News

Lucasfilm announced the return of ‘Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’’ to the big screen on April 25 to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary.

The film will run in UK cinemas and select international territories for a six-day engagement and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time, 4Dx. 4Dx features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the film’s narrative.

Renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson created an exciting new poster for the re-release event.

Also in news – Anya Taylor-Joy features in first-look images from ‘Lucky’

‘Revenge of the Sith’ takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveils a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and the evil Galactic Empire rises from its ashes.

“Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” is returning to theaters for its 20th anniversary, starting April 25. For the re-release event, graphic artist Matt Ferguson has created a new poster to celebrate the film.

The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week, including new formats like 4Dx. “Revenge of the Sith” is the third film in the “Star Wars” prequel franchise and takes place after the Clone Wars begin. Jedi Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) gets pulled to the dark side of the Force to become Darth Vader as Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Yoda (Frank Oz) are forced to go into hiding.

The cast also includes Samuel L. Jackson, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid, Christopher Lee, Jimmy Smits, Peter Mayhew, Ahmed Best, Oliver Ford Davies, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Daniels, Silas Carson and Kenny Baker.

Thursday, Feb. 27 ‘The Assessment’ Trailer: Elizabeth Olsen, Himesh Patel and Alicia Vikander...

Lucasfilm has announced that Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is set to return to the big screen on April 25 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the final part of George Lucas' Prequel trilogy.

The movie will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only, and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time, 4Dx, which features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film.

Renowned artist Matt Ferguson has also designed a brand-new poster to mark the re-release, which you can check out below.

For many fans, Revenge of the Sith stands out as the best film of the Prequels, with stars Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman coming into their own as their respective characters, as the story builds towards Anakin Skywalker's inevitable turn to the dark...

Disney/Lucasfilm is re-releasing Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith — Episode III for its 20th anniversary on April 25.

The George Lucas written, directed and produced movie which follows Anakin Skywalker’s (Hayden Christensen) complete transformation into the dark side as Darth Vader will play stateside and abroad for the first time in 4Dx.

4Dx features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film.

Graphic artist Matt Ferguson created a new poster for the re-release which you can see below.

Revenge of the Sith with previews opened to $158.4M in the U.S./Canada back on May 19, 2005. The threequel went on to make $380.2M domestic, $849.99M worldwide at the box office.

The movie takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the...

Today, Lucasfilm announced the return of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith to the big screen on April 25 to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary. The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time, 4Dx. 4Dx features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film.

Renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson created an exciting new poster for the re-release event.

Revenge of the Sith takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi Hero Anakin Skywalker is...

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is heading back to theaters. Lucasfilm has announced that the third and final installment in the Star Wars prequel trilogy will receive a theatrical re-release for its 20th anniversary.

Revenge of the Sith will be re-released in theaters on April 25 to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary. The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time, 4Dx. 4Dx features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film. A poster for the theatrical re-release event was also shared and was created by renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson.

Image via Lucasfilm

Considered by a large part of the Star Wars fandom to be the best of the prequels, Revenge of the Sith takes place years after...

Today, Lucasfilm announced the return of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith to the big screen on April 25 to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary.

The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time, 4Dx. 4Dx features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film.

Renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson created a new poster for the re-release event.

Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (aka “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”) takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists.

When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles...

The Acolyte, a Star Wars series by Leslye Headland, sparked controversy with the inclusion of Jedi Ki-Adi-Mundi in Episode 4. Fans accused the series of "breaking canon" due to Ki-Adi-Mundi's appearance, as he is a minor character from the prequel films, and the series takes place 100 years before the rise of the Empire. However, including Ki-Adi-Mundi doesn't necessarily break canon, and even if it did, it would be very minor compared to past changes in the franchise.

The Acolyte is the biggest Star Wars project of 2024, and it feels like every week after an episode airs, the conversation is not about the particular series itself but about things outside of it. From poor audience review scores, which likely are attributed to targeted review bombing supported by a non-Star Wars-related project known as Acolytes getting an influx of negative reviews, to a certain subset of fans having a hatred for...

This article was originally published on SFFGazette.com. Head there now for more on Star Wars and The Acolyte.

While it's been confirmed that Plo Koon isn't in The Acolyte, yesterday evening's episode did feature the surprise return of Ki-Adi-Mundi.

Silas Carson portrayed the Jedi Master in George Lucas' prequels, but Derek Arnold - an English puppeteer and actor who worked as a creature and droid performer on several recent Star Wars projects - takes over the role in this series.

It's a fun cameo for longtime Star Wars fans, but also one which has also upset a lot of people. The main argument is that The Acolyte is playing fast and loose with both the hero's lifespan and history.

