User Reviews

Wartime drama about political idealism centered on a group of revolutionary women perfectly played by a Spanish all-star-cast . Barcelona , at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the nun Maria (Ariadna Gil of Pan's labyrinth) is forced to escape her convent. She takes refuge in a brothel (Angeles Martin , Loles Leon, Maria Pujalte , Isabel Ruiz De la Prada , among others) run by a Madame (Claudia Gravy) , until it is liberated by a woman (Ana Belen) accompanied by his anarchist group (Laura Maña , Blanca Apilanez) . Maria joins the group and unites the Republican troops against the General Franco army ; later on , she eventually goes to the front of Aragon . The women's group takes on the problems of battling not only the nationalists, but also factions on the left seeking to impose a more traditional military structure . Then occurs confrontation between FAI, CNT , AIT , anarchists followers of the leader Durruti (who gave name to the Column Durruti , here well played by Hector Colome), regular troops of the Republican government, Stalinists and Troskists.

This interesting historical story is a passionate retelling and a touching warlike drama . The film originated an intense discussion in Spain about its principal theme , the Spanish Civil War . ¨Libertarias¨ results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with dramatic deeds regarding the Civil War background . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to our cinema . "Libertarias¨, adapted by the same director from a story by Román Gubern and José Luis Guarner whom is dedicated the movie . Vicente Aranda also writes the script and being filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement .The main problem has to face "Libertarias", beyond not being able to avoid falling into the politic pamphlet is precisely derived from the coldness of its staging, which eventually become monotonous over two hours and some of footage . This is a Spanish big budget production and obtained much success in the box-office . Excellent female cast forming a powerful human group of women and giving excellent interpretations . Very good support cast playing revolutionary women and men such as Blanca Apilánez as Aura , Laura Mañá as Concha , Loles León as Charo , Jorge Sanz as Obrero Hijo , José Sancho as Obrero padre , Antonio Iranzo , Antonio Dechent, Enrique Villen , among others . Perceptible , sensitive as well as evocative musical score by Jose Nieto . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Jose Luis Alcaine , Pedro Almodovar's usual, he carries out a photography with juicy atmosphere , being filmed in Madrid, and Vic, Barcelona, Catalonia . Jose Luis Alcaine is deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameraman with a long artistic career .Furthermore , a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence, every space .

The motion picture was lavishly produced by the great producer Andres Vicente Gomez , being well directed by veteran filmmaker Vicente Aranda . He directed a series of award-winning movies firmly establishing him as one of the best Spanish filmmakers . Vicente is an expert on literary adaptations , he has been working from the 60s with ¨Fata Morgana¨ , Las Crueles¨ and ¨Novia Ensangrentada¨ . His greatest successes were intense dramas with plenty of sex such as ¨Amantes¨, ¨Pasion Turca¨ , ¨Si Dicen que Cai¨ , ¨Intruso¨ , ¨Tiempo de Silencio¨ , ¨Carmen¨ , and specially the historical story titled ¨Juana La Loca¨.

It's the outset of the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. Anarchy and confusion broke in those first days of the conflict that was to change Spain and scar it forever. The divisions between the communist and fascists are at center stage in this tale which is seen from the feminist viewpoint, since it concentrates on a group of women who are prepared to die for their cause.

Vicente Aranda's epic about the Spanish conflict serves to clarify what triggered it. On the one hand were Franco and his followers, and on the other, the revolutionaries who dreamed about a better society and a more equal one in which all its citizens had a role. Alas, it was only short lived, as history tells us. Utopia, after all, is just that, a dream, at best.

Maria, the nun, quickly understands how little the convent life has helped her to face the hard facts she must face alone. Befriended by the revolutionary women force that is trying to make women aware of the new reality in the country, she learns quickly how wrong she has been, and even though she never takes a rifle to defend the women's cause, she is sympathetic to the women's plight. By the way, even the revolutionary leaders didn't particularly appreciate the contribution of the women and wanted them doing other jobs, but not at the front, fighting alongside them.

Ariadna Gil does a good job as Maria. Ana Belen is intense as Pilar. Victoria Abril plays Floren, the medium that channels a man who tried to kill a royal couple earlier in the century, in a hilarious scene. Juan Sancho, Loles Leon, Jorge Sanz, and Miguel Bose are some of the faces in the large cast.

The film shows an aspect of the Spanish Civil War not shown often and it helps to put in perspective the causes of the conflict.

As social commentary, Libertarias succeeds incredibly well. Despite the ignorant reviews written by some critics complaining that "90's politics ruin war drama," it is clear to any student of the Spanish conflict that the politics displayed are those of the 1930's. The film roundly criticizes the absurd hypocrisy of the Catholic Spain that Franco and his fascists were defending, illustrated perfectly by a scene in which the nun Maria is forced into bed with a bishop in a brothel - women are expected to be both whores and chaste nuns simultaneously.

