I first saw THE BRAVE ONE in 1957 during its second run at the Johnston Theatre in Rhode Island when I was fifteen years old. It was for me a captivating story about a Mexican boy who has a pet bull, Gitano. He falls so in love with it that the bull-farm owner grants it to him as a personal pet. We have had many boy-loves-dog films. Why not a boy-loves-bull movie? Everything goes blissfully well for the pre-adolescent taurophile until the owner's death, when the farm changes hands, and there is no record of of the special privilege. The bull is sent off to a Mexico City bull ring and our young hero, Leonardo, pursues his beloved in an attempt to save it from possible death. He even has the good fortune to have an audience with the president of Mexico, who grants the pet a special favor. Too late, unfortunately, for the beast is released into the ring. But this "brave one" resists his picadores and torero Fermin Rivera so strenuously that the spectators demand an "indulto" or reprieve from death, and he is granted one in the exciting final scene. Bull and boy exit the ring together in bliss. This is actually great family entertainment. The film has a lot going for it: a simple but captivating story, luscious CinemaScope Technicolor photography by brilliant British cinematographer Jack Cardiff, a wonderful and winning musical score by Victor Young (I once went all over creation looking for an LP copy of the sound track. I still have it and it is a collector's item.) The young hero Leonardo was played by gifted British child actor Michel Ray, who was so effective in other films as well like THE DIVIDED HEART, FLOOD TIDE, THE TIN STAR, and even in a stint as Peter O'Toole's young Arab lover in LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. I have his autographed photo. Does anyone know what became of Michel Ray as an adult? I would like to know. This film, when I was an adolescent, was one of my guilty pleasures, and I pursued it all over creation as Leonardo pursued Gitano. I do not have quite the same feelings for it now, but I certainly remember it with tender fondness.
Review of The Brave One
