User reviews

'The Mark of Zorro' and 'Blood and Sand' confirmed Rouben Mamoulian's enduring concern with drama conveyed through movement of characters and camera... The former was a rousing, deliciously ironic swashbuckler; the latter an adaptation of Ibañez's story about a simple country boy whose success as a matador leads him into temptation and towards a violent early death... Rudolph Valentino had scored one of his biggest success with 'Blood and Sand' in 1922, and the same story served as a Tyrone Power vehicle nineteen years later...

Color, and Mamoulian's almost choreographic direction, turned the motion picture into an exquisite melodrama, where all the passes and swirls of the bullring were vividly depicted: The parade of the bullfighters and their entourage, the race of the vicious predator into the arena, the matadors flashing their yellow and pink capes...

Rita Hayworth blood-red lips and scarlet fingernails, contrast the cool colors of her Spanish mansion, and show her off to glittering advantage...

In her sensuous screen Pasadoble with Anthony Quinn, she looks sensational in her rose evening gown, symbolic of the Spanish bullfight flavor...

The arrogant and passionate dance, based on Flamenco dancing that characterizes the man as the matador and the lady as his red cape, is performed with style and surety... The colors, rose and green, are blended to perfection with the amazing prowess of an appealing couple in tune with the balanced perfection of shapes and the sweeping movements of Rita Hayworth...

Quinn is perfect for redoing old Valentino roles... He always demonstrated his grace and remarkable agility on the dance floor... This sequence remains one of the movie's best remembered moments...

Mamoulian begins the film with a 30 minute prologue, establishing the characters ten years before the main narrative...

Juanillo, just a little boy with fire, vigorously illiterate but possessing his father's passion for bullfighting, is seen by night currently taking the bullfighting world by storm... Not least for his exceptional brave and agile style of fighting but also for his age... Juanillo adores the art of bullfighting... Hr runs off to Madrid with his boyhood friends, Manolo, Nacional Pablo and La Pulga...

After winning a certain reputation as a 'flat-footed novillero,' Juan (Tyrone Power) returns years later to Seville to marry his childhood sweetheart, Carmen Espinosa (Linda Darnell - a voluptuous beauty with perfect complexion), and brings her to live in his luxurious home where he has installed his mother (Alla Nazimona) and his sister, Encarnacion (Lynn Bari).

Then he goes on to become the 'first matador in Spain' showing his individual personality by the combination and variations of his passes... Juan brings the bull past his body with the elegance of a premier ballet dancer, making it seem effortless and beautiful...

As his popularity climbs Juan's entourage of hangers-on increases joining his boyhood friends Nacional (John Carradine), Manolo de Palma (Anthony Quinn), La Pulga (Michael Morris), Pablo Gomez (Charles Stevens), Sebastian (William Montague), and his loyal dresser, Garabato (J. Carrol Naish) who left the ring just as he came in to it, 'without a peseta.'

But all is not so perfect in the ranks of Juan's cuadrilla... Nacional is anxious to leave bullfighting for politics, and Manolo, jealous of Juan's success, wants to make his own name in the ring... And then there is the on-going feud Juan has been engaging in with Natalio Curro (Laird Cregar), the famous bullfight critic who had insulted the memory of his father...

When Juan established himself as Spain's most important matador, Curro opportunistically affirms: 'At last Sevilla has a matador. The greatest matador of all history. The first man of the world. The day he was born, there was salt in the air, a great quantity of salt.'

And at one of Juan's 'great afternoon', we are introduced to the stunning Doña Sol des Muire (Rita Hayworth) whose chief passion is bullfighting and, in particular, handsome matadors...

The torrid Spanish beauty had little difficulty, in luring the new risen star away from his home...

Falling under her tempting beauty, Juan begins an affair with her at the expense of both his faithful wife and his career... His skills as a matador go downhill and his bad attitude loses him all his once loyal friends...

