"HIDALGO"
(2004) (Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Moderate	Moderate	Extreme	Moderate	Extreme
Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Mild	None	Heavy	None	Minor
Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Mild	Mild	Mild	Moderate	*Extreme

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QUICK TAKE:

Action/Adventure: A late 19th century American cowboy must deal with the harsh conditions and treachery of his opponents and others as he and his mixed breed mustang participate in a grueling 3,000 mile race across the Arabian Desert.

PLOT:

It's 1890 and former cavalry man Frank T. Hopkins (VIGGO MORTENSEN) and his trusty mustang Hidalgo are performers at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Hiding behind that and many a drink, Frank is still reeling from indirectly being responsible for an American Indian massacre at Wounded Knee Creek some eight months earlier.

Yet, Frank's reputation as a champion long-distance horseback racer has garnered the attention of Arabian Sheikh Riyadh (OMAR SHARIF) who's enamored with America's Old West. His emissary, Aziz (ADAM ALEXI-MALLE), informs Frank that the Sheikh wants him to be the first foreigner to participate in the 3,000 mile "Ocean of Fire" race across the Arabian Desert.

It's not long before Frank's halfway around the world where he meets the Sheikh and his highly spirited daughter, Jazira (ZULEIKHA ROBINSON), who isn't happy that being female means her life is already predetermined for her. Then there's Lady Anne Davenport (LOUISE LOMBARD), an aristocrat from a long line of horse breeders who wants to dip into the genetic pool of the purebred Arabian stallions, and Katib (SILAS CARSON), the Sheikh's nephew who wants to get his hands on the family's horse breeding papers.

Frank is informed that most of the racers and their rides won't even come close to reaching the finish line. Nevertheless, he and Hidalgo set out to win. As they slowly make their way toward the finish line, they must not only contend with the harsh terrain and elements, but also the treachery and disdain of the other riders, such as Prince Bin Al Reeh (SAID TAGHMAOUI) -- who look down on the American and his mixed breed horse - as well as various other distractions.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?

If they're fans of anyone in the cast or period action/adventure flicks, they just might.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13

For adventure violence and some mild innuendo.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

VIGGO MORTENSEN plays an American cowboy who initially turns to booze to deal with his guilt over indirectly being responsible for an Indian massacre. He then accepts an invitation from the Sheikh to participate in the grueling 3,000 mile race. Along the way, he must deal with the elements and treacherous ways of his opponents and others (that includes fighting with and killing some of the villains. He also smokes a few times.

OMAR SHARIF plays the Arabian sheikh who invites Frank to participate in the race, mainly because he's fascinated with the American Old West. While a loving father, he keeps his daughter in her socially recognized place (that includes plans of an arranged marriage) and must deal with the treachery of others.

ZULEIKHA ROBINSON plays his high spirited and forward thinking daughter who isn't happy to have her life restricted and preordained by her gender.

LOUISE LOMBARD plays an aristocratic horse-breeder who wants to win the race so that she can dip into the purebred Arabian horses' gene pool.

ADAM ALEXI-MALLE plays the Sheikh's assistant.

SAID TAGHMAOUI plays one of the racers who isn't happy to have Frank and his mixed breed horse in the race.

SILAS CARSON plays the Sheikh's nephew who turns on him and kidnaps Jazira.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

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Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

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OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a brief summary of the content found in this action/adventure film that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of a handful of minor expletives, while some colorful phrases and brief (and mild) sexual innuendo is present, while a woman briefly comes on to a man.

Violence (presented in an action/adventure rather than graphic realism fashion) consists of various people fighting with and/or killing others (by various means, including gunfire and swords, etc.). Most of that is blood-free (although one scene briefly features a recently severed head), but some of that material and some other moments may be unsettling or tense for some viewers. Some characters smoke and/or drink, and others have varying degrees of bad attitudes.

If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

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ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

Frank and others have whiskey in a saloon.

Seeing that Frank's been drinking and appears intoxicated, a woman states that his gun is loaded "and so are you."

Frank and others playing poker have whiskey on the table.

We see an empty liquor bottle near Frank.

Frank and Mr. Davenport drink gin.

Frank drinks.

Frank drinks again.

Frank and Lady Anne have brandy and she then pours more for them.

Frank drinks.

BLOOD/GORE

Frank has a black eye following a fight.

The Sheik fights off various attackers with his sword, decapitating one (we just see the blood-free head -- from behind -- land on the ground).

