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.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Manuel Azaña
Himself (President of Spain)
José Díaz
Himself (Parliamentarian)
Dolores Ibárruri
Herself
Enrique Lister
Himself (Republican Army)
Commander Martinez de Aragón
Himself (Republican Army)
Gustav Regler
Himself (German writer)
Orson Welles
Narrator (voice)
Ernest Hemingway
Narrator (voice)
Jean Renoir
Narrator (voice)
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 10, 1937
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Joris Ivens
- Screenplay & Story
- Prudencio de Pereda, John Dos Passos, Joris Ivens, Archibald Macleish, Lillian Hellman, Ernest Hemingway
- Original Score
- Virgil Thomson
- Original Title
- The Spanish Earth
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Spanish, German
- Runtime
- 53m
- Production Studios
- Contemporary Historians Inc.
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Joris Ivens
Prudencio de Pereda, John Dos Passos, Joris Ivens, Archibald Macleish, Lillian Hellman, Ernest Hemingway
Virgil Thomson
John Fernhout
Helen van Dongen
Department Leadership Roster
Prudencio de Pereda
Writer
John Dos Passos
Writer
Joris Ivens
Writer
Archibald Macleish
Writer
Joris Ivens
Director
Lillian Hellman
Writer
Ernest Hemingway
Writer
Helen van Dongen
Editor
John Fernhout
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Spanish Earth.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Spanish Earth.
War: World War II
Auto-filled from Letterboxd lists
openvista
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Spanish Earth
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Spanish Earth about?
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.
Who directed The Spanish Earth?
The Spanish Earth was directed by Joris Ivens.
Who stars in The Spanish Earth?
The principal cast of The Spanish Earth includes Manuel Azaña, José Díaz, Dolores Ibárruri, Enrique Lister, Commander Martinez de Aragón.
When was The Spanish Earth released and how long is it?
The Spanish Earth was released in 1937 with a total runtime of 53m.
Who composed the musical score for The Spanish Earth?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Spanish Earth was composed by Virgil Thomson.