'Blood and Sand' is sensitively directed by Mamoulian and might be considered one of the greatest examples of Technicolor film-making... The film won an Oscar for Best Color Cinematography, and was nominated for Best Interior Set Decoration...

Uneducated peasant Juan Gallardo rises to fame and fortune in the bullfight arena. From here he falls for the socially active Dona Sol; thus breaking the heart of his childhood sweetheart Carmen. Nevertheless she stands by her man as he continues to face danger in the bullring, but ego and love will give Juan his biggest fight of all.

This remake of the 1922 silent Rudolph Valentino picture is certainly a lavish production, the colour cinematography by Ernest Palmer & Ray Rennahan rightly won the Academy Award, and it's directed with adroit skill by Roublen Mamoulian. The story is a great one as well, following the rise of Gallardo (a solid if too staid Tyrone Power) is always intriguing, and it's watching his constant battle with his emotions that is the film's drawing card. However, there can be a case made for the film resting too much on its dialogue driven laurels, for far too many times I personally found myself hankering for an up turn in pace to help emphasise the emotional nature of the characters.

The cast do OK without really excelling, Rita Hayworth looks gorgeous and a fine career blossomed from here on in, while Linda Darnell as the other love interest glides nicely from scene to scene. Anthony Quinn takes the best supporting honours, where his Manolo is vigorous with a cheeky glint in the eye, whilst sadly John Carradine is underused and his Nacional is not fully fleshed out until its far too late.

It's at times sexy (damn flamenco always a winner to me), it's got guts, and it looks absolutely gorgeous, but it's not quite the whole classy package it could have been. 7/10

`Blood and Sand' based on the novel by Ibanez and presented by 20th Century-Fox is a masterpiece of old style Hollywood filmmaking. Director Rouben Mamoulian pulls out all the stops to present this Technicolor flushed romantic story of Juan Gallardo who is portrayed by the impossibly beautiful Tyrone Power. Juan grows from a poor boy dreaming of glory in the bullrings of Spain to the epitome of arrogance and ignorant of the cost to his soul of his fame. The three principals of the story are, Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell as his childhood sweetheart Carmen, and Rita Hayworth as the seductive and hollow Dona Sol. Tyrone Power presents us with a marvelous, energetic portrait of a young, brash and over confident Juan. His first close-up bursts the edges of the screen and burns in the colors of Goya. Tyrone Power was made for the movies and cinematographers Ernest Palmer and Ray Rennahan film him with as much care as they do the two female leads. Thus this overpoweringly beautiful close-up sucks the viewer into the world of Juan and one is swept away by his charm and bravado. Mr. Powers's performance is almost overshadowed at first by his physical presence but as the story progresses his talent as a film actor takes over and sustains the viewer to the end.

Linda Darnell, a great beauty of the movies and by her own admission, not much of an actress, turns in a very good performance as Juan's discarded wife Carmen. I do not agree with Miss Darnell's opinion of her talents. One only has to look at `Letter to Three Wives' to see what an accomplished screen actress she was. And here too she takes the thankless roll of Carmen and makes one care about the poor girl. Then we have Rita Hayworth who here in `Blood and Sand' sets the standard for the great-lost beauties of the silver screen. Her Dona Sol is everything we hope for in the empty shell of a femme fatal. It is said of her, at one point in the film by a newspaper critic of bullfighting, as he points to the ring: `Gentleman, if this is death in the afternoon, then she is death in the evening.' And Miss Hayworth lives up to every inch of his description in this her breakout performance.

In the garden scene where she performs the `Toro!' seduction and sings to her victim Juan, she is utterly captivating and irresistible in her Travis Banton gown and cascading titian hair. Here we see the birth of Rita Hayworth and the demise of Rita Cansino. Also worth mentioning are Anthony Quinn as one of Juan's boyhood friends, Manola De Palma and the wonderful silent star Alla Nazemova who is heart breaking as Juan's mother. The music by the masterful Alfred Newman sets the tone and emotion of the film. Lush and full of the sounds of Spain it is one of his best.