Hungry for food, Frank bites down into a dead locust (we hear the crunching sound).

Hidalgo and Frank end up falling into a hidden trap (a deep hole with poles sticking up in it) in the desert plain. We then see that one of those poles has impaled Hidalgo's skin (we see both ends, along with some blood). To free the horse, Frank then cuts through the skin between the entry and exit wounds and pulls the pole out (with some bloody results).

A man falls into a pit where he's impaled by the poles in it (we hear, but don't see the impact and then see him with two poles sticking out of his body -- no blood).

We see some blood from Hidalgo's nose and then again so later.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

Spectators at Buffalo Bill's traveling Wild West show boo and pelt an Indian chief with fruit, etc. when he's brought out.

Miscellaneous men taunt Hidalgo in his stall, one with a pitchfork that he jabs at the horse.

We hear that a former goat herder -- who's been ordered to assist Frank -- stole some milk in the past.

Some viewers might not like a statement that Frank repeats that God didn't make all men equal, but Colt (the pistol manufacturer) did.

A man kicks a young boy forward to make him go get water for Frank.

Various characters are not happy that Frank, a foreigner, is in their race.

A rider bribes some soldiers to tell Frank that a well they're protecting is dry.

When the Sheik jokingly asks his nephew about some coffee and whether a horseshoe thrown into the pot would stand erect, Katib replies, "At your age, perhaps it is the only thing that might."

Katib turns sides (as does one of the Sheik's top assistants), attacks the Sheik's compound, steals the family breeding papers and kidnaps Jazira.

Lady Anne offers Frank money and then herself in exchange for him quitting (so that her horse will win).

Various people conspire against Frank and plot to kill him and/or his horse.

FRIGHTENING SCENES

Scenes listed under "Violence" might also be disturbing, suspenseful or tense to some viewers.

An enormous sandstorm races behind and engulfs several riders. Frank tries to outrace it and takes cover in a deserted compound.

After the Sheik believes that Frank has "violated" Jazira's honor, he orders that she be flogged (she isn't) and Frank be castrated. While Frank is tied to a pole, we see a man sharpening a knife and then approaching and struggling with Frank who tries to convince the Sheik to pardon him (other events occur that prevent the castration).

A rider suddenly falls into a thermal mud pool and finds himself trapped.

Hidalgo and Frank end up falling into a hidden trap (a deep hole with poles sticking up in it) in the desert plain. We then see that one of those poles has impaled Hidalgo's skin (we see both ends, along with some blood). To free the horse, Frank then cuts through the skin between the entry and exit wounds and pulls the pole out (with some bloody results).

Seeing that Hidalgo apparently won't make it, Frank prepares to shoot the horse in the head, but a hallucination distracts him.

We see some men heading toward a corral where they're apparently going to shoot many wild horses to death, but that never happens.

GUNS/WEAPONS

Handguns/Swords: Used to threaten, wound or kill others. See "Violence" for details.

Annie Oakley shoots bottles with her gun as part of a show.

Seeing that Frank's been drinking, a woman states that his gun is loaded "and so are you."

A rifle shot is fired to start a race.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: "Infidel," "What in hell?" "Damn coward," "Bastard son of a jackal" and "Whatever the hell you want."

After a man insults Hidalgo, Frank flips a coin into the air as a distraction and punches him in the face.

Annie Oakley shoots bottles with her gun as part of a show.

JUMP SCENES

None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

A heavy amount of suspenseful, dramatic and action-oriented music plays in the film.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

None.

PROFANITY

At least 4 hells and 2 damns.

SEX/NUDITY

After hearing that it wouldn't be a good idea for Hidalgo to mate with one of the purebred horses, Frank jokingly tells the horse, "Keep your pride tied."

When the Sheik jokingly asks his nephew about some coffee and whether a horseshoe thrown into the pot would stand erect, Katib replies, "At your age, perhaps it is the only thing that might."

Lady Anne comes on to Frank in her quarters (trying to seduce him to drop out of the race), but he simply leaves. When she asks him about her monetary offer to quit, he says he'll sleep on it. She then replies that will be all alone and adds that it's a shame.

SMOKING

Frank smokes several times, while the Sheik smokes once (from a bong-like pipe, although there's no indication it's narcotic based).

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

We hear that the Sheik had five sons who are all dead now by various means.

