The Spanish Earth(1937)
The Spanish Earth Synopsis
Joris Ivens’s advocacy documentary for the Republican cause intercuts a besieged Madrid with a nearby village digging an irrigation canal, linking the war to bread, land, and survival. Produced by the writers’ collective Contemporary Historians, edited by Helen van Dongen, scored by Marc Blitzstein, and narrated in its U.S. version by Ernest Hemingway (after an initial Orson Welles track), it blends frontline reportage with persuasion against Franco’s forces and their German–Italian backers.
The Spanish Earth (1937) is a documentary film directed by Joris Ivens, released on July 10, 1937 with a runtime of 53m. It stars Manuel Azaña, José Díaz, Dolores Ibárruri and Enrique Lister. Viewers rate it 6.7 out of 10 across 22 ratings.
- Director:
- Joris Ivens
- Writers:
- Prudencio de Pereda, John Dos Passos, Joris Ivens
- Cinematographer:
- John Fernhout
- Production:
- Contemporary Historians Inc.
- Status:
- Released
The Spanish Earth Cast & Crew
Main cast
- Manuel Azaña
Manuel Azaña
as Himself (President of Spain)
- José Díaz
José Díaz
as Himself (Parliamentarian)
Dolores Ibárruri
as Herself
- Enrique Lister
Enrique Lister
as Himself (Republican Army)
- Commander Martinez de Aragón
Commander Martinez de Aragón
as Himself (Republican Army)
- Gustav Regler
Gustav Regler
as Himself (German writer)
Orson Welles
as Narrator (voice)
Ernest Hemingway
as Narrator (voice)
Jean Renoir
as Narrator (voice)
Key crew
Directed by Joris Ivens, written by Prudencio de Pereda, John Dos Passos and Joris Ivens.
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The Spanish Earth Reviews & Ratings
Average viewer score of 6.7/10 from 22 ratings.
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The Spanish Earth – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Spanish Earth online?
+
The Spanish Earth (1937) is currently available to rent or buy from Amazon Video. No subscription streaming option is listed right now, so availability may change.
Who stars in The Spanish Earth?
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The main cast of The Spanish Earth (1937) includes Manuel Azaña, José Díaz, Dolores Ibárruri, Enrique Lister and Commander Martinez de Aragón. The film was directed by Joris Ivens. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
When was The Spanish Earth released?
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The Spanish Earth was released on July 10, 1937 and runs for 53m.
Is The Spanish Earth worth watching?
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The Spanish Earth (1937) holds an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from 22 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy documentary films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.