Hidalgo (Blu-ray)
Directed by Joe Johnston
Studio: Touchstone
Year: 2004
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 1080p AVC codec
Running Time: 136 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Audio: PCM 5.1 English; Dolby Digital 5.1 English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
MSRP: $ 29.99
Release Date: April 1, 2008
Review Date: March 20, 2008
The Film
4/5
An exciting and fact-based incident in the life of Western horseman and showman Frank T. Hopkins makes for an adventurous and diverting film in Joe Johnston’s Hidalgo. Though there may be some historians who would dispute some of the facts about the man and this particular race, such particulars wouldn’t lessen for a moment the very real emotions on display nor the very real entertainment value of this well made biographical saga.
In 1890, a 3,000 mile horse race across the Arabian desert known as the Ocean of Fire drew entries from places other than Arabia. One such entrant was Frank T. Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen), a part Indian cowboy who had left the U.S. Cavalry to tour unhappily with Buffalo Bill Cody’s (J.K. Simmons) Wild West Show. The cast of the show had put up the money to allow Hopkins to compete, the incentive being the $100,000 prize money which would allow Hopkins to buy an enormous herd of mustangs which the U.S. government had planned on destroying. Riding the fabled Spanish mustang Hidalgo that had won quite a few previous long-distance races, Hopkins finds that he will have more to fight than merely the searing heat and the enormous expanse of desert. As an American outsider, he’s considered an infidel and his horse, not being an Arabian from a long line of nobly bred horses, is thought to be nothing more than a mongrel. There are those who need his horse to lose for their own selfish purposes, either matters of pride or for their own breeding plans for their winning steeds. As the race gets underway, he sees he has far more enemies than friends in this faraway land.
The race is split into two parts in the film with a lengthy non-race middle section. Each of the race halves contains exciting action and some unexpected occurrences, particularly in the second half where those who wish to see Hopkins fail become more desperate and resort to some very surprising skullduggery. Even the middle rest section, however, contains a kidnapping and a very intriguing rescue which ups the adventure ante considerably, all of it superbly directed by Joe Johnston as an almost sub-level Indiana Jones adventure. Wind storms, locust attacks, abductions, and perilous traps: Hidalgo has them all.
Viggo Mortensen is picture-perfect casting as Frank Hopkins. Confident without cockiness, soft-spoken but with steel-jawed determination, the character is tailor-made for Mortensen’s talents, and he rises admirably to the occasion. The bond between horse and master is beautifully and believably conveyed and a pleasure to watch. Omar Sharif plays Arab Sheikh Riyadh who sponsors the race but whose sons have all been lost and now has left only a daughter (Zuleikha Robinson) who’s forbidden from taking part in the race but is drawn to this foreign cowboy. Snooty British matron Lady Anne Davenport (Louise Lombard) is likewise drawn to the American’s allure, and she tries a monetary and later sexual seduction hoping to persuade him to either lose gracefully or even withdraw, obviously without success. Lombard’s performance is enjoyable if rather too obvious. The various participants and evildoers are all rather one dimensionally drawn but nevertheless effective. (And look quickly for Malcolm McDowell in an unbilled one scene role.)
Mustang preservationist John Fusco wrote the screenplay for the film, obviously drawing greatly on his love for the animals and his genuine concern for their continued survival. He’s packed the film with enough rousing action and derring-do to satisfy any adventure lover. Either as soft-sell propaganda or popcorn adventure, Hidalgo is a fun time in your home theater.
Video Quality
4/5
The film’s 2.40:1 Panavision aspect ratio is presented in 1080p using the AVC codec. Image sharpness is strong throughout the film though its dimensionality wavers occasionally with the gathering of dust and smoke. Though most of the color is exceptional looking with some breathtaking vistas, there is one brief bit of noise in a sunset which diverted the attention from the otherwise stunning visuals. The subtitles for the Bedouins are easy to read. The film is divided into 18 chapters.
Audio Quality
5/5
The PCM 5.1 audio track (4.6 Mbps) makes sensational use of the soundfield with sweeping sound effects that wash over the viewer several times during the film, discreet pans that add a real presence, and wise use of music in both the fronts and rears. A climactic stampede brings the subwoofer wonderfully into the mix deepening the aural experience markedly.
Special Features
2/5
“Sand & Celluloid” is a 9-minute making of featurette with the director, screenwriter, and star speaking about the rigors of filming in a faraway land with the enormous man and horsepower needed, the climate almost always functioning as an adversary, and the logistics of coordinating the shooting schedule which dragged on far longer than the actual 1890 race. Some good information is contained in this, but the story of the movie’s production needed a much more thorough retelling. It’s presented in 480i.
“America’s First Horse” is a paean to the Spanish mustang with a fine mini-history lesson on the horse’s introduction to America, its use by the Indians, its outrageous misuse, and recent efforts to preserve it. This 21½ minute featurette is also presented in 480i.
Two previews are offered on the disc in 1080p: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. The trailer for Hidalgo is not included.
In Conclusion
4/5 (not an average)
Hidalgo is an adventure lover’s dream: a race drama filled with action featuring one of our most charismatic stars of the moment. What’s not to like?
Matt Hough
Charlotte, NC
[PG]113016904[/PG]
