Hidalgo

There are many films that provide human and animal friendship and integration. The common point of most of them is the bond they establish with their owners and the races they participate in. I guess I would not be wrong if I say that dogs are at the forefront in this field. Animal love must be instilled in every human being. I believe that people who value animals are more conscientious, emotional, positive and empathetic people.

Released in 2004, the film Hidalgo is an American, Moroccan production. The Ocean of Fire Races, which have been organised in Arabia for centuries, take place between Arabian horses and Bedouin riders. An Arab Sheikh invites Frank Hopkins (played by Viggo Mortense) to the race. Hopkins accepts the invitation to participate in the race with his Mustang horse Hidalgo. But the race is the world's longest race in the desert.

As you can understand, Hidalgo, which gives the film its name, is Hopkins' colourful horse. Although the film is about a tough horse race with a challenging course, 100 horses and their owners will do anything to win. This includes resorting to illegality in a legal race. This turns the film into an adventure film full of action scenes.

I must say that I quite liked the film, despite its long duration, it does not get boring in any scene and keeps the time flowing fast. However, in some scenes, I liked the horse Hidalgo more than its owner Hopkins and I saw him more determined. Hopkins, who received such a race invitation, should have been more eager to compete, but the horse Hidalgo had a lot of desire that was not visible in him and left a good impression during the viewing.

For example, when Hopkins was offered 30 per cent of the money promised to the winner in return for withdrawing from the race, he gave the impression that he would accept the offer, but horse Hidalgo showed a solid and ethical stance by taking his place on the racing line before his owner.

The fact that the race was in the desert, which is difficult in terms of the course, gave the expectation that the racers would struggle with heat and thirst more than each other, but during the race, the illegal interventions made to the racers rather than the difficulties of the course came to the fore. It is as if they deliberately tried to add action to the film and give the impression that the film is not just about racing. This does not look very bad throughout the film and it is acceptable because it is kept away from exaggeration.

If you are familiar with films that reinforce human and animal friendship, you will see inspirations from such films you have seen in the past and you will make comparisons with other films you have seen. I did it and I think that Hidalgo is ahead among similar films.

I have no hesitation in recommending the film because, except for a few minor nuances in a few details, the film is entertaining and appeals to all ages. Especially at the end of the film there is such a scene; thousands of horses start running in the open field at the same time. Definitely worth seeing! And although the scene of Hidalgo joining the other horses is a bit dramatic, freedom for every creature should be beautiful.

Spiritual values are always ahead of material values. If I look at the film Hidalgo as a big picture, I see it as a very good production in terms of reminding and assimilating spiritual values. In the film, there are mini references to unnecessary familiar conflicts between east and west. In this respect, it can also be perceived as a social message, but the mini references I mentioned include scenes that only careful viewers can understand.

And the cowboy rides his horse towards the setting sun!

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