Product Details

• Actors: Rosa Rosanova, Leo White, Rosita Marstini, Rudolph Valentino, Lila Lee
• Directors: Dorothy Arzner, Fred Niblo
• Format: Black & White, Silent, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kino Video
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301826736
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,530 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Rudolph Valentino's star power burns through this adaptation of Vicente Blasco Ibanez's exotic melodrama of an Andalusian peasant boy who becomes the greatest matador in all of Spain. The swaggering but sincere Valentino marries good Catholic girl Lila Lee, a coy innocent with bow-tie lips, but is seduced by voracious vamp Nita Naldi, a high-society man-eater who decides to add a bullfighter to her list of conquests. Journeyman director Fred Niblo (the 1925 version of Ben-Hur) mounts this grand piece of romantic nonsense with little subtlety but plenty of spectacle, and in the best Hollywood tradition celebrates the macho glamour of the sport while decrying its cruelty. While it lacks the grace or style of Rouben Mamoulian's 1941 color remake, Valentino's charisma and confidence and smoldering eyes give the film a simmering, sultry life that no remake has been able to capture. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars why women loved Valentino, December 30, 2000

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blood & Sand [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What I think...., October 30, 2001

By 

Rambova "N. Rambova" (Arizona, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood & Sand (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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo, Valentino!, April 3, 2002

By 

C. Percer "Little Irish girl" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blood & Sand [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.