The 2004 movie “Hidalgo” is based on the true story of Pony Express courier Frank Hopkins, circa 1890. Half-white and half-Indian, he doesn’t feel like he belongs in either world. His horse Hidaldgo is an Indian horse and is the best animal around. Together they have carried the mail all over the country.
As the movie begins, Frank (Viggo Mortensen) is given the task to deliver a letter to the troops stationed at Wounded Knee. He doesn’t realize that he’s just delivered the order for the Army to kill all the Indians camped there, and when he discovers what has happened, he’s torn up about it. Leaving the Pony Express and going to work in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, he tries to forget everything that’s happened, but he can’t.
While performing for the show, he is hailed as the best rider in the world. Some men from Arabia are in the audience, and they challenge him, saying he can’t know he’s the best rider until he’s participated in the Ocean of Fire, a horse race across the Arabian deserts. Frank likes the idea of winning the purse, and he sets sail.
The race is treacherous and grueling. The men try to outdo each other and some try to kill each other. In the end, only the very strongest survive.
I appreciated this movie for its strong moral undercurrent. Frank Hopkins was a man of unwavering integrity. The owner of a competing horse, a beautiful Englishwoman, invites Frank to spend the night with her, and he turns her down without making her feel undesirable. He comes upon one of his fellow racers in a quicksand pit and he takes the time to pull him out, even though it costs time. In every regard, Frank does the right thing, and it’s a refreshing change.
This movie does contain some gun fighting and swashbuckling, giving it a rating of PG-13. However, none of the fighting was over the top and I greatly enjoyed the film.
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