Description
A film full of warmth and sensitivity. “The Brave One” is the love story of a boy and a bull. Gitano — or Gypsy — is the name the boy gives the bull whose life he saves during a storm. The animal follows him around like a puppy until the legal owners spirit the mature Gitano away to do battle with matador Fermin Rivera in the Plaza de Mexico bullring in Mexico City. The boy protests in vain at the cruelty of the arena and finally secures a “pardon” for his pet signe… More >>
#1 by Guy De Federicis on June 29, 2010 - 3:01 am
Earnest, Disney-like film about a boy who tries to save his bull from the matador’s ring in Mexico City. The ride atop an old farm truck into Mexico City is a beautiful scene suggesting a “Wizard of Oz” affection and the only drawback is the kid’s unremarkable ability to show expressions of joy, sadness, excitement, etc., as the camera focuses in on his face. The bull makes for a unique, likeable hero. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay of 1956.
Rating: 3 / 5
#2 by Kin Loch on June 29, 2010 - 4:36 am
This is a great movie for children and I highly recommend it. Genuine real people acting, no animation, and a classic story to touch the heart strings. My grand-children request this DVD be played over and above many of the present day movies as it takes them in to a world that reaches out to their feelings and emotions.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Michael D. Mclean on June 29, 2010 - 4:54 am
Being a life long audiophile and classical music lover, I was ready, at the age of 16, in 1957, to be deeply impressed when I saw “The Brave One” first run, in CinemaScope, with four channel magnetic sound, at the Norwest theater in Detroit. This King Brothers film, about a boy who falls in love with a bull, was billed as “The motion picture from the human heart for the human heart.” The Dalton Trumbo story, combined with an awesome Victor Young score, and supported by a magnificent performance by Michel Ray with a fine supporting cast and direction, has stood the test of time. In spite of it’s cost of a days pay at the time, I ran out and purchased the LP sound track album (Decca DL8344) because I was filled with mad lust to hear the music. I still have this album, and I have seen it listed for sale to collectors for $300. This should indicate the eloquent and vibrant quality of the music. Over the years I have purchased this film on VHS, LASERDISK, and now this wonderful DVD. In my opinion, this is the greatest movie ever made about the love of a small boy for an animal. I consider it to be virtually impossible to watch this film without ending up with tears in your eyes and a lump in your throat. I have screened it for many friends, some of whom are fans of this genre, and they all agree with me that the King Brothers gave us the King. This new DVD has outstanding image quality, and the best sound of all the versions that I have heard. The beautiful integration of music and title images sends chills down ones back right from the first foot of film, as the sound of the xylophone sparks the lightning bolts shooting out from the radio tower spelling out “RKO RADIO PICTURES.” This wonderful old logo was designed and photographed by Linwood Dunn, the head of the RKO special effects department, whom I was fortunate enough to meet one day and discuss his work. No film shows off this wonderful logo as well as “The Brave One.” Michel Ray quit acting and got a fine education in business. He went on to Wall Street and made millions. Eventually, he married the daughter of Freddy Heineken, the Dutch brewer. The happy couple are worth billions, and recently were major investors in the the new James Bond film “Casino Royale” starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by R. E. Sims on June 29, 2010 - 6:45 am
Besides the good story.
The photography is excellent.With the Wide-Screen view and its clarity,the film makes it feel like you are right there at the arenas.The street scenes are actual shots of everyday traffic.See if you can quickly name some of those classic automobiles.
The acting is natural and the dialog is very good.It is a heart warming story of a young teen age boy and his pet bull.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Roberto Frangie on June 29, 2010 - 8:12 am
“The Brave One” is about a peasant boy who runs away to Mexico City to save his brave bull, Gitano… Irving Rapper directed the beautiful simple story of Leonardo and his attachment to his pet bull with understanding… It has an authentic look in the bullring, on ranches and in Mexican streets… It has humor, attachment, determination, bravery, suspense, and a terrific climax…
The highlights of the film are many as the weaning and branding of the bulls and how they are tested in the open fields; la Fiesta Brava filling resplendently in the gold and pink brocades of Mexico, mixing with the elegance of swirling capes; the father of Leonardo (Rodolfo Hoyos) trying to make Leonardo understand that the pet bull is born to die in the ring – the reason of his life –
With a tremendous score and an outstanding color photography of exceptional beauty, Jack Cardiff realized the most beautiful and expressive scenery of the Mexican landscapes… “The Brave One” had the flavor of the bullfight game and its devotees and hangers-on…
Rating: 5 / 5