“Blood and Sand is a very good melodrama with the romantic backdrop of Spanish bullfighting. […] Linda Darnell plays Carmen with a very low-key manner […]. Unfortunately for her, she’s blown off the screen by Rita Hayworth as Dona Sol. Anyone who wonders where the Hayworth legend comes from should see this film. Even though her character is not one to root for, you can’t take your eyes off her.” Dan Friedman: Blood and Sand bei AllMovie (englisch)
“Power delivers a persuasive performance as Ibáñez’s hero while Darnell is pretty and naive as the young wife. Hayworth is excellent as the vamp and catches major attention on a par with Nazimova, who gives a corking performance as Power’s mother.” Vgl. Blood and Sand. In: Variety, 1941.