Rudolph Valentino, le grand séducteur

Filmed in 1951 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the actor's death, "Valentino" is part fact and part fiction. Photographed in glorious Technicolor, the true charm of the film is the uncanny resemblance of actor Anthony Dexter to the silent screen legend.

Although some characters are fictionalized and some were real with name changes, the film moves along nicely, especially when the title character does some tango dancing under the direction of Lewis Allen. Young people will not enjoy this film, unless they are into older movies.

But for older viewers, watch this film if you can. I don't believe it's on VHS or DVD, but hopefully, it will be one day.

This motion picture was an unsuccessful film, lost in a quagmire of fiction and caricature. Dexter who portrayed the Great Lover made a great performance including a dance of a fine Argentine tango. The naked truth is the story had everything of a good movie but strange facts happened before the shooting. The real past Madam Valentino, Natacha Rambova threatened legal action against Columbia Pictures if they attempted to portray her in the picture. Valentino's siblings Alberto and Maria did successfully sue for this unauthorized biography. So did Rex Ingram's wife, the actress Alice Terry, for the movie's portrayal of her having had an affair with Rudy both before and after her marriage to her director-husband. Final Conclusion: Columbia has changed the script and lost a masterpiece. In truth the film has been done too early when the principals personages were still alive. Nevertheless the movie released has charm due to Valentino myth and to unforgettable Dexter performance. Applauses from an old Valentino and Dexter fan. Adalberto P. Rodrigues

I saw this movie when I was 13 years old and have never forgotten it or its theme music, "The Valentino Tango". Anthony Dexter is uncanny in his resemblance to Rudolph Valentino and is mesmerizing in this role. Although most of the movie is fictional, it is a fascinating look at the silent film era. The costumes and Eleanor Parker are beautiful and it is worth seeing just for the magnificent tango scenes. When Dexter dances as Julio with Patricia Medina, any ladies heart will beat a little faster! I have been able to obtain a VHS copy of it recently and I watch it at least once a week. I still love it. There are a lot of people who remember this movie and Anthony Dexter and it's very unfortunate that no one is interested in showing it on TV or preserving it. It really is a part of our movie history because it was the only picture in which Anthony Dexter starred and successfully portrayed a silent film legend. It is thoroughly enjoyable!

First, let me say that I had a very hard time finding a copy of this movie. I found the cast very good and Anthony Dexter as Valentino gives a sensitive and respectful performance portraying the much loved silent screen star. Eleanor Parker is lovely as Valentino's true love, and Patricia Medina is beautiful in a supporting role. Richard Carlson is also very effective in his role as the director in love with the star, (Eleanor Parker). For me, the highlight of the movie is the dancing, which is beautifully interpreted. Although loosely based on the life of Rudolph Valentino, I still found the movie entertaining and would recommend it to any Valentino fan or anyone who loves a good romantic movie.

I loved Anthony Dexter's portrayal of Valentino, he especially looked like him and that's why he was chosen over 400 other auditioners for the part. But, the story wasn't told even close to what his real life was about. Also, in real life, he spoke with a Franco/Italian accent as he was fluent in both French and Italian languages, this was not portrayed in the film. He died in a delirium speaking French, which also was not dramatized in the film. I guess they thought since no one had ever heard Valentino speak in a film since he was never in a "talkie", they felt they could get away with it. Also, the costumes for the ladies, they should have taken a page out of "Singing In the Rain" although that didn't come out until 1952. They didn't use any 1920's fashions! Maybe a couple of hats. What a waste! Eleanor Parker's wardrobe was decidedly 40's/50's which for me ruined the aura of the film. Don't forget Valentino was the King of the 1920's film age which was decadent to say the least. Other than that, the film was entertaining.