The Sheik is mad at Jazira when he thinks that she's dishonored and disgraced him (she hasn't and she's mad at him).

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

Whether the story that's shown is true, a tall tale or a combination of both.

Frank spots slaves who've been assembled for sale at a market.

The Sheik mentions having multiple wives and we later hear that Jazira will become the Prince's fifth wife (an arranged marriage) if he wins the race.

Long distance races.

How women were and are treated in other countries.

We learn that Frank is half Indian.

VIOLENCE

Most of the following is done in an action/adventure rather than graphic realism fashion.

After a man insults Hidalgo, Frank flips a coin into the air as a distraction and punches him in the face.

An army man pushes an older Indian woman.

An army man tries to wrestle a rifle from an Indian that he doesn't know is deaf. The gun fires into the air and Army men then open fire on some of the Indians (we see them fall, but don't see the impact or any blood). When Frank returns to the scene, he sees many more dead Indians on the ground as well as an Army guy shoot one last Indian dead.

In Buffalo Bill's traveling Wild West show, we see a faked recreation of the above massacre with shootings, etc.

Hidalgo throws Frank from his back and into the stands at a show (he's okay).

A man holds his sword to Frank, prompting Buffalo Bill to hold his pistol on him.

Miscellaneous men taunt Hidalgo in his stall, one with a pitchfork that he jabs at him. Frank then shows up, and punches and kicks some of those men. One then punches him, another knees him and one hits him on the head with the metal part of a shovel.

A man kicks a young boy forward to make him go get water for Frank.

After a rider falls from his now lame horse, he stabs the horse to death (once) with his knife (no blood).

As Frank prepares to shoot a flushed out rabbit, a rider's falcon seizes and kills it.

Frank punches a soldier he knows is lying to him (about an empty well), sends a tent down onto him and others, and escapes with some water as that first soldier repeatedly shoots at him.

We hear that several riders were lost (presumably killed) during a massive sandstorm.

While tied to a pole, Frank kicks a man backwards.

Katib's forces raid the Sheik's camp, with several shooting or stabbing others (no blood). The Sheik then fights off various attackers with his sword, decapitating one (we just see the blood-free head -- from behind -- land on the ground), stabbing another and slicing others (with no blood). More fighting continues, with more shootings, stabbings and slicing (with no blood). Frank throws a knife into one attacker and then shoots several more (no blood).

A man tries to grab Jazira. In turn, she hits him with a metal tray and then kicks him in the face, but he keeps struggling with her.

The Sheik prepares to behead a captured, kneeling traitor, but Frank kicks the traitor in the gut, punches him and then holds his cowboy boot spur to the man's neck. He then ties a rope around his neck and the other end to Hidalgo, which gets the man to talk.

Frank shoots one man, while Jazira's bodyguard fights with and kills many attackers (impaling and slicing them). Various men then shoot at Frank who shoots back and hits several.

Two jaguars are let loose and we hear one attacking a person.

A man shoots another man and then prepares to shoot Jazira, but the wounded man manages to impale the first man with a spear in the back before dying.

Frank shoots Katib in the hand as the latter prepares to shoot both Frank and Jazira.

Katib shoots and kills a boy who was approaching him.

Lady Anne tries to hit Katib with a crop, but he catches it in flight.

Quite tired, Frank falls from his horse.

One of Katib's men fires a shot at Frank but misses. Various men on horseback then chase after Frank and Hidalgo.

Hidalgo and Frank end up falling into a hidden trap (a deep hole with poles sticking up in it) in the desert plain. We then see that one of those poles has impaled Hidalgo's skin (we see both ends, along with some blood). To free the horse, Frank then cuts through the skin between the entry and exit wounds and pulls the pole out (with some bloody results).

As another rider attempts to pull Frank and Hidalgo from that hole, Katib's men let two jaguars loose that race toward them. They circle and swipe at the horses and one leaps onto and knocks that rider from his horse (that it then jumps onto).

A pet falcon knocks a rider from his horse.

Frank spears a rider.

Katib shoots a man dead.

A man comes at Frank with a sword and easily hacks away the pole Frank is using to defend himself. Frank then throws a knife at that man but misses. That man then realizes he's stepped onto a trap. Frank then uses his rope to spring it and the man falls into the pit where he's impaled by the poles in it (we hear, but don't see the impact and then see him with two poles sticking out of his body -- no blood).

Reviewed February 2, 2004 / Posted March 5, 2004

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