{"id":80527,"date":"2022-01-23T00:38:53","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T07:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80527"},"modified":"2022-01-24T18:02:34","modified_gmt":"2022-01-25T01:02:34","slug":"magnificent-matador-the-1955","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80527","title":{"rendered":"Magnificent Matador, The (1955)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;The trick is to be able to live with the fear, and still face the bulls with dignity.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Poster-204x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"204\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-80528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Poster-204x300.png 204w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Poster-696x1024.png 696w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Poster-87x128.png 87w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Poster-183x270.png 183w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Poster.png 763w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA socialite (Maureen O&#8217;Hara) falls in love with an aging matador (Anthony Quinn) who has disappointed his public by refusing to appear in a fight. Can Quinn be motivated to return to the arena and face the bulls alongside his protege (Manuel Rojas)?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anthony Quinn Films<\/li>\n<li>Budd Boetticher Films<\/li>\n<li>Bullfighting<\/li>\n<li>Has-Beens<\/li>\n<li>Maureen O&#8217;Hara Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDirector Budd Boetticher is best known for the set of westerns he made with Randolph Scott known as the &#8220;Ranown Cycle&#8221;: <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4084\"><em>Seven Men From Now<\/em> (1956)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=48439\"><em>The Tall T<\/em> (1957)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1401\"><em>Decision at Sundown<\/em> (1957)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1395\"><em>Buchanan Rides Alone<\/em> (1958)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1406\"><em>Ride Lonesome<\/em> (1959)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3651\"><em>Westbound<\/em> (1959)<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=73027\"><em>Comanche Station<\/em> (1960)<\/a>. However, he also made three films based on his first and most enduring love: bullfighting. His breakthrough movie was <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=121\"><em>The Bullfighter and the Lady<\/em> (1951)<\/a>, followed a few years later by this flick, which was <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Magnificent_Matador\">apparently written simply to provide a substantial role for Anthony Quinn<\/a>. Unfortunately, it&#8217;s much less compelling than his 1951 outing, and doesn&#8217;t have a whole lot going for it other than fine cinematography by Lucien Ballard and a couple of big names: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Lovers.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Lovers.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Lovers.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Lovers-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Lovers-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Lovers-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The screenplay and dialogue are incredibly hoary, with little to hold our interest or attention. Storywise, beautiful, wealthy O&#8217;Hara &#8212; used to getting whatever she wants &#8212; has a thing for bullfighters (Quinn in particular), causing her would-be lover (Richard Denning) to be both jealous and petty: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Love-Triangle.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Love-Triangle.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Love-Triangle.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Love-Triangle-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Love-Triangle-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Love-Triangle-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Quinn also has a jealous ex-lover (Lorraine Chanel) lurking in the periphery, without anything to do but sulk: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Chanel.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Chanel.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Chanel.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Chanel-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Chanel-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Chanel-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a beloved friend (Thomas Gomez) who raises bulls affords Quinn a convenient opportunity to reconnect with his passion: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Gomez.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Gomez.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Gomez.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Gomez-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Gomez-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Gomez-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and there&#8217;s also a minor storyline about a long-lost son &#8212; but none of this is particularly compelling. Film fanatics don&#8217;t need to bother checking this one out. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lucian Ballard&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Arena.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Arena.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Arena.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Arena-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Arena-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Magnificent-Matador-Arena-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNope; you can skip this one unless you&#8217;re a Boetticher completist or a diehard fan of one of the stars. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0048331\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1955\/05\/25\/archives\/screen-bulls-sans-fight-magnificent-matador-shows-little-of-peril.html\">NY Times Original Review (spoiler alert) <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The trick is to be able to live with the fear, and still face the bulls with dignity.&#8221; Synopsis: A socialite (Maureen O&#8217;Hara) falls in love with an aging matador (Anthony Quinn) who has disappointed his public by refusing to appear in a fight. Can Quinn be motivated to return to the arena and face the bulls alongside his protege (Manuel Rojas)? Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Anthony Quinn Films Budd Boetticher Films Bullfighting Has-Beens Maureen O&#8217;Hara Films Review: Director&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80527\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=80527"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80605,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80527\/revisions\/80605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=80527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=80527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=80527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}