As an encapsulation of Spanish (and international) anarchism it also succeeds - the film is peppered with quotes from Bakunin and Kropotkin, Buenaventura Durruti is portrayed as a character (giving his famous "new worlds in our hearts" speech) and the film even goes so far as to portray the ghost of Mateo Morral, an actual historical figure, who in 1906 attempted to assassinate the Spanish royal couple. Unlike Land and Freedom, Libertarias portrays the Spanish Revolution more than the Civil War, showing the Confederacion Nacional del Trabajo and Federacion Anarquista de Iberica (CNT-FAI) at their height, in 1936 after having liberated Barcelona from the fascists. This film does an excellent job of correcting many of the slanders launched against anarchism, and of unearthing one of the most important events of the 30's, the Spanish Revolution. For anarchists, this film is a superb vindication that finally shows the movement at its most powerful.

This film, an impressive epic about the Spanish Civil War, focuses on the roles of women in the conflict. Thus, the title which translates to "Female Libertarians." This is probably the definitive film on the subject, with all its flaws. Some critics may see the film as "overkill" since it features extreme examples of female suffering, as well as extreme characterizations of the female center and left-wing fighters in the war. The characters include bourgeois women, working class girls, anarchists, and even a nun. The cast is a who's who of female actresses of Spanish Cinema in the 90's. But, considering the horrors and excesses of the war itself, whether the film can be excessive at all, is an open question. Very worth-while watching, and a must for those who follow Spanish Cinema or 20th century History.

This movie tells the story of the last battle that has been fought with hopes of forming a Utopian society... a libertarian communist society based on anarchy. Everyone is equal. Everyone is a soldier. There are no rankings, everyone fights as an equal. Even men and women are seen as equals. In times when we are beginning to see the failings of a capitalist society, this movie is an inspiration to show that it is possible to form a collective society in which everyone is free and equal. It makes you contemplate the argument of are you really free in a democratic society? This movie takes a particularly feminist perspective, following the association of free women, a branch of the revolution in which the women were just as devoted to the cause as the men, and expect to be treated equal, even if it means they will fight and die. This movie should be an inspiration to us all as it becomes obvious that a liberal capitalist life is unsustainable..it is a must see, especially if you enjoy political movies. 8.5 out of 10.

**If you like this movie check out Salt of the Earth, about the strikes at the zincs mines in new Mexico by Mexican workers...also a must see!**

The best docu drama I have ever seen. Everything was spot on. I have studied this period in detail and it does not disappoint. Only saw it with French subtitles but no problem for me. Why isn't there one with English titles? That is absurd as English speakers need educating

I was at home attempting to plan a lecture for students. I was attempting to explain the Enlightenment, humanism and anti humanism. I particularly wanted to make an emphasis on how 'progressive' post structural and postmodern thinking has fragmented working class struggle into dozens of small micro struggles. The essence of this framework is that whilst genuine attempts are being made to create a new collective social order and a new common sense some left wing intellectuals impose their 'progressive' credentials to position themselves as the vanguard of change. Whilst the 'progressives' are engaged in a never ending but fragmented debate over the divine right over which fragment of the intelligentsia will lead the struggle the conservatives are able to organize and win the day.

Whilst attempting to put this lecture together Libertarias appeared on my television set. It was in Spanish with English sub-titles. I couldn't believe my luck as it explained. Marxism, Socialism, Anarchy, Feminism, Fascism, Conservative, Progressive, Humanism, Anti-Humanism, Religion, the Monarchy. I have to confess that my lecture eventually comprised of playing the movie Libertarias to students.

The outcome was very impressive. It explained the conflicts and contradictions associated with any social struggle.

Years later I was to visit Spain and as I travel-led through Barcelona. Madrid and Toledo the movie took on a new meaning. Perhaps this is a flawed performance; perhaps it focuses too much on the struggle of women. What it does more than anything else is leave a never-ending impression of the sacrifices we have to make in order to bring about change.

When Maria, the former nun, agrees to go to the front with the anarachist batallion, she does it more out of loyalty to the militiawoman, Pilar, who befriended her. When their camp comes under fire from the Fascists on the other side of the valley, they all dive for the trenches. Maria alone runs out, but she doesn't grab the machine guns left behind -- she carries the pot of stew to feed them. When she goes to the top of the trenches, it is a megaphone she lifts - not a rifle. Her words to the Fascists are "In the name of God, lay down your rifles". (At that point, the intellectual militiaman mumbles, "They'll think it's one of theirs"). At the killing of a bishop by an anarchist execution squad, which she witnesses, she says, "Killing is a sin." She says the same thing when a lamb is about to be slaughtered to feed the group. (This is more symbolism -- a la agnus deo - than vegetarianism.) Her role however, is more than a simple stretcher-bearer or noncombatant at the front. She really does argue against killing. No one else speaks up for this viewpoint - everyone seems resigned to violent conflict as a means of settling what society they will have, fascists, anarchists, communists, democrats and all.

What do others think?

A tender and cruel film. Paradoxical? No when a real story is told. And the story occurs in Spain during the civil war. For this short summer of anarchy, in the most beautiful of the popular feats of the century, the director conducts an affectionate and anarchical look. He make us to remember that in revolutionary periods, revolutionaries are needed. But does not permit that we forget the monumental inefficiency of anarchism.