The only problem with that argument is, the second Disney acquired Lucasfilm, all that Expanded Universe/Legends material was rendered non-canon. As a result, The Acolyte marks Ki-Adi-Mundi's "first" official...

The Acolyte on Disney+ fixes a problematic accent issue from The Phantom Menace, showing Star Wars is willing to learn from past mistakes. Neimoidians no longer have thick Thai accents in The Acolyte, indicating a positive change in the franchise's future mindset. The subtle change in Neimoidian accents in The Acolyte sets a good precedent for Star Wars, showing a willingness to improve and evolve.

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2.The Acolyte premiere on Disney+ fixed a 25-year-old problem from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Lucasfilm has long advertised The Acolyte as a prequel to the prequels, with a focus on the Sith Rule of Two. What nobody expected, though, was for the Disney+ TV show to fix a massive problem with The Phantom Menace.

Back in 1999, The Phantom Menace was accused of racist stereotypes. Jar Jar Binks was seen as particularly problematic,...

In this edition of Star Wars Bits:

Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023."Star Wars: The Bad Batch" reviews and breakdowns."Star Wars Galaxy of Creatures" is back!Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023

Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 announced more guests attending the convention, which will be held April 7-10, 2023, at ExCeL London. Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), and Ming-Na Wen (Fennec Shand) will be in attendance. Joining them are Aidan Cook (Doctor Quadpaw), Silas Carson (Ki-Adi-Mundi and Nute Gunray), and Matthew Wood (General Grievous). 

Also, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," you can expect many cast members from the film to be in attendance, including Michael Carter (Bib Fortuna), Sean Crawford (Yak Face), Tim Dry (J'Quille), Femi Taylor (Oola), Mike Edmonds (Logray), Mike Quinn (Nien Nunb), Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar), and Caroline Blakiston (Mon Mothma).

Previously...

We’ve got a long wait ahead of us for season 13 of Doctor Who. The show already has a reputation for lengthy gaps between seasons and Coronavirus slamming the brakes on the British television industry means we’ll likely be waiting until mid to late 2021. Fortunately, it’s sounding like this year’s Christmas special, “Revolution of the Daleks” is still on track, as that’s already in post-production.

But Doctor Who fans will know that the show is far from limited to television screens. As such, this year’s big Doctor Who event, Time Lord Victorious, is getting a lot of attention. This will be an epic story involving three Doctors: the Eighth (Paul McGann), Ninth (Christopher Eccleston) and Tenth (David Tennant). The arc spans practically every form of media outside of TV, including novels, comics, audio dramas, video games and apparently, even escape rooms.

The BBC has described...

A new trailer for the based on a true story ‘The Corrupted’ featuring Sam Claflin has emerged from Saban Films.

The film follows Liam (Sam Claflin), an ex-con determined to win back the love and trust of his family, having lost everything at the hands of a local crime syndicate run by Clifford Cullen (Timothy Spall). David Hayman stars as Dci Raymond Ellery and Noel Clarke as determined police officer DS Neil Beckett.

Directed by Ron Scalpello, the cast also includes Charlie Murphy as DC Gemma Connelly and Beckett’s partner, Naomi Ackie as Liam’s ex, Grace and Joe Claflin as Liam’s brother Sean, with additional cast members Sam Otto as ambitious journalist Nayan Khaliq; and Silas Carson as Mayor Ahmed.

Also in trailers –

The film hits Us cinemas and On-Demand 10th January

The Corrupted Synopsis

Beneath the blinding lights and towering sights of the newly-built East London skyline,...

Good Omens star David Tennant is to play infamous Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen in an ITV drama from the makers of Sky and HBO’s Catherine The Great.

New Pictures’ three-part miniseries, Des, is based on the Brian Masters book Killing For Company, in which the author cooperated with Nilsen to get inside the mind of a man who murdered at least 15 men and boys between 1978 and 1983. Nilsen died in jail last year.

Joining Tennant is The Crown star Jason Watkins, who will play Masters, and Line Of Duty actor Daniel Mays, who features as Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay. The story charts Nilsen’s arrest and trial, through the prism of the three men.

Des was developed by Luke Neal and Lewis Arnold, with Neal writing the first two episodes and Kelly Jones penning the third. Willow Grylls, Kim Varvell, Charlie Pattinson, Elaine Pyke, Neal, Lewis Arnold and Tennant are the executive producers.

The first trailer for the based on a true story ‘The Corrupted’ featuring Sam Claflin has emerged from Entertainment Films.

