Blood and Sand (1989) User Reviews (5)

A Sad Story, Good Setting and Average Acting

[yarkis · 6/10 · 2 November 2003]

In fact, this movie is a touching drama. I have watched it three times between 1993 and 2003 and still like it.

Here, I would like to write about five elements:

1-The subject, a story of a cocky young man, who dreams of glory, fame, adventure and fortune...plus true friendship, love and family relations by parents and wife who remain faithful to the hero until the end...whereas the fans who applauded for the brave "matador" will forget him very fast. Its an interesting phenomenon...sometimes people run after those who will hurt them and ignore those real persons who care for them! Another idea is that people should remain humble, modest and satisfy themselves with what they have in life, like say, loving woman, warm family, a job, etc, if you seek for more and don't appreciate the existing "things" then you may lose everything! Another idea is people's mentality...so unstable in their relationships and they approach you when you are BIG, at your height, rich etc and DUMP you the moment you fail...that goes right for women as well...well SOME women. Also the symbol of vicious, destructive woman is represented well thanks to Sharon Stone's acting skills.

The Spanish simple life, colorful scenes and cultural sites,religious atmosphere and family ties are reflected well in this movie. The music is good, touching and suitable to the subject and scenes.

No 2 below is a sort of SPOILER>>>>>>>>>SPOILER

2-Christoper Riddle doesnot convince us sometimes in his acting...It was not so convincing to see him change so quickly and go after alcohol addiction...why? Was it necessary..or he was tormented between Carmen's love and Sol's alluring sex appeal...??

3-Sharon Stone's acting, as usual..but particularly in such roles, gives a huge boost to the movie. She is the typical sexy woman, without values, having fun and recklessly playing with other's destiny with her unbeatable weapons...beauty, eyes and sexy presence.

4-Carmen is great also in her role as a faithful wife and supporting partner and a person who suffers silently for the sake of his man... Juan's mother is a success so is his step father, who is an opportunist and nagging old man...with not much to do in life.

5-This movie seems very realistic, it could happen to anyone in different environments and settings (not necessarily a matador)...its the usual struggle of man to have more, to have everything and on the way to achieve that he/she loses himself/herself...

Some of the dialogue is preaching...courage, fame, etc...but nevertheless, there are some good quotes like Sol's definition of men, and Juan's definition of his struggle with bulls (others including women)...and also Sol's "convincing" and "consoling" words to Carmen about having back her man forever..they sound real.

I gave the movie 6/10, and I give Sharon Stone 8/10, the panoramic views 9/10 and the music 10/10 You may watch it and say "Ole'" ...

Vicente Blasco Ibañez's rendition about rise and fall of a bullfighter with the seductive Sharon Stone

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 2 March 2017]

This one concerns the tragic rise and fall of Juan Gallardo (Christopher Rydell of short career , son of notorious filmmaker Mark Rydell) and the women he loved , inside and outside of the bullfighters ring . This yarn talks about a sender labourer who wishes to achieve a big hit as a matador . Along the way he finds distresses , penury , great successes and a Femme Fatale . In spite of opposition his mother (Margarita Cahorra) Juan wants to be Torero and escapes with his friend Chiripa (Antonio Flores) who dies by a ¨Cornada¨ or goring . He meets the attractive aristocrat Doña Sol (Sharon Stone) , half Spanish, half American , but he marries his bride Carmen (Ana Torrent) . Juan on the verge of super-stardom risks it all when he falls under the spell of a seductive woman , forsaking his first love . Later on , bullfighter Gallardo celebrates triumphs but leaves his wife and falls for his lover , Doña Sol , turning from the faithful Carmen who nevertheless stands by her man , as he continues to face real danger in the bullring. He , then , risks and destroys his one opportunity for fame when Doña Sol lets him down.

