look this gift horse in the mouth

ALISON KLABACHER

LORD of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen swaps hobbits for horses in this action-adventure movie based on the life of cowboy Frank T Hopkins.

Hopkins was a dispatch rider for the US cavalry who, in the 1890s, took part in the Ocean of Fire - a long distance horse race across the Arabian desert.

The film follows Hopkins and his mustang Hidalgo as they attempt to complete the 3,000 mile challenge ahead of the world's greatest

Arabian horses and their Bedouin riders.

I never expected to see Viggo outshone by anybody, but, even though he is on fine form, the star of this show has to be the horse that plays Hidalgo - a rare breed of actor.

You think I'm joking? Have you ever seen a horse that can 'do' shock before? The animal deserves an Oscar for its performance.

Viggo was suitably rough and ready as Hopkins, though for me I doubt he will ever equal his role as Lord Aragorn in Lord of the Rings - it will take something mighty special to beat that scene when he jumped off the boat with his sword at the ready.

But anyway, back to Hidalgo, and Omar Sharif gives a good show as the Sheikh determined to uphold Arabia's reputation for breeding the finest horses in the word, but who has a penchant for the Wild West.

When I found out I was watching a film about a horse race I was little more than mortified, but Hidalgo turned out to be more than just a one-trick pony.

7/10 Saddle up and get down to the cinema!