No match for Valentino


Tyrone Power was in no way a convincing Spaniard; he just looked silly trying to seem Spanish. The Rudolph Valentino version is Worlds better than this soap opera. The 1940's proved to be a sappy time for movies; everything looks so fake and squeaky-clean, from the 1940's, through the 50's. But the 1920's silents were so sexy, and they didn't seem to be so afraid of controversial material. And no actor can fill Rudolph Valentino's shoes..I feel sorry for guys cast as characters that were played by Valentino first. They don't stand a chance.

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

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Power became an idol in Spanish-speaking countries as a result of this film, Captain from Castile, and The Mark of Zorro. So they obviously didn't agree. Read the review by bkoganbing, a very prolific reviewer.

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I don't know if it was Tyrone Power, or simply the way this movie was made; but I thought it was lousy. Having seen all 3 films, (Valentino, T. Power, and the version from the 80's) and considering the fact that Ibanaz' classic novel "Blood & Sand" is my favorite book of all time, i believe my opinion is also valid. Have you read the novel? If so you would realize that the soapy, glossy movie with Tyrone Power is an absolutely ridiculous way to bring this gritty, realistic novel to the screen.

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

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Of course your opinion is valid, I just don't agree with it. Lots of books have been adapted to the screen that have little connection to the book. I am a big fan of Rouben Mamoulian's, and I think he did a great job with the film, basing many of the shots on the paintings of Goya. And the scene where Power drags his cape across the ring is stunning, as are so many of the shots. I was in Cincinnati when it was shown recently and on the big screen, it's wonderful. I think the fact that Power to this day is popular in Spanish-speaking countries says a lot -- and after all, he probably did have Spanish blood as "black Irish" comes from Spaniards settling in Ireland.

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I'm a fan of silent films but the Valentino silent version is a very weak film. Valentino's final two films, THE EAGLE and THE SON OF THE SHIEK are excellent but BLOOD AND SAND does nothing for me.

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Agreed, I love The Eagle and The Son of the Sheik but much prefer Tyrone's Blood and Sand to the Valentino version.

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I've seen both The Eagle and TSOTS and liked both but never saw his version of B&S.

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That's a myth. There so-called Black Irish is a myth. That darker coloring is prevalent amongst other Celts like the Scottish and Welsh like Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones. That coloring is the original look of the Celts before the Germanic invasions.

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I was wondering about his ethnic background, I know he was Irish and few other ethnicities( French and something else), but due his features, he looks a little Mediterranean as well. It is possible, he had some Spanish ancestery.

I think he was fascinated by Latin American culture. After all, Caesar Romero was one of his best buddies, and his second wife was born in Mexico. In addition, during the war, he and Caesar did a goodwill tour to Cuba, other Carribean islands, Mexico, and Central and South America. There is footage of their trip on YT, albeit brief.



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