Os Bravos da Arena

Bullfighting is not a field for which I will ever have any respect. A so-called sport where they kill an animal who doesn't know what the "game" is all about can't get called civilized.

Nonetheless, "Il momento della verità" ("The Moment of Truth" in English) is a fine movie. Francesco Rosi's look at a man's efforts to become a bullfighter has the feel of a documentary. It shows everything, right up to the grotesque stuff; animal rights activists will probably find some of the scenes despicable.

But no matter what you think, you can't ignore the effort that they put into this movie. I watched the Criterion DVD's interview with Rosi where he explains the production. While I did throw out rude comments at the movie - mostly referencing the cartoon where Bugs Bunny ends up in a bullfight - I still recommend it.

So, with apologies to Harry Belafonte, I do mat-adore her.