As stated elsewhere,this is a non-musical version of "Carmen", based not on the opera, but on Prosper Merimee's original story which inspired it. The movie doesn't use Bizet's music, not even as background, but the plot is essentially the same as in the opera, and the Merimee story. Without giving away the ending for those who don't know it, I will say the Production Code enforced at the time imposed an even harsher "eye for an eye" ending than in any previous or future version. The acting is sincere, if not great. Rita Hayworth is an excellent choice for Carmen; unfortunately,the producers were trying for a follow-up to the smash hit "Gilda",so they again paired her with Glenn Ford, hilariously miscast as Don Jose, her soldier-lover. (It doesn't work this time.)The sets are very obviously studio bound,and no one will ever be fooled into thinking this was really shot in Spain. The dialogue verges on typical "B" picture dialogue;in fact, if you didn't know this was "Carmen", you WOULD think it was just a trashy-but-fun-to-watch melodrama in gorgeous Technicolor.