Review of the Oldie English Film " Blood and Sand"

By Madan G Singh, 14th Aug 2012 | Follow this author | RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/n-1liuj0/
Posted in Wikinut>Reviews>Film & TV>Drama

This is a move made almost 5 decades + back. An excellent account of the life of a bull fighter.

Filming the book by Rouben Mamouillan
The Main Stars
The Plot
A Timeless Film
Last Word

Filming the book by Rouben Mamouillan

Tyrone Power as the Matador

Some movies mature like old wine and 'Blood and sand 'Blood and Sand' is one of them. I am talking of the movie made in the fifties with Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth. there were earlier versions of this movie, but I must confess that I have not seen them.

The movie I am referring to was seen by me during my last visit to the USA on DVD. At the outset I must mention that the movie is based on a novel by Spanish writer Rouben Mamoulian. He wrote the book in 1909 and for the last 100+ years has remained one of the best sellers. The book is originally in Spanish , but has been translated into English.

The Main Stars

Film poster

The movie stars Tyrone Power the handsome English actor in the title role of the bullfighter and Rita Hayworth plays his childhood sweetheart whom he marries. There is also a love triangle with the sexy Linda Darnell as the woman who seduces Tyrone Power.

The Plot

Linda Darnell

The film revolves around the rise of a young boy as a bullfighter who makes it to the top and then starts slipping down. He makes a come back but while acknowledging the cheers of the crowds is gored by the bull and dies. all that is left of him is his blood on the sand.

A Timeless Film

Tyrone practicing

This is a beautiful film and has stood the test of time. Directed by Hollywood legend Darryl F. Zanuck The film is a period film and that makes it time less. the direction is excellent and the music is good. the film also has some lovely and sizzling love scenes between Power and Linda which set the screen alight. But the piece de resistance are the bull fighting scenes. This is a sport peculiar to Spain and and an excellent education for people who do not know much about the sport.

Last Word

Tyrone in a love scene

Tyrone Power as the bull fighter is excellent. Its a pity he died early. Rita Hayworth is also OK but Linda as the sultry beauty is superb. All in all its an engrossing film and I will recommend it to die hard film fans. It wil be an hour and half well spent

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Meet the author

Madan G Singh
A man who spent his early years in Air Force. An avid writer with over4000 articles and 50 short stories published.Two novels on the anvil for publication.