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Parents' Guide to

Hidalgo

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Formulaic, overly simple, too violent for tweens.

Movie PG-13 2004 120 minutes
Hidalgo Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

MrsVance11
MrsVance11 Adult
June 4, 2012
age 10+

Really? This movie scored a 3 for sexuality? Not even.

I'm AMAZED this movie was rated a 3 for sexuality. Are you serious? I don't even think there's any kissing in this movie! There's a very veiled and mild reference to her offering sex, and another reference for castration, but if your kid isn't old enough to knot what they're talking about, it'll go right over their heads. There's violence, but it's just shoot em up sequences. There is a scene where someone's beheaded, but it lasts for 2 seconds and if you're paranoid about it, simply view it first. I think the images of the slaughtered natives serve as an educational element to this movie. This is one of my favorite films.
MommaZ
MommaZ Parent of baby and 7-year-old
August 29, 2010
age 8+

Enjoyable "western" in the East

I am surprised by some of the negative reviews! This is a GREAT old-fashioned "western" - the hero doesn't even kiss the girl. OK - some violence, but not as graphic as stuff they see on TV. The wounded knee imagery (bodies on the ground AFTER the massacre) are disturbing - but food for discussion. The castration reference went over the head of my 7 year old. I am careful with what he watches, and though he was scared/nervous at spots, we all enjoyed it. We did, however, watch it on television, so I don't know what was edited out.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In 1890, courier Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortenson) and his dappled mustang Hidalgo were the undefeated champions of endurance riding competitions, races of hundreds, even thousands of miles. After Hopkins delivers a dispatch that leads to the massacre of Native Americans at Wounded Knee, he starts drinking, stops racing, and gets a job re-enacting cowboy and Indian battles in the Buffalo Bill show. Then he is challenged to compete in the world's oldest endurance race, a 3000 mile race across the Arabian desert. Also entering the competition is a horse owned by a powerful Shiekh (Omar Sharif), for whom winning is a matter of pride, and one owned by a titled Englishwoman (Louise Lombard), for whom it is a matter of money. A win would give her access to the finest thoroughbred Arabians for breeding. Hopkins and Hidalgo face treacherous conditions and even more treacherous competitors. A sandstorm, locusts, quicksand, and a detour to rescue a kidnapped princess provide many opportunities for swashbuckling action and spectacular cinematography.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (4 ):

The action and scenery of HIDALGO are entertaining. But the script is overly simple and formulaic. It's too violent for a PG audience, but not thoughtful or original enough for a PG-13 audience. There is a lot for the eyes, but not enough for the heart.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Hopkins was so conflicted about his heritage and how his experience in the race made him understand it differently. They might want to look this tribute to "the legend of Frank Hopkins" and comments like these from historians who say that he fabricated his stories.

Movie Details

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