i purchased the Blu-ray KINO version because it had restored the waist belt tying session with Rudy dressing and balcony scene that had been missing in other versions including KINO's DVD version about 3 minutes restored to the movie. the overall quality of the KINO Blu-ray DVD wasn't that much, if any, different from the regular KINO DVD version as far as i could tell which is overall pretty good.

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.

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.

I write about:"Blood&sand-Kino video-deluxe collector's edition-2001"-dvd.This's a color tinted version.Quality:very good.You can find some supplemantal features that you can read about on the front of its package.I like the soundtrack because its sound seems to me old like the movie or near.On the back side of its package you find a photograph about Rodolfo during the dressing room scene,but on this version this part of this scene has been cut...damn! I'm a silent movies collector and I hoped find here the whole scene...I hope someone can tell me where I could find it !!! Hilarious is the scene when the Moor servant offers to light Valentino's cigarette,here we found the comic side of Rodolfo,it makes me remember the "All night" movie with a comic Rodolfo's acting.In this role I find a lot of Italian soul in Rodolfo's acting,and I can understand the why he loved this movie so much,especially when Rodolfo plays the poor young Juan he seems very much like the young boys of Southern of Italy;here in Italy we call one of them them "Guaglione"with the Southern Italian slang of Naples,it traslates as "a back street boy" or "corner boy" or "urchin",the word guaglione has appeared as "wallyo" in the New York immigrant slang.I adore the scene where the poor young Juan has some troubles with his old mamy and when he sees his mamy cry he suffers and he tries to make amends...how real this scene must have seemed to Rodolfo,recalling his mother ! Kino has done a good job,I'm happy about this purchase,malefica from Italy.

I so enjoyed "Blood and Sand".

I've read this was Valentino's favorite film, although he did not like the use of stock footage of actual bullfights in Spain interwoven in the film (he had wanted the movie done on location) but the studios wanted to save money.

I have to say that the use of the stock footage was a distraction (I have to think even back in 1922 it was a distraction).

One minute you are looking at a grainy picture of a packed-to-the rafters arena somewhere in Spain, and then you are transported to another "arena" featuring nice comfy seats and having a much crisper image.

But, just when you think it looks so phony, there is Rudy (the first method actor?) making it all look so real! He's making all the real bullfighter moves, he's decked out precisely like the real item - he's even gesturing to excite the crowd.

Even the final scene was done so realistically.

This DVD is far superior to the Netflix one, which has an absolutely ghastly musical score. The Kino DVD has a wonderful score and some very charming and excellent scenes that are missing from the Netflix one.

There was just one problem: the back cover showed a picture of Juan Gallardo during the famous dressing room scene. It was the moment when the valet was wrapping the sash around his waist. The presence of this photo gives the impression that the dressing room scene is on the DVD in its entirety. But when you watch the movie, the scene has been significantly truncated, and the sash scene is missing.

This is a signature scene that is very hard to find nowadays, and for a serious film collector, it would be nice to see this scene uncut. I don't think it's right to create a package that does not honestly reflect the DVD's contents, or to give the impression that certain features are included in a movie, when in fact they are not.

I can not believe that people gave this 5 stars the characters were just awful the only thing that keep me watching was the hopes i get to see all of them die sadly mistaken and I use to really like Jamie Kennedy i still do, but Jesus Christ if the movie was 20 to 30 mins shorter it would be halfway decent.

I am currently reading a biography of Valentino and I am also watching his films for the first time. This was a pleasant surprise. For a very early silent film (1922), it is lengthy at 1:40 but it never drags and moves along at a brisk pace. Valentino is wonderful here (you will have to overlook the silly hairstyle). I actually thought his performance here was better than "The Sheik".) Nita Naldi is good as the man-killer Dona Sol, despite some hammy expressions in her first scene. A beautiful musical score enhances the film. Very good quality (not sure why it alternates between sepia and b&w), the image is sharp and well preserved.