Mourir à Madrid

I saw this film 40 years ago--it was the first I saw that did more than merely entertain. It's a movie for those who ponder larger issues. I recall the contagion to the viewer of the spirit of those fighting for liberty, and the hope for the future, unfortunately only to finish in futility.

As I recall, the opening scene was of a peasant walking a burro along a road--the ending scene was exactly the same, denoting that despite the fervor of many, sometimes nothing much changes in this world. I thought it was genius to depict the futility in this way.

irenerose

All the comments reflect my own experience and feelings. Frédéric Rossif is a cineast who touches both heart and mind by his documentary work, as well as Ken Loach does in his social-political statements. More than the latter's "Land of Freedom" in color, the black-and-white of Mourir à Madrid reveals as much Spain's tragic sufferings of civil war as it pictures an archaic rural world now almost vanished.

The film score by Jarre, which I taped from the movie once shown on TV, is magnificent: it's Spanish guitar themes are still as beautiful and haunting as the ones of "Jeux Interdits". And yes, it's deplorable indeed that it hasn't already been re-edited and remastered on DVD; it can't be that difficult to bring it out and distribute it, seen the rubbish that does nowadays... An idea for Criterion?

First caught this documentary back in the early seventies at an art-house, and beyond my political beliefs at that particular moment, it filled me with sadness. Sorrow for the opportunities lost, for the needless cruelty, for the unnecessary deaths, for the destruction of the hopes of a nation. Nor victors neither vanquished enjoyed nothing but pain, exile, hard work, and tyranny, some of them or all. And, of course, death everywhere.

I do have the DVD, french language with Spanish subtitles. Last night I foolishly decided to watch it again, only to find myself with my soul filled with grief, and on the brink of crying (and I'm 50).

Having had the opportunity to know well the Spanish people, as well as too many an expatriate since '39, I must praise this chef d'oeuvre beyond all criticism. It's simple, it's linear, it's predictable, it's sometimes a little corny, and it's profoundly TRAGIC, as it retells forever the tragedy a a most beautiful country and its bloody self-sacrifice.

40 years later I still remember seeing a movie showing real people fighting for real freedom - in particular a scene where bullets hit a empty hilltop, then rebels run through the same space, then bullets again - the sense that two seconds earlier or later in their actions would have meant real death (not movie death). I feel that we all should see understand what was shared in this film. ALSO - the music of Maurice Jarre was simple and beautiful.

To Die in Madrid,follows a documentary filmed in 1938, released in 1939 The Spanish Earth. Both documentaries chronicle the Spanish Civil War. From Andre Segovia's guitar in the background,to the voices of Irene Worth and Sir John Guilguld, it's wonderful. To Die in Madrid is a testament to the first anti-fascists as the veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade refer to each other. I recommend both documentaries to any one that is interested in the roots of WWII. I am also looking for a copy of To Die in Madrid in VHS format if anyone knows where i could purchase, please contact me through the above e-mail address. Thank you.