Behind the Spanish Lines

Activities behind the Republican lines during the Spanish Civil War, showing the continuing government of Spain at a monastery in Monsserat (including film of Azaña, Companys, Alvarez del Vayo, Miaja, La Pasionaria and others); former prime minister Manuel Portela Valladares speaks in English to camera, stating that Spain is a democracy; the 'Guerillas of the Theatre' performing a play against slackness; the evidence and effects of bombing (including British ships in Spanish ports); extracts from interviews with captured German and Italian pilots (Rudolf Ruecker and Gino Poggi); the voice of prime minister Negrín, La Pasionaira speaking, and Republican pilots including Negrín's son. Note: The Progressive Film Institute unit sent out in 1938 was headed by Thorold Dickinson and Sidney Cole. This film is largely the work of Sidney Cole and a companion piece to SPANISH A.B.C. (see below). The interviews with Ruecker and Poggi appear in full in PRISONERS PROVE INTERVENTION IN SPAIN (1938, see below).

Availability

• A 35mm print of this title is available to hire
• The print of this title is from the National Archive

Cast and Crew

Director

Thorold Dickinson

Editor

Sidney Cole

Cinematographer

Arthur Graham, Alan Lawson

Production Company

Progressive Film Institute

Technical information

Country

UK

Year

1938

Black and white

No soundtrack

Running time

20 mins

Length

1802