Hidalgo 2004

As the curtain opens on this cinematic tale, we find ourselves in the dusty midst of a high-stakes horse racing competition, where Frank Hopkins (played by Val Kilmer) and his trusty steed, Hidalgo, are putting their skills to the test against a haughty “gentleman” adversary. With Frank’s remarkable riding prowess on full display, they effortlessly leave their opponent in the dust, claiming victory with flair. Following this triumphant win, Frank seeks solace in a well-deserved celebratory drink at the local saloon, where he encounters a young army officer with a stern message from the powers that be.

This solemn missive orders Frank to transport vital information to a high-ranking official, who is observing the Wounded Knee Indian reservation. As Frank arrives at the scene, he bears witness to the devastating aftermath of an horrific tragedy, where every Indian life has been brutally taken. The stark reality of this atrocity hangs heavy in the air as Frank returns to his duties, his heart now weighed down by the gravity of what he has seen.

Eight long months pass, and Frank finds himself once again astride Hidalgo, this time as a part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Now a shadow of his former self, Frank has succumbed to drink, introduced to the world as the “Hero of Wounded Knee”. However, a glimmer of redemption sparks within him when he is approached by one of the show’s Native American performers, who implores Frank to help save the mustangs from the brink of extinction. The army seeks to eradicate these wild horses, deeming them inferior due to their mixed breeding and untamed nature.

As the show comes to a close, Frank is confronted by an Arabian nobleman named Aziz, who joins forces with a refined British gentleman in questioning Buffalo Bill’s assertion that Hidalgo is indeed the greatest horse alive. This claim has sparked controversy among the aristocracy, particularly the sheik who owns Aziz – a man hell-bent on discrediting Frank’s champion stallion. The sheik proposes a challenge: a grueling cross-desert race to settle the matter once and for all.

Inspired by the wise counsel of Annie Oakley (played by Dan Molina), Frank and Hidalgo set off on an epic journey across the scorching Arabian desert, driven by a fierce determination to prove their mettle. Along the way, they encounter Lady Anne Davenport, a refined and determined woman who seeks to claim victory in this arduous race for her mare, with the ultimate prize being breeding rights to the coveted sheik’s stallion.

As Frank and his trusty steed Hidalgo venture into the arid expanse of the Middle East, they are greeted by an enigmatic servant who has incurred a peculiar punishment for pilfering milk - serving the rugged cowboy during the treacherous desert race. The competition commences with a frenzy of galloping hooves and whinnying beasts, only to gradually slow into a plodding pace, as if the parched terrain itself was sapping their energy. As Frank navigates this unforgiving environment, he is repeatedly urged by his fellow competitors to abandon the race, but the cowboy’s resolve remains unbroken.

The terrain becomes increasingly treacherous, with riders and horses tumbling down dunes in a spectacular display of equine acrobatics gone awry. One hapless rider is forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to put down his injured mount, a poignant reminder of the harsh realities faced by these intrepid competitors. Meanwhile, Frank’s guide, riding the sheik’s majestic steed, offers a stark rebuke: in this unforgiving world, riders are expected to prioritize their own survival over assisting fallen comrades.

As the first checkpoint approaches, the sheik’s rider claims the top spot and wields his influence to deny Frank access to life-giving water at the well. When Frank finally arrives, he is met with a disingenuous declaration of “no water available,” which only serves to fuel his ire. Drawing parallels between this desolate scene and the infamous dry well guarded by soldiers, Frank seizes the opportunity to pilfer the precious liquid, cleverly trapping the guards beneath their tent in the process.

Just as it seems that Frank’s fortunes are beginning to shift, a ferocious sandstorm descends upon the landscape, compelling him and Hidalgo to seek shelter within the crumbling ruins of an ancient city. As they weather the tempest, Frank is reminded that even in the harshest of environments, there remains room for cunning, perseverance, and a healthy dose of rebellious spirit.