Darryl Zanuck believed that story was everything in film. Without a good story you had nothing to build a film on. In `Blood and Sand' the head of Fox proves his point and gives us a great movie presented in the grand style of Hollywood's golden age.

"Blood and Sand" gave Rudolph Valentino one of the best roles of his career. It also established Tyrone Power as a star in Hollywood. Under Rouben Mamoulian's direction this film translates the novel by Blasco Ibanez into a Hollywood spectacle, so popular in the 40s. It is to Mr Mamoulian's credit, a film that paid attention to a lot of detail about the Spain of the beginning of the XX century.

The story presents us Juan Gallardo, a poor lad from the provinces, who became the greatest matador of his time. He goes from poverty to a life of luxury; a life for which he was ill prepared for. In fact, Juan never learned to read! It's a story of how someone overcomes difficult obstacles to attain fame and notoriety, only to be defeated by those same ambitions when the matador throws everything away in order to pursue a society woman, forsaking the decent wife that adores him.

Tyrone Power in the film was still a bit rough in the acting department, as well as in the cosmetic adjustments that all stars go through. Compare his smile here with later films: major dental work had not been performed yet!. Tyrone Power embodied the best of what a screen idol possessed. He had enormous charisma and no matter who he plays against, his presence is larger than that of the leading lady.

Linda Darnell was very effective as Carmen, a woman in love with the matador. Rita Hayworth's beauty doesn't come across as well here as in other films. Ms Hayworth was more of a siren in the movie. The first rate cast that was assembled is excellent. Anthony Quinn, Lynn Bari, J Carrol Nash, George Reeves, Alla Nazimova, John Carradine, just to name a few, shine in the background of this film.

Not a bad movie,but a bit too melodramatic after my tastes.Tyrone Power in the lead role is good but not as exciting as in his best performances.Rita Hayworth plays the femme fatale in a way that for modern audiences would be laughable.Anthony Quinn in an early stage of his career delivers the best performance in the film. I feel that even at this early stage he would have suited the lead role in the film better than Power.Linda Darnell doesn't have much to do in this movie than play the part of a betrayed woman.Why anyone would betray such a beautiful woman is beyond me.Nazimova,the silent movie vamp of the 20's, is quite good as Power's mother. John Carradine,one of the most prominent character actors of this period,was excellent as Power's best friend.

When 20th Century Fox decided to re-make Rudolph Valentino's great silent screen triumph Blood and Sand it probably was Tyrone Power's biggest test as an actor and a box office draw up to that time.

Valentino's performance was still fresh in everyone's mind. Well, Tyrone Power passed the test with flying colors that showed up in Ray Rennahan's fabulous cinematography here.

One of the previous reviewers who was from Brazil expressed a lot of what I would have said. Tyrone Power with three roles, here, in The Mark of Zorro and in Captain From Castile became a Latino cultural hero for those portrayals. Hard to believe since the Power family theatrical tradition goes back a couple of centuries in Ireland. But those portrayals have stood the test of time and to get such an accolade from a Latino viewer is the highest possible praise for his acting.

Tyrone Power as Juan Gallardo whose mission in life is to become an even greater Matador than his father who was killed in the bullring, brings a combination of panache and bumptiousness to the part. He's bold and daring, but not terribly sophisticated and never learned to read and write. And he's got two women all in an uproar over him, Linda Darnell who is his wife and the temptress Dona Sol.

This loan out for Rita Hayworth playing Dona Sol is what really launched her career as sex symbol. Dona Sol was Hayworth's trial run as vamp and temptress, the forerunner of Gilda which was her signature part.

The cast is well populated with some of the best character actors Hollywood had to offer. Anthony Quinn, Nazimova, J. Carrol Naish, Monty Banks, John Carradine, etc., all are perfectly cast.

