The Blood of the Arena

I have seen the film several times, always missing the piint, and seeing it as a personal tragedy for Gallardo. More importantly, after I read the book, in English, I found that it is a stinging critique of fascism, of catholicism in its primitive forms, of the wealthy and their sloth and a glorification of romanitc, populist truth in the form of the bandit who appears in the middle of the book(This is omitted from the film!)I found it powerful writing, full of magnificent symbolism e.g. when Gallardo goes into the Church to pray, and clean, evocative writing. I now intend to read it in el Espanol.

Who in the world is Juan Gallardo?This could be the question you're asking yourself. Juan Gallardo is a good looking young man who keepsthe family tradition of bullfighting alive.Afterliving in poverty most of his life,Juan becomesfamous and rich.He marries a pretty young womancalled Carmen.Their happiness is interrupted bythe sexy Dona Sol.Juan,who is naive and illiteratesuccumbs to Dona Sol's temptations,leaving behinda distraught Carmen and cuadrilla.Juan Gallardo is not clever.He has everything hecould want,but it is never good enough.He squandershis money on valueless items and alcohol ratherthen using it to do good for someone else.We pity Juan for this reason but also ask"Where are your brains?"Ofcourse we know that if Juan had had brainshe may not have been a matador.It is safe to say his theme song would havebeen "If I only had a brain."This is what makes the story interesting,besides, how often do we get to read aboutbullfighting?If you want to know what happens to Juanat the end, READ THE BOOK!!!