The film follows Liam (Sam Claflin), an ex-con determined to win back the love and trust of his family, having lost everything at the hands of a local crime syndicate run by Clifford Cullen (Timothy Spall). David Hayman stars as Dci Raymond Ellery and Noel Clarke as determined police officer DS Neil Beckett.

Directed by Ron Scalpello, the cast also includes Charlie Murphy as DC Gemma Connelly and Beckett’s partner, Naomi Ackie as Liam’s ex, Grace and Joe Claflin as Liam’s brother Sean, with additional cast members Sam Otto as ambitious journalist Nayan Khaliq; and Silas Carson as Mayor Ahmed.

Also in trailers – Lily Collins stands by her man in new trailer for ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’

The film is out in cinemas May 3rd.

While a Venetian touch (gondolas, art, architecture, margherita pizzas) certainly adds to the charm of the Venice Film Festival experience, for a third year straight, cinephiles can skip the packing their suitcases portion of a trip and bring the Lido into their own screening rooms. Venice Biennale’s Sala Web has reteamed with Festival Scope folks to offer an appetite whetting total of eleven features (8 Orizzonti section & 3 Biennale College – Cinema). Announced yesterday, digital tickets for the Sala Web screenings (4€ each) can be grabbed at www.boxoffice.festivalscope.com – but don’t throw your popcorn into the microwave just yet. The 2014 sampling of world cinema/72nd Venice Film Fest is only available during a period of 5 days beginning at 9 pm (Italian time) on the day of each film’s official presentation.

Among the headliner items we find Kandahar helmer Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s The President tells a story set in a fictional...

Chicago – It’s impossible to simply play spectator through the forward-moving experimental indie “Locke” without analyzing your own past. And only a zombie could sit through this one-man film without questioning what choices you’d make in Tom Hardy’s shoes.

The 85-minute film, which stars Tom Hardy and features only him on screen simply in a car, isn’t a movie you can simply be entertained by. Though the credits only list Hardy (who played Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises”) along with various other people for their voice work, the other star of the film who is quietly uncredited is you.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

And that is this visionary film’s primary power. From a box-office perspective, the film’s challenge is its small release: only 25 theatres and $112,000 earned domestically over the past week since it opened anywhere. But for those who are able to find it, you’ll see...

Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new experimental thriller “Locke” starring Tom Hardy (who played Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises”)!

“Locke,” which is rated “R” and opens in Chicago on May 2, 2014, also stars Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Ben Daniels, Tom Holland, Bill Milner, Danny Webb, Alice Lowe, Silas Carson, Lee Ross and Kirsty Dillon from writer and director Steven Knight. Note: You must be 17+ to win and attend this “R”-rated screening.

To win your free “Locke” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds...

A24 has released, via Yahoo! Movies , both the domestic trailer and poster for writer/director Steven Knight's Locke , starring Tom Hardy, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Tom Holland, Ben Daniels, Danny Webb, Alice Lowe, Bill Milner, Lee Ross, Silas Carson and Kirsty Dillon. Check them both out below! Locke is the story of one man's life unraveling in a tension-fuelled ninety minute race against time. Ivan Locke has the perfect family, his dream job, and tomorrow should be the crowning moment of his career. But one phone call will force him to make a decision that will put it all on the line. Locke hits UK theaters on April 18 and A24 will release the film in North America on April 25.

Lionsgate has released the UK trailer for writer/director Steven Knight's Locke , starring Tom Hardy, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Tom Holland, Ben Daniels, Danny Webb, Alice Lowe, Bill Milner, Lee Ross, Silas Carson and Kirsty Dillon. Locke is the story of one man's life unraveling in a tension-fuelled ninety minute race against time. Ivan Locke has the perfect family, his dream job, and tomorrow should be the crowning moment of his career. But one phone call will force him to make a decision that will put it all on the line. Locke hits UK theaters on April 18 and A24 will release the film in North America on April 25.

Philip Winchester and Amanda Mealing discuss the final episode of Strike Back Season 1

Cinemax's hit action series Strike Back will bring Season 1 to a close tonight with the highly explosive finale Episode 1.10. In anticipation of this last episode of the year, which promises to tie up some major loose ends, we caught up with two of Strike Back's lead cast, Philip Winchester and Amanda Mealing, who play Sgt. Michael Stonebridge and Col. Eleanor Grant, respectively.

Here is our conversation.

Philip Winchester: It's like something has gone wrong with Section 20 in here. This is highly classified, and important things are happening. We can't get the phone lines connected!

As soon as you say the wrong thing, they are going to rip you right off those phones and haul you out of this room! Now, what can you tell me about tonight's season finale? From what I understand, it's going to be quite explosive.

