When moviegoers think of Viggo Mortensen, many immediately recall his unforgettable portrayal of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. But for horse lovers and fans of epic adventure films, his role in Disney’s Hidalgo (2004) holds a special place in their hearts. In this sweeping Western-adventure, Mortensen brought to life the real-world long-distance rider Frank T. Hopkins—an American cowboy who, according to legend, competed in a 3,000-mile endurance race across the Arabian desert with his musta