The Spanish Earth (Joris Ivens) 1937

The Spanish Earth is a unique propaganda documentary film made in favor of the Republicans (Communists, Socialists and Anarchists) It's aim was to dramatize the effect of the Fascist uprising and invasion on the ordinary citizen. It shows the struggle to keep the road to Madrid open and to protect the bridge outside Madrid from destruction. Included are scenes of German and Italian planes bombing Madrid, and Spanish farmers constructing an irrigation system under seemingly impossible circumstances of war. Three of the leading intellectuals of the 30s - Lillian Hellman, John Dos Passos and Archibald MacLeish - collaborated on what was obviously a labor of love. Ernest Hemingway was a consultant on the shooting script, and was present on location. Hemingway's remarkable commentary is the author's only screen writing, and his reading of it is his only film performance. Narrated by Ernest Hemingway, Directed by the famous Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens. USA/Netherlands, 1937, B&W, 60 minutes, English Narration.


NTSC Region 0 encoding (Entire World)

DVD