The Good Fight: The Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War (1984)

The story of an American Communist militia that fought for the Spanish Republicans in the 1936-39 Civil War.

Directors:

Noel Buckner, Mary Dore

Writers:

Noel Buckner, Mary Dore

Stars:

Ruth Davidow, Colleen Dewhurst, John Houseman

Cast

Credited cast:
Ruth Davidow
Colleen Dewhurst	...	La Pasionaria (voice)
John Houseman
Studs Terkel	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

This documentary examines the experiences of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, using interviews with survivors more than 50 years later. First, the film sets the context with the rise of Fascism. Then, in 1936, Spain's military revolts against the elected government, and the U.S. and Europe agree not to intervene. In response, volunteers snuck past border guards into Spain to fight with the Republicans. The men and women veterans describe the perils of reaching Spain, limited training, responsibilities of command thrust on the very young, deprivations of a soldier's life, lack of matériel, horrible rates of casualties, and ultimate vindication at the end of World War II.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | spanish civil war | 

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Taglines:

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Good Fight

Company Credits

Production Co:

Abraham Lincoln Brigade Film Project,The National Endowment for the Humanities

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several popular musical performers, such as Paul Robeson and Pete Seeger, raised funds to support the Republican effort through Communist Party groups.

User Reviews

There were many reasons to be in this war, but...

An earlier reviewer gave this film three stars and noted that it was "terribly one-side." Another reviewer, from Spain, gave it one star and pretty much damned it as leftist propaganda.

I, on the other hand, thought it was pretty even-handed. I can't find anything in this film that's inaccurate. Facts: Franco and his mob WERE fascists. They rose against the legally elected government. They were supported by Hitler and Mussolini, who sent their troops, tanks, and their air forces to help Franco win the war. The western governments cut off all supplies to the legally elected government. The government was supported by the people, who were tired of their feudal existence. The government established universal education for the very first time and lessened the power of he church, the aristocracy, and the land owners. I don't think the negative reviewers can dispute these claims. It is true, however, that there was much barbarity committed by both sides.

f you research the Spanish Civil War, you will find that people had many reasons for getting into it, whichever side they chose. This film covers only the experience of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, American volunteers who fought on the side of the government, and the experiences of people who served with the Lincolns.

Interesting footnote: Franco was supported big-time by Hitler and Mussolini, both of whom sent troops, tanks, and parts of their air forces to help him win the war. The legally elected government had no support whatsoever from the U.S., Britain, or France (in fact, they hindered the government) and only piddly support from the USSR. Apart from the USSR, the only other foreign support came from individual people from all over the world who came to Spain under their own individual power to stand up to fascism.

That's what this film is about.