It looks like Valentino began production on a movie in Spain titled, The Great Captain, based on the life of the Spanish General, Gonzolo Hernandez De Cordova, known in Spanish history as “El Grand Capitan”. Cordova fought in the Conquest of Granada and the Italian Wars and was the first military leader to use hand guns in battle. As excerpted from Variety, October 1925.
Of course in 1925, Rudolph Valentino felt very alive and was not thinking about his death or even old age. He was then vital and rich with prospective projects.
His interest in filming in Europe is well-known but this production does not appear to have been pursued much further than his gaining permission of King Alfonso. I can not imagine the King saying no to Rudolph Valentino in 1925.
How poignant though imo that Valentino dreamed of playing a heroic soldier, the noble victor, swashbuckling and colorful historical characters. In light of the conversation in the comments on my last post, I find it all the more tragic this man of heroic intent should be so demeaned and debased by lunatics with mental disorders. There is nothing so honorable in that for the young man who was cut down in the prime of his incredible youth and just while beginning production on a film about The Great Captain.
His movie Cellini was barely underway when he died and I wrote in Affairs Valentino how the logistics of that film were resolved by Ullman after Valentino's death. The 15th and 16th century held its allure for Valentino and maybe he should not be slung hither and thither between the sick and selfish fantasies of the cultists.
The Spanish General, Gonzolo Hernandez De Cordova's memoirs were published in 1851, and more can be found about this character Valentino hoped to play here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzalo_Fern%C3%A1ndez_de_C%C3%B3rdoba
https://www.martoswordstoledo.com/medieval-swords/603-sword-of-the-great-captain.html
Artist's interpretation of Spanish General Cordova
