America's First Horse: Hidalgo and the Spanish Mustang (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

9.4/10   

Director:

Angelique Midthunder

Release Date:

4 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Short

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

David Midthunder	...	Himself
Viggo Mortensen
Donnie Saylor	...	Himself

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Sam Hurwitz Productions

Movie Connections:

Features Hidalgo (2004)

A documentary gem

It is a shame that this beautifully-shot little film only aired (once?) on the Animal network, but fortunately my kids alerted me.

This is an eye-opener when it comes to the history of horses in North America, the government slaughter campaign, and the big difference between the REAL Mustangs and the wild horses that we think of today. Great to know that these true mustangs still exist (thanks to a host of diverse and colorful real people still preserving them).

The letters of Frank Hopkins, read by Viggo Mortensen, are informative and reveal a man who really loved these horses and had a vision for their future.

Hope it comes out on DVD. A real documentary gem.