After a successful ten week run on Cinemax, the hit action series Strike Back brings Season 1 to a close with the highly explosive finale Episode 1.10, which finally slams some doors shut while flinging others wide open in anticipation of next year's Season 2. Airing this Friday night, October 21st, Section 20 tracks Latif's (Jimi Mistry) suicide bombers to Budapest, where their target could be international leaders at a security summit, or even themselves. Latif's multi-faceted plan has Scott (Sullivan Stapleton) and Stonebridge (Philip Winchester) rushing to neutralize the bombers, save one of their own and prevent the rest of his diabolical scheme. We have an exclusive clip from this highly anticipated conclusion, as well as a second scene from tomorrow night's episode, and an all-new photo gallery. Check it all out below.

Click to watch Exclusive: Section 20 Secures Latif!

Click to watch Section 20 Locates a Suspect!

Strike Back: Episode 10See All...

George Lucas’ first Star Wars prequel has been widely criticised over the years, but does The Phantom Menace really deserve it? Here’s James’ defence of Episode One...

The late 1990s were a joyous time for Star Wars fans. The release date of The Phantom Menace was drawing ever closer, and anticipation for it was at an all time high. Fans were buying cinema tickets, watching the trailer for film in coming attractions, and then leaving before the film they'd paid to see began.

The big day finally came and the reaction was lukewarm at best. The reviews from critics were something of a mixed bag. American critic Roger Ebert gave it four out of five stars. Empire magazine was less favourable, giving it only three stars. The public, however, were far less forgiving. The Phantom Menace has been branded (among other things) 'a disgrace to Star Wars', 'unforgivably bad',...

Opens

Friday, March 5

There is enough compelling adventure, awesome cinematography and dynamic stunt work involving horses to keep one entertained by "Hidalgo", the story of an American and his mustang who in the 1890s enter a punishing 3,000-mile survival race across Arabia against top Bedouin riders astride the best Arabian stallions. But the intrusion of so much manufactured melodrama into a race is mighty distracting. What should be a "Rocky"-like tale, where the point is not winning but enduring, gets turned into a shamelessly cheesy exercise in Western ingenuity and spirit trumping Arab treachery and intolerance. With star Viggo Mortensen coming off "The Lord of the Rings", however, Disney should enjoy a fair theatrical run.

The movie, written by John Fusco and directed by Joe Johnston, starts off with an echo of the opening of "The Last Samurai". Mortensen's Frank T. Hopkins, based on a real-life horse racer, is drinking himself senseless while performing in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He is trying to drown out memories of the massacre of Indians at Wounded Knee, which he inadvertently caused by delivering a message to soldiers to disarm a Sioux rebellion.

Aziz (Adam Alexi-Mille), a haughty emissary of Bedouin horse breeders, attends one show. Afterward, Aziz demands that Buffalo Bill (J.K. Simmons) either stop billing Frank and his mustang, Hidalgo, as the world's greatest long-distance racers or else enter them into the Ocean of Fire race across the Arabian sands. Naturally, Frank agrees, as much to reclaim pride and honor as to win the prize of an unimaginable sum of money.

Arriving in Arabia, he soon realizes that he is not only up against the anticipated obstacles of sandstorms, quicksand and locusts, but a wily bunch of crooks who will stop at nothing to win the race. This is where all the mechanics of the melodrama kick in. These offer everything from improbable romantic temptations between the cowboy and a sheik's daughter (Zuleikha Robinson) to the sheik himself (Omar Sharif), who nearly rips off Frank's testicles for just talking to his daughter

a prince (Said Taghmaoui) who would rather die than lose

and a family black sheep (Silas Carson) who is little more than a horse thief.

The movie looks great. Filming in Morocco and several American western locations, Johnston and cinematographer Shelly Johnson give their desert scenes a frightening beauty. As heat beats relentlessly down on characters and animals, Johnson shifts to high-contrast, desaturated images that lend an arresting hyper-reality to the brutal landscape. The race itself, often conducted at a walk from oasis to oasis in grueling heat, and the stunt work involving five horses that play Hidalgo are undeniably thrilling. And Johnston's decision to re-create the 19th century in both the American West and Arabia whenever possible rather then relying on CG images pays off handsomely.

Mortensen gives Frank, who it is later revealed is half Indian, a quiet reserve and dignity that works well in playing the reluctant hero. Sharif lets his charismatic presence do much of the work, subtly underplaying the sheik's domestic tyranny to make him a warm father and leader circumscribed by tradition to regard infidels and women as inferiors. The other roles, especially that of Lady Davenport (Louise Lombard), a horse breeder more ruthlessly determined to win than even the Bedouins, are so burdened with villainy that actors can bring little dimension to such characters.

