Hidalgo

Hidalgo is an epic historical adventure film that was released in 2004. Directed by Joe Johnston and written by John Fusco, it prominently stars Viggo Mortensen, who is best known for his role as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The film also features strong performances from Omar Sharif, an Egyptian actor who achieved international fame with Lawrence of Arabia, and Zuleikha Robinson, a British actress known for her roles in TV shows like Lost and The Following.

Set in the late 19th century, Hidalgo is loosely based on the true story of Frank T. Hopkins, played by Mortensen, a dispatch rider for the U.S. cavalry who has been downgraded to a performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Hopkins' Native American roots and upbringing are a central element to the film’s narrative. The mixed-blood cowboy is grieving over his role in the massacre of his people. He's also a medal-laden long-distance horse racer, struggling with feelings of guilt and enduring an alcohol addiction.

The movie takes a legendary turn when Sheikh Riyadh, played by Omar Sharif, extends an invitation to Hopkins. The sheikh has heard about Hopkins' exploits, becoming intently interested in pitting his own world-class Arabian horses against Hopkins' mustang, Hidalgo, in the harsh Oceans of Fire race, a grueling 3,000-mile survival ride across the Arabian Desert. This race is a traditional yearly event that has never seen a foreign contender until now, let alone a mustang, considered an inferior breed for such a challenging journey.

Predictably, Hopkins accepts the challenge, ultimately offering more than just a chance to race in the most dangerous horse race but an opportunity to find redemption and soothe his tormented soul. Named after Hopkins' horse, Hidalgo, the movie's tile symbolizes that this story isn't just about man, but about man and beast, their bond, trust and the heartening journey they undertake together.

Zuleikha Robinson’s character, Jazira, offers another narrative to the plot. She is the Sheikh’s headstrong daughter, pushed away by the constraints of her traditional role in society and longing for freedom that is mirrored in Hopkins' own objectives. This character offers poignant insight into the limitations for women during the time and region with a beautiful representation of resilience in the face of adversity.

The film is visually vibrant and a testament to the grandeur of the Middle Eastern landscape. With opulent palaces depicting Arabian affluence, bustling marketplace sequences, breathtaking desert panoramas, perilous sandstorms, and thrilling horse-racing scenes, the movie creatively showcases the vast and daunting Arabian Desert. Johnston’s direction successfully manages to craft an atmosphere that engrosses viewers in this foreign world full of culture, traditions, challenges, and beauty.

Viggo Mortensen’s performance breathes life into Hopkins' character, providing the film with a rugged but haunted humane figure at its heart. His effective on-screen chemistry with the intuitive mustang, Hidalgo, is central to the narrative and allows viewers to invest deeply in their shared journey. Omar Sharif adds his natural finesse to Sheikh Riyadh’s character, while Zuleikha Robinson delivers real depth with her portrayal of Jazira.

The plotline of Hidalgo dances on the delicate balance between historical facts and cinematic interpretation, touching on themes of identity, racial prejudices, personal guilt, honor, and survival. While some may argue about the filmic liberties taken in telling this story, viewers cannot ignore the movie's heartening message about courage and endurance – both elemental to the narrative and the human spirit.

In conclusion, Hidalgo is a captivating saga of endurance, belief, personal struggle and eventual redemption. It is a testament to the human spirit, which, when combined with the spirit of Hidalgo, takes viewers on an unforgettable journey across the unforgiving yet extraordinarily alluring Arabian Desert. This is more than just a story of a man and his horse – it's an exploration of the cultural divide, human resilience, tradition versus modernity and the undying bond between a cowboy and his mustang.