Blood and Sand (1941)

John Carradine: El Nacional

Photos 

Quotes 

• Nacional : [dying in great pain]  I've dragged myself through the blood and sand of a thousand arenas. In the end there's only one thing I regret - I never learned to read or write. I was obliged to renounce education... but I make the whole world responsible for my ignorance.

• Nacional : But it isn't right for you to fill yourself with rum on the day of a corrida. You don't have to worry about the bulls this afternoon. We drew a couple of bravos.

  Juan Gallardo : It's not the bulls - it's the crowds. They're waiting for me with claws.

  Nacional : The crowd is forgetful, Juanillo, like a woman, and fickle like a woman, and cruel... like a woman.

  Juan Gallardo : Shut your mouth!

• Nacional : But, what can you expect from a herd that for the most part can't read or write? They enjoy the pleasure of a tragic emotion without the slightest danger to themselves. They scream with a lust for blood! As for the people who sit in the shade, at least they can afford it. But, the citizens of the sun, they pay five pesetas, a whole days pay - enough to feed a family, to fry in the sunny side of the ring, while they watch a few bulls being butchered. A criminal business.

• [repeated line] 

  Nacional : I swear, this is my last season!

• Nacional : You can't blame the crowd. You're not giving them anything!

  Juan Gallardo : Well, I've had bad luck. The bulls have been much bigger.

  Nacional : They only seem bigger. Because, when you face them, you're afraid! You were born with very little, like the rest of us; but, one thing that you had was real and pure. You were a born killer of bulls - a matador! She took it away from you. Now, when you face the bull with a sword, you're drained! Empty! There's nothing left of you but fear! You have a gun, haven't you? Why don't you bring it to the ring with you and kill the beast with a bullet!

  [Juan slaps Nacional] 

• Nacional : Life is very curious. There's no remedy.

• Nacional : Amigo, there is some things you can't stop, not even with a cape. Well, I'm quitting. This is my last season.

  [rolls over and dies]