Libertarias (1996)

Spain, July 19, 1936. The War has just begun and women as always play their part in this human tragedy. Maria, an innocent young nun, is forced to leave the convent after the arrival of the revolutionary troops in Barcelona. She takes refuge in a brothel, where she meets a group of "Libertarias", who are being "drafted" for the "Free Women" organization under the leadership of Pilar (Ana Belen) a pure feminist warrior, passionate and fiery. Alongside, Charo (Loles Leon) the hooker with the heart of gold and Floren (Victoria Abril) a spiritualist, Maria joins in. Within the brutal realities of war, Maria experiences love with an unexpected character and companionship through those she is fighting with. Libertarias is an epic of six women fight for freedom, their struggle for justice amid their passionate cry for a better world. One of Spain’s best known directors, Vicente Aranda, Winner at the Tokyo International Film Festival, has made 17 previous films including the internationally acclaimed "Amantes".

Radical women of the Spanish Revolution

June 1936. The military uprising has been fought back by the anarchist FAI and other leftist groups. In the middle of this ongoing revolution are the women, who don't just have to fight the fascists but also their fellow radicals who think that womens place are not in the front line but behind the stove.

The story circulates around a nun, Maria, who joins a band of working women and former prostitutes to fight the fascists. Not really belonging there she experience the initial welcome of the promised future, but also the cruel reality of war.

Good actors and an interesting script makes this a good movie, but for those who wish to understand more of the radicals visions and ideas will fall short. But still a movie I recommend. July 2, 2008

Question about the weaponds used

I love this movie. