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

1 win.

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

A fascinating and important film of the Spanish Civil War

This is the story of The Abraham Lincoln Brigade, the American volunteer force that fought alongside the other international brigades against the fascists in 1936 Spain. The film tells the story of the young men and women who fought there using archival footage as well as interviews with surviving brigade volunteers. The story is true and the cause is greater than anything in recent history. Those that fought, fought for a fantastic cause and a beautiful dream, and their ultimate betrayal by the rest of the world is that much more tragic. This film is the best and most moving documentation of the "poets war" ever made and unfortunately, since the survivors aren't getting any younger, this is also probably the last great film to document their cause. the film informs and amazes. This was a clear conflict of good versus evil and evil prevailed. As a US veteran I only wish I could have been there with them, even though righteousness was destined to lose. That is how noble the cause was and how profound of an impact this film had on me.