CONSENSUS 93. Land and Freedom (1995)

SYNOPSIS:  “Land and Freedom” is set in the Spanish Civil War in 1936.  A British communist goes to Spain because he can’t see himself sitting this one out.  David Carr (Ian Hart) joins a foreigner-infused rebel militia that is hard-core Trotskyites.  They are fighting not just against Franco’s fascists, but they are at odds with the Soviet-supported communists and the democratic republicans.  Carr befriends the other men and women of various nationalities in his small unit and finds love.

BACK-STORY:  The director is Ken Loach (“The Wind That Shakes the Barley”).  As usual, he is interested in political and social commentary.  There is a bravura scene involving a debate among villagers about whether to collectivize the land.  Most of the villagers are played by actual villagers.  The scene, as with most of the movie, is done without subtitles.  The movie was critically acclaimed and was awarded the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival.

TRIVIA:  wikipedia

1.  The story is similar to George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia.  Orwell participated in the civil war as part of POUM.

2.  POUM stands for the Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification.  They were fans of Trotsky, although he was not fans of them.

Belle and Blade  =  N/A

Brassey’s              =  4

Video Hound       =  3.8

War Movies         =  N/A

Military History  =  not on list

Channel 4             =  80

Film Site                =  no

101 War Movies  =  yes

OPINION:  “Land and Freedom” is one of the better Spanish Civil War movies, but it requires the viewer to be at the top of their game.  The effort is worth it because Loach is a good director and he gets across the messiness and confusion of a civil war.  I do not think it belongs among the 100 greatest war films, but it deserves a viewing, especially if you are not familiar with the war.