According to Ken Loach, the debate in the village was the key scene in the film. He had local residents from the village play crowd members in that meeting.
The International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War were foreign volunteers who flocked to the conflict between 1936 and 1939. Thousands fought for the left-wing Republicans, and smaller numbers joined the right-wing Nationalists. Some saw the conflict as a battle between democracy and tyranny, others between Communism and Fascism. So many Americans joined the Republicans they were able to form their own unit, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Different factions of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) fought for both sides. Their enemies the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) sent men and arms to aid the Republicans. George Nathan, one of the International Brigade's greatest heroes, was an ex-Black and Tan who had served in the Irish Troubles of 1919-21 and found himself fighting alongside his former enemies. The Soviet Union provided some military support for the Republicans. Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy sent massive military aid to the Nationalists and dispatched the 'Condor Legion' of German warplanes manned by Luftwaffe crews. Numerous famous figures took part in the conflict, including George Orwell who fought on the Catalonian front, Errol Flynn, who worked as a reporter, and famous spy Kim Philby.
"Si me quieres escribir" (If you want me to write) is the song the POUM militia is singing before battle.
Paul Laverty, who went on to work with Ken Loach as a scriptwriter, played one of the Republican soldiers in the film.
Paul Laverty, who plays a milician in this movie, is the scriptwriter for most Ken Loach movies. He met his wife Iciar Bollain on the set.