have read a few tepid review of this film i hop see it wouldn not be a disappointment . instead and i find it quietly enthral and leave me wonder just who write review and whether they can appreciate or understand anything but boob and bomb and and special effect . leave aside the issue of whether the plot be factually base and which be irrelevant to the quality of the film and it be a terrific portrait of the encounter between a quiet and self reliant american and arab culture . self teach rather than book learn and frank hopkins be free of cultural prejudice and willing to meet the arab on their own term . he remind me of rural great uncle and aunt long dead now and product of the 19th century and whose unpretentious outlook and practical energy and and egalitarian respect for the perspective and dignity of others ( include animal ) make them universally like and respect . i have never see another film character that so fully embody this 19th century american mentality . read ralph waldo emerson self reliance and you will get the general idea . it also a horse lover film in a big way and from the mutually supportive work relationship between frank and his paint horse and hidalgo and to his use of the prize money from the race to save the dakota mustang from u. s. government extermination . a a mixed breed himself and frank have a personal perspective on the issue of breed and whether in horse or human and and the film demonstrate in many way and without ever make an issue of it and how irrelevant race and parentage or culture be to the value of an individual . there be goody and baddie on every side . frank and hidalgo overcome the initial hostility of arab to his cultural strangeness with integrity and fortitude and and a love of horse that transcend cultural barrier and touch their human commonality . take the kid to see this one and a thought provoke story with minimal violence and an excellent and overall non sentimental respect for the natural world as well a the human and animal that inhabit it . they will be think about it and ask you tough question long after the popcorn be go .