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Rudolph Valentino stars in this silent-era drama as a young Spaniard who wants to become a famous matador. Determined to escape poverty and support his widowed mother, Juan quickly rises to national prominence as a bullfighter and marries Carmen, his longtime love. As Juan's celebrity grows, his devastatingly good looks and growing appetite for everything leave him vulnerable to the throngs of women who want him. When Dona Sol (Nita Naldi), a beautiful and exotic society woman, seduces Juan, it marks his fall from grace as gradually his fame, wife, and mistress desert him.
About 20 or 30 years ago the BBC transmitted versions of some silent films, including this one and the Barrymore Jeckyll and Hyde. I remember enjoying them because great care had been taken to present them as well as possible. They had manually tinted pictures (yellowish for daylight scenes, blue for night) and suitable background music. I haven't seen any versions like those available on DVD. This silent film has decent picture quality but it's spoiled by a completely inappropriate soundtrack of repetitive music that doesn't fit the image at all. I advise watching it with the sound turned off.
I love movies of the silent era, the old nostalgic Hollywood atmosphere, and watching this movie, I can see why all the women were so crazy about Valentino back in the 20's! This DVD version is remastered in a really great quality, considering the original is 87 years old. I love the way the music is conducted, the way it underlines the mood and drama in each scene, it couldn't be better!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:4.4 out of 5 stars 12 reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starswhy women loved Valentino31 Dec 2000
By Alejandra Vernon - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
Made in 1922, this is the first film that had his name on the marquee as a star, having captivated the hearts of millions of women a year earlier as "The Sheik".
The previous reviewer is lacking knowledge in two areas: The art of silent films, and what makes a lot of us women tick...he asks, "What's the big deal ?". Rudolph Valentino on screen was a man with a passionate heart, and a gentle soul, a combination that drives women wild. He was also a superb actor. Watch his hands throughout the film...like when he leads his bride to the bedroom, or the swift wipe before he takes Doña Sol's hand. There are many little subtleties that are wonderful...and silent films aren't "old". They are a special art form unto themselves, and can't be compared to the films of today.
This is a truly magnificent film. I find the the way it's photographed (by Alvin Wyckoff) enthralling, the sets terrific, the bullfighting scenes compelling, and of course, there's Valentino...still captivating after all these years.
This tape also includes an 11 minute piece of memorabilia from 1923. A film of Valentino judging a beauty contest. It's amusing, and interesting to see footage of him off-screen.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsWhat I think....30 Oct 2001
By Rambova - Published on Amazon.com
Format:DVD
I think this is the best film Valentino ever did! His acting in the romantic scenes lacks the over the top feel that the loves scenes in "The Sheik" have. He brings a sincere, believeable quality to the character. Also, something that the reviews here seem to miss is the comedic moments in the film. In the scene when the black Moor servant offers to light Valentino's cigarette... the look on his face is priceless! Having the video of this film as well I noticed several scenes on the DVD edition that were missing from the VHS edition. The DVD edition also includes a wonderfully funny piece of Will Rogers' "Blood And Sand" spoof.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBravo, Valentino!3 April 2002
By C. Percer - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
The quality of this film (or at least the version I purchased) did not seem to be to the standards of other Valentino films (picture seemed grainy and the speed seemed much faster), but I still rate it among one of the best. Like one review wrote, it does lack the style of the later Tyrone Power remake; however, Power comes nowhere close to Valentino's brooding, sensual portrayal of Juan Gallardo, and Nita Naldi was much more convincing as the witchy Dona Sol than Rita Hayworth, and plays the range of emotions (from begging Gallardo to love her to coldly reacting to his death)extremely well. This 1922 version captures the spirit of the bullfight remarkably well in spite of the limitations of silent film-making, and seemed incredibly authentic.
Now - about Valentino. I was puzzled at the over-emphasized eyebrows and wish the make-up artists had not found it necessary to use the effect, as Valentino would have projected a Spanish image easily with his natural dramatic looks alone. But, either way, he is intensely sexy, powerful, brooding, smoldering and hypnotic as usual. I enjoyed his portrayal of the youth Juan, especially his tenderness toward his mother. His transition from youth to adult matador was natural and believable. The scene in which Dona Sol begs him to love her and proclaims that she longs for him to "beat" her with his "strong" hands was highly erotic and was packed with a sexual tension that can't be matched by anyone other than Valentino and his leading ladies. I may be biased, because I am crazy about any vehicle which showcases Rudolph Valentino; however, this film carries its own and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Once again, Valentino has captured my heart, and I recommend this film to all lovers of romance.
