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105 of 111 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Betrayal of the Spanish Civil War,
By Eilidh (An Aberdonian in London) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Land And Freedom [1995] [DVD] (DVD)
Ken Loach's film Land and Freedom is a moving portrayal of a small POUM (United Marxist Worker's Party) militia fighting in the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s. Its protagonist, David, travels from Liverpool to join in the fight against Fascism. He falls for a militiawoman, and finds that the Communist ideals he stands for are false. Loach does a superb job of showing an almost forgotton faction of the fight against Franco. The POUM were denounced as traitors by the main (Russian controlled) Communist Party, and forced to disband, their leaders arrested. The film has been criticised for its narrow focus on the small militia, but that is what makes it so wonderful - it is possible to engage with the characters and feel what they feel. We may see little of the Anarchists or the Communist Popular Army, or even of the enemy Nationalists, but we understand what the war is about. Loach wanted to show how the Communists betrayed the ideals of the Left in the Spanish Civil War. They said the war must be won before revolution can happen. Understandably, David, a proud member of the Communist Party in the UK, refuses to believe that they could want anything other than revolution - isn't that what Communism is all about? He soon comes to realise, that with Stalin in control of the Spanish Communists and ultimately the whole Spanish Left, there will never be a revolution: Stalin is too interested in forging ties with the West to embarrass himself with a social revolution. This film is incredible. Some understanding of the Spanish Civil War and its many complicated parties and militias would help, but even so it is enjoyable and very moving. Anyone who has read George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" should watch this. David is much more idealistic and naive than Orwell, but it is the same fight on the same side, with the same pain at defeat. I would recommend this film to anyone, it is wonderfully filmed, with an international cast, not even all professional actors. The story is framed by episodes in present day England, following David's death. As his grand-daughter finds his old letters and newspaper cuttings, we see that although there is a difference of sixty years, the fight of the Spanish Civil War is still going on everywhere, it is still relevant.
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unforgettable insight into the Spanish Civil War,
By
This review is from: Land and Freedom [VHS] [1995] (VHS Tape)
This outstanding film offers a fascinatoing insight into the Spanish Civil war through the eyes of a young British volunteer, memorably portrayed by Ian Hart. Following his death in present-day Britain, his grand-daughter sorts through an old suitcase containing the mementos of his time in war-torn Spain, providing the framework for the story. Brilliantly directed by Ken Loach, the film is a poignant evocation of that same mix of beauty and ugliness, love and tragedy that other writers on Spain have portrayed, and which all those who have, in different ways, been captivated by that coutnry will instantly recognise. The use of loosely-scripted dialogue to add spontaneity and immediacy is particularly effective. Altogether an unforgettable experience.
28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loach's version of Orwell's "A Homage to Catalonia"?,
This review is from: Land and Freedom [VHS] [1995] (VHS Tape)
This is indeed an excellent film. Ken Loach's characteristic combination of gritty subject matter handled with great sensitivity gives the film a great poignancy. It is particularly fascinating for its treatment of the young hero's struggles with idealism and disillusionment. I couldn't watch this film without thinking of George Orwell's "A Homage to Catalonia" (his account of his experiences of fighting in the Spanish Civil War). The similarities between Orwell's book and Loach's film are too numerous and significant to be co-incidence; I'm sure Loach acknowledges this somewhere, but I saw the film some time ago and don't yet own a copy. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in Loach, Orwell, the ideology of Socialism, the fight against Fascism, and overall memorable, thought provoking films!
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