This silent love story is a three-hanky weeper. Poor shoemaker's son in Seville makes good as a Toreador, marries his childhood sweetheart and becomes a nationally acclaimed celebrity. Unfortunately he falls for the charms of a rich, exotic vamp and helplessly follows her down the well-worn path of self-destruction.

Although Valentino will always be remembered, first and foremost, for his over-the-top lovemaking in The Sheik, it is in this movie that he gives a much finer and far more subtle performance. He captures the joys of success experienced by the young Juan, as he becomes a famous matador in the bullring; then shows his frustration and sorrow as he vainly tries to escape the clutches of the wicked Dona Sol (Nita Naldi doing her best Theda Bara).

The final scene, where Juan is gored by a bull and dies in the arms of his forgiving young wife, is all the more poignant in light of the fact that in less than four years time Valentino would be dead in real life. His was the first modern superstar death. There are at least two documented cases of women committing suicide upon hearing the news and more than 80,000 grief stricken fans caused a near riot at his funeral in New York City. This was, after all, to paraphrase Norma Desmond, "Before the Pictures Got Small". Movie stars then were Gods and Goddesses, not mere mortals that walked amongst us, and Rudolph Valentino was, perhaps, the greatest of them all.

But don't take my word for it, watch Blood and Sand and decide for yourself.

Photos Š Copyright 1922 Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved