The Magnificent Matador

Never forget that director Budd Boetticher was genuinely "born" in the bullfighting world, and this will never leave his mind, his soul. But let's also admit that this romance drama genre was not his genuine trademark, regarding of his filmography. Actually, there were two Budd Boetticher: First, the "bullfighter", thru movies like this one, ARRUZA and of course THE BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY. Second, the magnificent western - and not, only but mostly western - maker, with the splendid movies starring Randolph Scott, written by Burt Kennedy and produced by Harry Joe Brown. So, back to this film, of course with Anthony Quinn and Maureen O'Hara - ANTHONY - and the - QUEEN Maureen O'Hara, this could not be a lousy picture. Which I would put on the same level as THE BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY. I don't know why, but I thought of Ava Gardner here...But you know what I am talking about, if you are a movie goer.

Interesting point with The Magnificent Matador is that you can see a segment of Raoul Kraushaar's score provides the melody for Hans Zimmer's opening theme in Gladiator. Good technicians have no qualms borrowing from others. Here Hans Zimmer has cut and pasted a full seven note section.

Don't mean to harp here but more text is required. Other sound grabs in Gladiator's opening battle include pieces of ZULU theme. Some reviewers have also claimed the Gauls in the opening battle even appear to be chanting Zulu war cries but I think this is a stretch. What else can the casual observer learn from The Magnificent Matador? Pink supposedly fascinates bulls. Gold embroidery really fascinates matadors.

Visiting American Maureen O'Hara is intrigued by leading matador Anthony Quinn, now in his final year in the ring. Yet when is is to appear with his protege, Manuel Rojas, he flees the ring, and takes off in his Roll-Royce. Miss follows in her green sports car, and finally catches him. They bond, and it becomes clear to her that his reasons for leaving were not fear, but the public doesn't care, and Miss O'Hara's friend, Richard Denning is clearly jealous.

This was something of a dream project for director Budd Boetticher, who had spent a roving youth and fought bulls in Mexico; his first Hollywood credit was as technical advisor in the sound version of Blood and Sand, and he came up with the story that screenwriter Charles Lang transformed into a script. Shot in Mexico, this offers a view of Mexican people rarely seen in Hollywood movies, and features performers like Thomas Gomez, William Ching, Lola Albright and Eduardo Noriega. Lucien Ballard offers some nice camerawork, and whoever doubles for Quinn in the ring (long shots) is a good choice.

In Mexico City, wealthy American Karen Harrison (Maureen O'Hara) spots aged bullfighter Luis Santos (Anthony Quinn) praying in a cathedral. The famed star is struggling in the face of a younger rival. After dumping her male companion, she sets her sights on Luis. She literally chases him down in her car.

This has two Hollywood legends and the beauty of Mexico. Still, it is not enough to push this over the line. From the opening encounter, there is a lack of engagement. They don't even say a word in that first time. He has other things on his mind. Her motives are somewhat questionable. Their connection seems more based on anger and damage. It could still work and these are two of the best ever. It almost does, but there is something slow and grinding about this romantic melodrama.

Expensively filmed and orchestrated in colour Cinemascope, Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn star in this slow romance set in the bullfighting milieu in Mexico.

Quinn is a matador in his last year that throws over a showing apparently because he chickens out and shacks up with the wealthy O'Hara.

Tedious portentousness passes for gravity in this slow drama, with some rough cutting especially the scene where the background shifts about six times, alternating between treeless plain, treeless mountain, and tree-filled mountain all in the same shot.

The greasy 'hombres' in tuxedos are a bit interesting, but the politics is rubbish and bullfighting is 'orrible anyway.