BLOOD AND SAND

US, 1941, 125 minutes, Colour.
Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Rita Hayworth, Nazimova, Anthony Quinn, John Carradine, Lynn Bari, J.Carrol Naish, Laird Cregar, George Reeves.
Directed by Rouben Mamoulian.

Blood and Sand was a popular vehicle for Rudolph Valentino in the 1920s. It was remade colourfully in the early 40s by Rouben Mamoulian (Mark of Zorro). The pastel coloured photography received an Academy Award.

The film is based on the popular novel by Vicente Blasco Ibanez. it was a star vehicle for Tyrone Power and established the careers of Linda Darnel and Rita Hayworth. The film has a strong supporting cast Including Nazimova as the Matador's Mother.

It seems a bit tame now.

1. Popular story, the tradition of Rudolph Valentino? In retrospect?

2. The popularity of the story and its drama? Title?

3. The work of Rouben Mamoulian? colour, spectacle, action, romance? Musical score?

4. The Spanish settings, the world of the bullfighter, wealthy, society,the journalists, the taverns?

5. Juan as a child, grown up, home, in the night with the bulls, skills,the childhood friendship with Carmen? Growing popularity and fame? His going away to learn bullfighting? Friendship with Manolo? Growing up, the return, skills, achievement, popularity and fame? The clash with Curro with the bottle, Curro's change of heart as Juan became a celebrity? The veteran bullfighter whom he admired, a beggar, asking for a job, helping Juan? His relationship with his Mother, her continuing to scrub floors? His sister?

6. Carmen, the young girl, the wealth, the father? Faithful to Juan? In love, the marriage? Their life together? His love for her? A future? bullfighting, dedication? Juan and his going away with Sol? his skills? The servant?

7. Juan being highly popular at the matador events, spectacle, romance? Ingredients, the perennial glamour of this world? the world of the journalists? going home, the night with Carmen? going away, the return? His skills with Curro with the hot celebrity? His manager, friend whom he admired? wealthy, society, taverns? the bullfighting? achievement? Curro's change?

8. The meeting with Dona Sol? At the bullfight? dedicating the kill to her? Society, flirtatious? Seduction? His leaving Carmen, going away with Sol? The double life? The decline of his skills? comments of people, the press? Nacional? Carmen and her anxiety? Her going to see Sol and discovering Juan?

9. The contrast between the two women? Carmen and her fidelity? Love for Juan? Dona Sol and her worldliness, seduction, interest in Matadors? Able to discard Juan?

10. Curro, the journalists, critics, adulation?

11. The bullfighters' world, friendship, skills, the accidents? Nacional's death?

12. Juan, coming to his senses, the support of Carmen his death? Her final words?

13. Popular ingredients? Melodrama?