Blood and Sand (1941) on Netflix
Juan Gallardo leaves Seville to become a bullfighter, promising Carmen Espinosa he will return and marry her. Years later, the celebrated matador draws the notice of the socialite Dona Sol.
- Netflix4.2/5
- IMDb6.7/103,475 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes100%
Trailer
Plot summary
In Seville, Juan Gallardo grows up wanting to follow his dead father into the bullring. Before leaving for Madrid he promises Carmen Espinosa, the aristocratic girl he has known since childhood, that he will come back and marry her once he has made his name. Ten years later he returns a successful matador, his winnings lifting his impoverished family, and he keeps his word to Carmen. His fame and his wealth grow until he is Spain's most celebrated bullfighter. Critics heap praise on his talent in the ring. At one of his fights a wealthy socialite, Dona Sol, takes notice of him.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Blood and Sand (1941)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- More than 30 actresses were considered for the role of Doña Sol, among them Gene Tierney, Ann Sheridan and Dorothy Lamour. Zanuck's original choice, Carole Landis, refused to dye her hair red, and Rita Hayworth was cast instead.
- Director Rouben Mamoulian took the look of his sets from paintings by El Greco, Goya and Velázquez, and carried paint spray guns on set so he could change the color of props on the spot. He painted shadows onto walls rather than changing the lighting.
- The film was parodied the same year by Mexican comedian Cantinflas in Neither Blood nor Sand (Ni sangre, ni arena), a deliberate spoof of the picture.
- The exterior long shots were filmed in the Mexico City Plaza de Toros, where a bullfighter coached Tyrone Power and the rest of the cast and also doubled for Power in some of the bullfighting sequences shot on location.
