“Hidalgo” is a modern version of the kind of rousing, completely illogical adventure movie that played downtown cinemas for generations of happy children. Right after the newsreel, a horse chase! And bad guys with rifles! And a tight-lipped, seen-it-all hero who’d rather save his horse than kiss a girl!
Too many families passed up this winner in 2004, but it’s getting a well-deserved second life on DVD. And if you’d rather watch it for free, “Hidalgo” is showing on AMC at 6 p.m. this coming Saturday.
The story follows American cowboy Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen, of “The Lord of the Rings” fame) as he takes his mustang to a legendary race in the Arabian desert. Along the way, Hopkins and Hidalgo are beset by cruel rivals, gorgeous princesses, scheming rich ladies and blinding dust storms. Mortensen has that cowboy way about him, and the drama is leavened by some old-fashioned sidekick humor.
Some of the movie is even true – Hopkins was a renowned winner of long-distance horse races in the late 1800s.
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com; find the “Screen Team” blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
