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.
