The Spanish Earth

Released Aug 20, 1937

52m

Documentary

List

80%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

42%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

A chronicle of the longtime Loyalist struggle against the scourge of fascism.

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New York Times

Its technique is that of the film document, but Hemingway's narrative makes it a definitely propagandist effort.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 25, 2006

Full Review

Pat Graham

Chicago Reader

The film develops parallel connections between farmers creating an irrigation system and civilian defenders of the besieged Spanish republic.

Jan 1, 2000

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Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

...aside from its direct emotional appeal to Spanish government sympathizers, a truly notable work in this suddenly flourishing branch of the cinema.

Apr 17, 2020

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Donald J. Levit

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

A lion's share of the fault lies in the narration, the kind of one-sided screen advocacy journalism that has resurfaced in contemporary non-fictions and based-ons.

Mar 8, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Serves as both a look at the humanity of the Loyalist followers and as an historical footnote to a significant time in the modern history of Spain.

Rated: B

Jul 31, 2007

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Audience Member

A must see for historians and those who appreciate the nation of Spain, but otherwise a loose collection of insights into weekend warriors who must fight for several weeks at a time.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Its technique is that of the film document, but Hemingway's narrative makes it a definitely propagandist effort.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Very short (only 53 minutes) documentary, narrated by Ernest Hemingway, on the Spanish Civil War during the 1930's. Mainly, this small collection of footage shows the battle scenes and people suffering through the events of this violent conflict. It just doesn't however have the same greatness as other documentaries (such as "The Sorrow and the Pity"). In fact, Hemingway's narration becomes annoying after a few minutes. Interviews with people who were directly affected by the conflict would have improved the film significantly, by both quality and age. I give it credit however for the battle scene footage.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT8q6VAyTi8

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

Well-directed with great narration by Ernest Hemingway. Blatantly propagandist, but still well-made.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

I got an A for my essay on this film. It is interesting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Joris Ivens

Director

Ernest Hemingway

Narrator

Orson Welles

Narrator

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Synopsis

A chronicle of the longtime Loyalist struggle against the scourge of fascism.

Director: Joris Ivens
Production Co: Contemporary Historians Inc.
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 20, 1937, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 52m

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