HIDALGO

Buena Vista Pictures

Touchstone Pictures

Credits:

Director: Joe Johnston

Screenwriter: John Fusco

Producer: Casey Silver

Executive producer: Don Zepfel

Director of photography: Shelly Johnson

Production designer: Barry Robison

Music: James Newton Howard

Costume designer: Jeffrey Kurland

Editor: Robert Dalva

Cast:

Frank Hopkins: Viggo Mortensen

Jazira: Zuleikha Robinson

Sheik Riyadh: Omar Sharif

Lady Anne Davenport: Louise Lombard

Aziz: Adam Alexi-Malle

Prince Bin Al Rech: Said Taghmaoui

Katib: Silas Carson

Running time -- 141 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13...

Opens

Friday, March 5

There is enough compelling adventure, awesome cinematography and dynamic stunt work involving horses to keep one entertained by "Hidalgo", the story of an American and his mustang who in the 1890s enter a punishing 3,000-mile survival race across Arabia against top Bedouin riders astride the best Arabian stallions. But the intrusion of so much manufactured melodrama into a race is mighty distracting. What should be a "Rocky"-like tale, where the point is not winning but enduring, gets turned into a shamelessly cheesy exercise in Western ingenuity and spirit trumping Arab treachery and intolerance. With star Viggo Mortensen coming off "The Lord of the Rings", however, Disney should enjoy a fair theatrical run.

The movie, written by John Fusco and directed by Joe Johnston, starts off with an echo of the opening of "The Last Samurai". Mortensen's Frank T. Hopkins, based on a real-life horse racer, is drinking himself senseless while performing in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He is trying to drown out memories of the massacre of Indians at Wounded Knee, which he inadvertently caused by delivering a message to soldiers to disarm a Sioux rebellion.

Aziz (Adam Alexi-Mille), a haughty emissary of Bedouin horse breeders, attends one show. Afterward, Aziz demands that Buffalo Bill (J.K. Simmons) either stop billing Frank and his mustang, Hidalgo, as the world's greatest long-distance racers or else enter them into the Ocean of Fire race across the Arabian sands. Naturally, Frank agrees, as much to reclaim pride and honor as to win the prize of an unimaginable sum of money.

Arriving in Arabia, he soon realizes that he is not only up against the anticipated obstacles of sandstorms, quicksand and locusts, but a wily bunch of crooks who will stop at nothing to win the race. This is where all the mechanics of the melodrama kick in. These offer everything from improbable romantic temptations between the cowboy and a sheik's daughter (Zuleikha Robinson) to the sheik himself (Omar Sharif), who nearly rips off Frank's testicles for just talking to his daughter

a prince (Said Taghmaoui) who would rather die than lose

and a family black sheep (Silas Carson) who is little more than a horse thief.

The movie looks great. Filming in Morocco and several American western locations, Johnston and cinematographer Shelly Johnson give their desert scenes a frightening beauty. As heat beats relentlessly down on characters and animals, Johnson shifts to high-contrast, desaturated images that lend an arresting hyper-reality to the brutal landscape. The race itself, often conducted at a walk from oasis to oasis in grueling heat, and the stunt work involving five horses that play Hidalgo are undeniably thrilling. And Johnston's decision to re-create the 19th century in both the American West and Arabia whenever possible rather then relying on CG images pays off handsomely.

Mortensen gives Frank, who it is later revealed is half Indian, a quiet reserve and dignity that works well in playing the reluctant hero. Sharif lets his charismatic presence do much of the work, subtly underplaying the sheik's domestic tyranny to make him a warm father and leader circumscribed by tradition to regard infidels and women as inferiors. The other roles, especially that of Lady Davenport (Louise Lombard), a horse breeder more ruthlessly determined to win than even the Bedouins, are so burdened with villainy that actors can bring little dimension to such characters.

HIDALGO

Buena Vista Pictures

Touchstone Pictures

Credits:

Director: Joe Johnston

Screenwriter: John Fusco

Producer: Casey Silver

Executive producer: Don Zepfel

Director of photography: Shelly Johnson

Production designer: Barry Robison

Music: James Newton Howard

Costume designer: Jeffrey Kurland

Editor: Robert Dalva

Cast:

Frank Hopkins: Viggo Mortensen

Jazira: Zuleikha Robinson

Sheik Riyadh: Omar Sharif

Lady Anne Davenport: Louise Lombard

Aziz: Adam Alexi-Malle

Prince Bin Al Rech: Said Taghmaoui

Katib: Silas Carson

Running time -- 141 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13...