MovieChat Forums > Blood and Sand (1941) Discussion > Would like another version

Would like another version

posted 13 years ago by mercury4
2 replies | jump to latest

I would like another version of Blood and Sand. I've seen the Valentino version and the Tyrone Power version. I think they are both great. It's interesting how you have two films made differently in different times with different stars that are great in their own right. I would love to see another version. I've seen the 1989 Blood and Sand, but that movie was far from great. I didn't like all the sex. I thought it was very unnecessary. The other versions were sexy without sex. The 1989 version wasn't even as hot as the other movies. I found the love scenes to be sleazy. Christopher Rydell was okay as Gallardo, but I mean come on. We have an icon, Valentino, being the first to play Gallardo. Then we had Tyrone Power, another great star, playing Gallardo. Then there was Chris Rydell? Valentino was Italian, but was a good choice to play a matador. He had the look. Tyrone Power, who always played a convincing Spaniard was great. But Rydell just didn't do it. He was also nowhere near as good looking as his predecessors. Not even close as an actor either. Like I said, Rydell was okay, but that's it. When you compare him to those other guys, it's disappointing. I didn't like the Dona Sol in the '89 version either. Yes, it was Sharon Stone, but she didn't look that great then. I'm also sorry to say that she can't compare to Nita Naldi or Rita Hayworth.

I think there should be a new version of Blood and Sand. We need another great version with another great actor. I would love to see Antonio Banderas as Gallardo. He may be a little too old now. Benicio Del Toro would be great as Gallardo.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Falconeer 10 years ago

Have you read the classic book "Blood & Sand?" Surprisingly, the 1989 film that you criticize remains the most faithful to the source material, out of all the films. Chris Rydell was a perfect choice to play Juan Gallardo, as he IS a Spaniard. Tyrone Power seems silly as the character because the man is not looking like a Spaniard at all, nor does he talk like one. The 1941 version is the weakest film in my opinion; it is soapy and too Hollywood and it looks very artificial, as a lot of movies from that time look. Rudolph Valentino was another story; he was superb as the Matador, with his intense eyes and his smoldering dark looks. Not exactly a Spaniard, but Rudy was Sicilian Italian, and played Latin and Middle Eastern men very believably. The Valentino silent film is my personal favorite film version of the book, but I love the 1989 version as well. The "sleazy sex" as you describe, serves as a direct analogy to the raw, primal sport of bullfighting. And actor Chris Rydell was an unknown, which only adds a level of realism to the movie. And although this isn't a beauty contest for males, i thought Rydell was extremely sexy and magnetic as Juan Gallardo. We have 3 versions of this great book; i don't think there needs to be another. And if that happens; Antonio Banderas? Benicio Del Toro??? Are you joking? No, they would do better to cast a young, unknown in this iconic role, instead of some overexposed movie star..

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