As the grueling trek across the scorching desert landscape wears on, Frank’s canteen becomes a dusty repository of sand, a tangible manifestation of the desolation that surrounds him. Upon reaching the halfway mark, Lady Davenport makes a tantalizing offer: 30% of the coveted prize if he were to abandon his pursuit of victory. However, Frank is resolute in his determination, and the sheik’s daughter, with her sultry whisperings, provides the impetus for him to persevere.

That same fateful night, Frank retires to his tent, only to find himself interrupted by the enigmatic presence of the sheik’s daughter. Her whispered counsel proves invaluable as she imparts crucial advice on survival and strategy. Unbeknownst to her, however, Jaffa and Aziz have entered the tent, their suspicions aroused by her nocturnal visit with Frank. As a result, Frank finds himself bound to a pole, facing a dire threat akin to that which befalls stallions deemed unfit for breeding.

Just as this ordeal reaches its nadir, a band of raiders descends upon the camp, precipitating chaos and bedlam. Amidst the melee, Frank must fend off the attackers while simultaneously attempting to stave off Jaffa’s brutal intentions. The sheik’s daughter, meanwhile, finds herself kidnapped by the very forces that seek to do her harm.

As order is eventually restored, Frank, Aziz, and Jaffa embark on a perilous journey to the city of the sheik’s nephew, whose covetous eyes are fixed upon acquiring the revered stallion. However, their mission is complicated when the nephew mistakenly adopts a rival horse, leaving them no choice but to flee in haste.

The subsequent encounter with Aziz proves decisive, as Jaffa exacts a deadly retribution for her earlier mistreatment. With the sheik’s gratitude and appreciation secured, Frank is free to focus on the grueling task at hand: overcoming the remaining challenges that lie between him and the coveted prize.

As Lady Davenport’s procession makes its way through the desert landscape, a sinister plot unfolds when her nephew unleashes a treacherous scheme against Hidalgo and Frank. With malice in his heart, he orders his cohorts to commandeer the sheik’s prized horse and slaughter Hidalgo, while leaving Frank to succumb to the unforgiving environment. The nephew and his henchmen pursue Hidalgo and the sheik’s horse with reckless abandon, but their pursuit is ultimately foiled as the noble steed breaks free from their clutches.

Hidalgo and Frank find themselves tumbling into a treacherous pit, where the latter valiantly extracts a spear lodged in Hidalgo’s leg. Just as they’re about to be overwhelmed by the relentless assault of the nephew’s cheetahs, Hidalgo proves his mettle by successfully trampling the ferocious predators beneath their hooves. The sheik’s rider, who had earlier succumbed to the nephew’s treachery, meets a gruesome end at the hands of his former ally.

As the dust settles, Frank and Hidalgo find themselves facing off against the ruthless nephew once more. A thrilling battle ensues, culminating in the nephew’s downfall as he falls prey to his own trap, impaled by one of the very spears that had threatened to claim Hidalgo’s life. With their adversary vanquished, Frank and Hidalgo are left to ponder their next move.

Just then, a mystical presence manifests itself in the form of ghost warriors, imbuing Hidalgo with an otherworldly vitality. As Lady Davenport’s mare pulls ahead, the sheik’s horse, driven by Frank’s determination, gains ground and ultimately takes the lead. With victory within reach, Frank and Hidalgo make their way towards the shore, mere yards away.

In the aftermath of their triumph, Frank engages in heart-to-hearts with the sheik’s daughter and his host, while the seeds of redemption are sown as he and Hidalgo prepare to part ways. Fast-forward to a later date…

The scene shifts to an army corral, where a multitude of mustangs await their fate at the hands of ruthless soldiers. Frank arrives on the scene, bearing a decree that will spare these innocent creatures from the firing squad. Having used his winnings to purchase their freedom, he sets them loose, keeping his promise to aid his Indian friend, a commitment made at the film’s outset. As a symbol of their unbreakable bond, Frank allows Hidalgo to join the wild mustangs in their newfound liberty, disappearing into the desert horizon.