Spectacular film plenty of drama , passion , bullfighting , a triangular love story and eroticism . Written by prestigious Rafael Azcona and Ricardo Franco , the latter being the original director to shoot this film , though he was turned down . The film gives a real description about ¨Bullfighting art¨ with a veritable explosion of color and spectacle , as the bull is released into the ring , where he is tested for ferocity by the matador and Banderilleros with the magenta and gold Capote . Uneven film with average acting and including strong love scenes . As Christopher Rydell gives a mediocre performance as the matador becomes famous and then falls for a socialite and he is torn between two woman . Passable acting by Sharon Stone , two years earlier becoming famous with ¨Basic instinct¨ (92) by Paul Verhoeven , here she delivers enough sexiness and seductiveness , and of course a so-so interpretation . Support cast is pretty good , such as : Simón Andreu as brother-in-law , Guillermo Montesinos , Margarita Calahorra , Albert Vidal , Antonio Flores , José Luis Vilallonga , Daniel Martin , Luis Barboo , Tony Fuentes , José Maria Caffarel , and Aldo Sambrell . Well produced by José Frade to pay tribute his fifty film , as he financed this his last and ordinary remake , in which stands out the erotic scenes . The motion picture was regularly directed by Javier Elorrieta . It obtained success at the Spanish box office , though no abroad , and being panned by the reviewers .

The homonymous novel by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez , about illiterate Juan Gallardo who rises meteorically to fame and fortune in the bullfight arena only to sow the seeds of his own fall , has been adapted several times : 1916 silent first rendition by the same author Vicente Blasco assisted by cinema pioneer Ricardo Baños . 1922 recounting by Fred Niblo with Rudolph Valentino , Nina Naldi , this film made Rodolfo a star who catapulted him to stardom . A silent comical parody title ¨Bull and sand¨ (1924) by Mack Sennett . 1942 by Robert Mamoulian with Tyrone Power , Linda Darnell , Anthony Quinn and standing out Rita Hayworth , primarily for her dancing and acting ; this film is considered to be the best one , including the new brilliant Technicolor technique . This hit led to a Mexican Parody ¨Ni Sangre Ni Arena¨ by Alejandro Casona with Cantinflas . These films are interesting for people who actually enjoy the 'art of bullfighting' .

Soapy and Glossy

[zeu69 · 12 December 2000]

An interesting remake of the original Blood and Sand (1914) is given an erotic and soapy revamp in the remake. Its the story of a cocky young bull fighter, who on the way to the top forsakes his loving wife for a sexy siren (Sharon stone) who eventually is responsible for his downfall. Chris Rydell seems very wooden in the role of the bullfighter while Stone manages to pull off a convincing part. The bullfighting sequences are quite interesting although the film on a whole has a very soapy and glossy feel to it.

A big disappointment for a Sharon Stone fan.

[Lee-144 · 1/10 · 21 January 2000]

This movie, (English title Blood and Sand,) might be good if you love bull fighting, but probably not. And for the rest of us it is a definite skip it. Every scene, and almost every line in the movie is predictable. I had hoped that at least with Sharon Stone in the movie we'd have something nice to look at, but most of the movie her hair is frazzled like she stuck her finger in a light socket and even she doesn't look that nice.

Sexy remake of a classic

[Falconeer · 7/10 · 4 June 2014]

This 1989 re-telling of the life of Juan Gallardo, famed Matador, is actually the closest thing you will get to the book that it was based on. Of the three movies, this one has the deepest understanding of Spain's culture, and what the art of bullfighting means to the people of this land. It's also an incredibly sexy movie, filled with passion, violence and betrayal. Chris Rydell is perfectly cast as the young bullfighter, determined to make a name for himself in the arena, while following his dream. Things go well for him until Sol comes into his life. Played with typical erotic flair, Sharon Stone is the beautiful woman who enters Juan's life, threatening his marriage, as well as his career, for no other reason than her own personal pleasure. It's a heartbreaking love story as well, as Juan and his innocent wife are such likable characters. for this production, the story is adjusted so that it takes place in modern times. Surprisingly, that decision takes nothing away from the power of this wonderful film. Featuring gorgeous cinematography and a beautiful, capable cast, as well as an intoxicating score, this one should please fans of the 1922 original, starring Rudolph Valentino. Also featured are some impressive and sometimes bloody footage of Matadors and bulls in the arena. Scenes that were surprisingly heavily censored for the Spanish language video release. I'm not sure why this film is virtually unknown in North America, as it deserves attention. Perhaps it is due to the subject matter of bullfighting,, which holds little interest to most of the population, and the sport offends many animal rights activists as well. Still, for those with open minds, looking for an old fashioned tragic romance, "Blood and Sand" is worth tracking down. But be aware; you might need a cold shower afterwards.