One I think should be singled out is Laird Cregar. Cregar plays Curro the bullfighter critic and I think Cregar enjoyed playing this part, allowing an actor to exact some revenge on critics as a breed. Bullfighting isn't just some guy going into a ring to kill a bull. It's all in the showmanship and Curro is a critic like a theater critic, not a sportswriter. You really love to hate Curro as the film progresses and I wonder just what made him such an expert? Cregar was fleshing out that old expression about critics being eunuchs, they know how to do it, but can't do it themselves. I think Cregar was paying back every critic whoever gave him a bad review with this one.

Blood and Sand was certainly a jinxed picture. Tyrone Power died so young of that heart attack while shooting Solomon and Sheba in Spain, Linda Darnell died a few years later in a house fire trying to rescue someone she thought trapped in the flames, George "Superman" Reeves who played one of Rita Hayworth's admirers committed suicide, Rita Hayworth had that tragically lingering Alzheimer's Disease and Laird Cregar was the first to go of a heart attack in his twenties. Another great work of art attached to so much tragedy.

As far as I'm concerned Rudolph Valentino starred in the silent version of Tyrone Power's, Blood and Sand.

Tyrone, Anthony, Linda and Rita to name a few await you here in this classic heart-moving story of a boy who wants to grow up to be a man by being a Matador i.e. the best there ever was. That's the intrigue and we are also entertained as we watch childhood friends grow up together into adulthood too. Then there is love both the carnal and the heartfelt. Throw in some poverty, poor boy makes good and you have a decent story to tell. Every time I watch these rags to riches to rags again movies I always wonder why these people don't put something away when on top? Surely what goes up must come down not to mention bad luck and how about early retirement too? That's what hooks you! Its when they don't do it or something goes wrong that you now become a part of the movie world wondering if that could happen to you and how would you handle it? This is called entertainment and they pull it off nicely here. There is a eating scene or two so prepare to eat while watching and of course have a tasty drink and some snack for later. Blood and Sand is an appropriate name for the bullfighter game...

Beautiful imagery and a good-looking cast, but a formulaic plot, one-dimensional characters, and a runtime which is about 30 minutes too long. In a nutshell, a matador (Tyrone Power) rises to fame, gets married to his childhood sweetheart (Linda Darnell), but has trouble remaining faithful when he locks eyes with a femme fatale (Rita Hayworth).

I'm a fan of director Rouben Mamoulian, and he really takes advantage of the movie being in color, with many of the scenes having a vibrant, opulent feel to them. I also liked the flamenco music and dancing, even though Hayworth's number was obviously dubbed and didn't seem to suit her. It was great seeing a couple of film greats in supporting roles at the opposite ends of their careers - Alla Nazimova at 62, and Anthony Quinn at 26. I also liked how bullfighting, which is a pretty barbarous sport if you ask me, gets at least at least a little bit of criticism here, though unfortunately not much from the animal's perspective; we see the bloodlust of the fans, how fickle they are, and the ultimate fate of many who dare to fight bulls for a living.

On the downside, while Darnell is easy on the eyes, her 'stand by my man' moments and little spiel at the end were nauseatingly sweet, and they certainly didn't seem honest. The choice Power has between saint and seductress is so tired, and the way this is played out here is poor even by the trope's standard. It's just a shame that some of the energy that went into the sharpness of the visuals wasn't channeled into sharpness in storytelling; among other things, the arc that takes us from headstrong boy to top bullfighter is tedious. Lastly, Mamoulian uses too much foreshadowing in an already simple story, and goes once too often to the well of putting a large crucifix in the background of his shots.

Watch it for those swirling capes, the architecture, the fabrics, the music; watch it for whoever you may be attracted to - the incomparable Rita Hayworth, Power and Quinn in their tight outfits, or Darnell, who was just 17 when the film was released ... and hey, maybe that will be enough for you.

