This latest equestrian epic is no Lawrence of Arabia, but still creates a desert storm.
Fifteen years ago, screenwriter John Fusco (Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron; Young Guns) was doing some research into horses with original Native American bloodlines, when he happened upon the story of Frank T Hopkins, a cowboy who supposedly rode in the legendary Ocean of Fire race across the Arabian Desert. Based on this information, Fusco wrote his screenplay for Hidalgo and seems to have run into trouble by claiming that the film is based on a true story.
The film centres on Frank T. Hopkins (Mortensen), a half Sioux dispatch rider who spends his days in a drunken haze and making a living performing in Buffalo Bill's (Simmons) Wild West Show. Hopkins has never come to terms with the fact that he delivered the orders to soldiers to quell a Sioux rebellion, resulting in their massacre.
Hopkins ' horsemanship - and the claims on the billboard that he and his mustang, Hidalgo, are the world's greatest long-distance racers - rouses the interest of Aziz (Alexi-Mille), a visiting representative of Bedouin horse breeders. He orders that the billing be changed, or Hopkins proves the claim by entering the hazardous Ocean of Fire race. With a huge sum of prize money on offer, Hopkins accepts the challenge.
However, all does not go too smoothly. He is scorned by the Arab riders who are insulted that Hopkins - the only westerner in the race - could consider himself and his Mustang any match for their purebred Arab steeds. Not only does Hopkins have to deal with the desert staples of sandstorms and locusts, he also faces strong competition by riders who will stop at nothing to win. These include Prince Bin Al Reeh (Taghmaoui), who has been promised Sheikh Riyadh's (Sharif) daughter Jazira's (Robinson) hand in marriage should he win and Lady Anne Davenport (Lombard), an English aristocrat who is backing another horse. But Hopkins' biggest obstacle is himself as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that may bring him the peace he craves.
What is true is that Hopkins and the horse did exist. It's also well documented that he was a heavy drinker and no doubt in his drunken stupor, spun a tale or two. The Ocean of Fire race may well have been one of them. Who knows? For Mortensen, the story's authenticity isn't a major concern. "I would have been happy to go with a 100% myth. I wanted a good story, one that harkens back to your classic hollywood adventure," he smiles, "The fact is that it's about a person that existed; about a horse that existed and that there was an event that he did race. What is interesting to me is that the Native American Indians should continually pass down the same story. Why would they, if there wasn't some truth in there?"
Arguments aside, Mortensen is also keen to stress that there is more to this film than just a horse race. Yes, if you like horses, adventure and a story that will entertain and sweep you along an interesting journey, then this is for you. "And if the film successfully engages its audience with the story, the better chance it has to interest people in other themes." A strong theme running through the film is that of what is 'pure' and 'impure'. These are highlighted strongly in the race and cultural issues that emerge. Hopkins is mixed race and the Arabs refer to him as an 'infidel'. Although the film doesn't dwell to deeply on these issues, the Arab and Muslim press have been heavily critical about their portrayal; that it shows them in a particularly bad light. Given the current political climate, it could be argued that they are being just a tad sensitive? Mortensen agrees.
"Here you have an American protagonist who goes to a third world country and is made welcome. Whatever he doesn't know - which is a lot - about the place he's going to, the culture, and the points of view which he may not agree with, at least he's curious about it" he says. "Issues of race, cultures and different points of view are understandably hard in the current climate; that east and west are not only fearful but extremely reluctant to make an effort to find common ground with each other."
What comes across strongly as you listen to Mortensen talk is that he is something of a thinker; a philosopher; a quiet man who is softly spoken. This 'quietness' is also greatly present in his portrayal of Hopkins. It was his role as Aragorn (another stranger on a mission) in Lord of the Rings that convinced Director Joe Johnston (Jumanji; Jurassic Park III) that Mortensen was the person for the job. In fact Johnston likened Mortensen's screen presence to those of matinee idols Gary Cooper and Spencer Tracy. For Mortensen this was a great opportunity. Hot from his success in the Lord Of The Rings, he changes horses - and hair colour - to capture his first lead role. And as an actor with over thirty features to his credit, it was about time.
Also, from the director's point of view Mortensen horsemanship meant he had the ability to do his own stunts - of which there are many on bareback. "No amount of preparation is gonna prepare you for the amount of jarring you're gonna get," he laughs, "There were many times in this movie when I was riding bareback and I'd see the ground rushing by. the odd rock and I was thinking that if I fall off, it's gonna really really hurt!"
Hidalgo has been described as an epic. With horses and the Arabian Desert needless to say comparisons have been made to Lawrence of Arabia, especially as one of the co-stars is Omar Sharif. For Mortensen, no other could have suited the part of the Sheikh better. "One of the great things about this experience was working with him. He was very right for this movie. The man he plays speaks several languages; he has some curiosity about the west. Also in terms of cinema history, his connections to Lawrence of Arabia, it lifted the movie to another level.' Mortensen admits to being totally in awe of Sharif and although he never went gambling with him, he did pester him constantly about the cinema greats David Lean and Peter O'Toole.
Having shot four films in succession, it's been a long hard slog for Mortensen. He has travelled extensively for the shoots. When he wasn't sleeping or sitting on a horse, he found some time to indulge in other artistic pursuits, from taking photographs to writing poetry. With the landscapes of Morocco, South Dakota, Montana, California (Hidalgo), and of course New Zealand (Lord Of The Rings), it isn't hard to see that inspiration wasn't that far away. Mortensen owns Perceval Press, a publisher of quality art books and has published some photographs of a re-creation of the Lakota Ghost Dance which features in the film. It was originally performed by members of Chief Big Foot's band prior to the Wounded Knee massacre in 1890.
One can only hope that the 'experts' will get off their high horses, and enjoy Hidalgo for what it is: a romping good story that has a dose of feel-good factor at its heart. For Mortensen, we could all do with a dose of feel-good factor, if only for a short while. "This kind of story, in some way reminds me that it is worthwhile to make the effort; that we can benefit from sharing time and our different experiences," he says pensively, "It's unusual, and particularly in the times we're living in, especially welcome."
Sandi Chaitram
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