hidalgo’s case, the story in question
is terrific fun, which makes for perfect family viewing, but the
tale it purports to tell may never have happened.
Viggo Mortensen, in his first significant role since the Lord
of the Rings trilogy, stars as legendary cowboy racer, Frank
T Hopkins, who is invited to enter the Ocean of Fire, a gruelling,
3,000-mile survival race across the Arabian desert, with his trusted
horse, Hidalgo.
The ensuing race becomes not only a fight for survival, but a
matter of pride and honour for many of the participants, as well
as the chance for Hopkins to exorcise some past demons, and face
up to his Indian background.
And, for the most part, it is a rousing story, well-told by Jurassic
Park III director, Joe Johnston, which makes the most of its
lavish locations, as well as its action-adventure potential.
The only thing is that viewers may become blinded by the sandstorm
surrounding its historical accuracy, for while Hopkins and Hidalgo
undoubtedly existed, the film has landed in trouble with the Long
Riders' Guild (LRG), an international equestrian group, who seriously
question the validity of its claims.
According to the LRG, Hopkins was ‘a counterfeit cowboy’,
who invented his tales for publication in a book he wrote decades
after his alleged achievements. Their comments are chronicled
in a book, Hidalgo and Other Stories.
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The film has also fallen foul of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, which has, almost inevitably, criticised it for stereotyping
Muslims and Arabs, and for presenting, as fact, a race that they
claim never existed.
Hopkins may never even have set foot in Arabia, according to
other sources, who are wary of the movie’s post-script, which
bills Hopkins as a hero.
These are claims that its star, Mortensen, vigorously denies,
but, with this in mind, it is perhaps all the more understandable
why Hidalgo feels less of a story in its own right, as it does
a collection of other movies - albeit carried off in such a way
as to appear like a homage.
Johnston, himself, states that he ‘envisioned this as an
action-adventure in the vein of the classics of the 40s and 50s,
a terrific story that includes high drama, incredible action,
exotic locations and, of course, a great hero’.
Yet the film also feels like a family version of The
Last Samurai, given Hopkins’ self-loathing for helping
to commit military atrocities, mixed with elements of Lawrence
of Arabia, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Seabiscuit
and Sinbad.
It is also hindered by a curiously tedious running time, which
is likely to leave some feeling saddle sore.
Yet, for all of its failings, and dubious grounding in reality,
the film does remain a hopelessly old-fashioned, feel-good story,
which is bolstered by a typically charismatic star turn from Mortensen
and a wily supporting performance from the veteran Omar Sharif.
It may suffer by comparison with those it is trying to imitate,
but it possesses bundles of energy, during its action set pieces,
and a compelling central relationship between man and horse.
For those willing to ride along with it, there is plenty to enjoy
- so long as you don’t fall for all that it preaches.
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