20th Century Fox gave Tyrone Power one of his most famous roles as the bullfighter torn between the love of a noble woman, his wife (Linda Darnell), and the tempestuous "other woman" (Rita Hayworth). A technicolor remake of the 1922 classic with Valentino, the studio spared no expense in making this a lavish, well-paced version of the tale depicting the rise and fall of a great bullfighter.

While establishing Power as a romantic hero of swashbuckling roles, it made a star of Rita Hayworth who, up until this time, was seen mostly in low-budget films. If anything, 'Blood and Sand' assured of the stardom she sought.

Especially interesting in one of his more flamboyant character roles is Laird Cregar as the critic of the art of bullfighting, alternately praising and damning the hero and eventually getting his comeuppance from Power.

Directed with great style by Rouben Mamoulian, it is still the best version of the story to date, photographed in the lush technicolor of the 1940s.

You may be interested in looking at my article on Laird Cregar that appeared in the March 2001 issue of CLASSIC IMAGES.

This is a remake of the old Valentino film. Instead of the silent heart-throb, Tyrone Power plays the studly bull fighter. Initially, Power's character is a really young prodigy--with amazing natural talents and a drive to improve even more. But, through the course of the film, he becomes lazy--instead focusing on the ladies and having a good time instead of honing his skills. As a result, he becomes a bit of a hack--just going through the motions. The crowd begins to react negatively and his career seems about over. The rest of the film you can see for yourself to see how it all comes to pass.

The film is very pretty--shot in Technicolor. But, aside from a few really interesting scenes here and there, I just felt bored after a while. While a technically competent film, it's not very memorable. However, it is still much more watchable than the original--especially since the original was so heavy-handed and old fashioned (even in its day).

Exciting and colorful rendition dealing with rise and fall of a bullfighter with the seductive Rita Hayworth who was catapulted to stardom and her unfortunate conquest , Tyrone Power . This one concerns the tragic rise and fall of Juan Gallardo (Tyrone Power) and the women he loved , inside and outside of the bullfighters ring . This yarn talks about a sender labourer who wishes to achieve a big hit as a matador . Along the way he finds distresses , penury , great successes and a Femme Fatale . In spite of opposition his mother (Alla Nazimova) Juan wants to be Torero and escapes with his friends El Nacional (John Carradine) and Manolo de Palma (Anthony Quinn) to the Big City . He meets the attractive bombshell Doña Sol (Rita Hayworth ) , half Spanish, half American , but he marries his loyal bride Carmen Espinosa (Linda Darnell) . Juan on the verge of super-stardom risks it all when he falls under the spell of a seductive woman , forsaking his first love . Later on , bullfighter Gallardo celebrates triumphs but leaves his wife and falls for his lover , Doña Sol , turning from the faithful Carmen who nevertheless stands by her man , as he continues to face real danger in the bullring. He , then , risks and destroys his one opportunity for fame when Doña Sol lets him down . Things go wrong when a friend dies by a ¨Cornada¨ or goring . You Haven't Seen Tyrone Power Till You've Seen "Blood and Sand" . All the fiery romance ! ..the colorful spectacle ! .. the dramatic adventure of Blasco Ibanez' Immortal Novel of the Men Who Face Death in the Arena and the Women They Love!

This classy 1942 picture is considered to be the best version , stunningly directed by by Robert Mamoulian with big name cast , such as : Tyrone Power in the film that made him a great star , Linda Darnell , Anthony Quinn and standing out Rita Hayworth , primarily for her dancing and charming acting ; including the new brilliant Technicolor technique . Spectacular film with plenty of drama , passion , bullfighting , a triangular love story and tension at the plaza . Written by prestigious Jo Swerling and well based on the novel by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez . The film gives a real description about ¨Bullfighting art¨ with a veritable explosion of color and spectacle , as the bull is released into the ring , where he is tested for ferocity by the matador and Banderilleros with the magenta and gold Capote . Interpretations from the main and support cast are stunning . As Tyrone Power gives a nice performance as the matador becomes famous and then falls for a socialite and he is torn between two women . Alongside Rita Hayworth who delivers enough sexiness and seductiveness , while Linda Darnel is fine as the faithful and understanding wife . Support cast is pretty good , such as : Anthony Quinn, J. Carrol Naish , Lynn Bari , John Carradine , Laird Cregar , Monty Banks Monty Banks , George Reeves , Pedro de Cordoba , Fortunio Bonanova , Victor Kilian , among others . Cameramen Ernest Palmer and Ray Rennahan painted this movie in the new technicolor technique which makes it a veritable explosion of spectacle and color . Adding a sensitive and evocative musical score from Alfred Newman and uncredited David Buttolph . The motion picture lavishly financed by Darryl F Zanuck was competently directed by Robert Mamoulian . It obtained big success at the international box office and being praised by reviewers and audience .

The homonymous novel by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez , about illiterate Juan Gallardo who rises meteorically to fame and fortune in the bullfight arena only to sow the seeds of his own fall , has been adapted several times : 1916 silent first rendition by the same author Vicente Blasco assisted by cinema pioneer Ricardo Baños . 1922 recounting by Fred Niblo with Rudolph Valentino , Nina Naldi , this film made Rodolfo a star who catapulted him to stardom . A silent comical parody title ¨Bull and sand¨ (1924) by Mack Sennett . .This hit led to a Mexican Parody ¨Ni Sangre Ni Arena¨ by Alejandro Casona with Cantinflas . ¨Sangre y Arena¨ by Javier Elorrieta with Christopher Rydell , Sharon Stone , Ana Torrent . And this this film Blood and Sand (1941) is considered to be the best one . These films are interesting for people who actually enjoy the 'art of bullfighting' .

A bullfighting story. Something about Tyrone Power becoming a champion bullfighter and having Linda Darnell as a girlfriend. To be totally honest I only made it through 1 hour of this. I had to turn it off--I kept falling asleep! The story is very dull and the pace of the film is leaden. Also I have no interest in bullfighting so that didn't help. Also I saw a print with horribly faded color--that was REALLY annoying! So, maybe it was that which got to me. Whatever.

The two saving graces were Darnell and Power. She's just gorgeous and he is undoubtedly one of the best-looking men ever! Their scenes together did work and they were both very good actors. Still, it wasn't enough to save the film. If you like bullfighting you might get into this. Otherwise, stay away!

Great movie dealing with obsession, the power of women and fate. Excellent Love triangle between Power, Hayworth and Darnell. What is amazing is, as beautiful as Linda Darnell was, she is blown away by the gorgeous Rita Hayworth. Great writing and acting.

Tyrone Power plays a famous, now-deceased bullfighter's son who also goes on to become a famous bullfighter, along the way mistreating his wife and friends as he becomes arrogant. It's a basic story you've seen in movies such as "Citizen Kane"(1941) and "All the King's Men"(1949), but with its own expected variations. The film has a tendency to drag, and Power's love scenes with Rita Hayworth are so corny. Linda Darnell as Power's wife, John Carradine as Power's bullfighting friend, and Anthony Quinn as a bullfighting friend-turned rival all turn in fine performances. There is, some great music. Aside from these technical issues, the story/script of the film is good, but could have been better. Power's character should have been fleshed out much more, and the bright Academy Award-winning cinematography has a tendency to badly contrast the darker story elements, which themselves should have been focused on much more. What could have a been a great multi-character study and study on how Power's decisions affects others instead is presented as an entertaining, brightly-colored drama/romance--not bad, but not the 4 star film it had the ability to be. I'd still recommend it, though, because it does entertain and manage to show some of the character study-elements, albeit not as much as I wish it had.

A story of the life of a bull fighter. It begins with Juan as a young boy, already planning his future fighting bulls. He is arrogant and unlikeable. Sadly, he never changes and the movie ends with him still arrogant and unlikable. In fact only one of the characters, Carmen, has redeemable qualities. Don't waste your time.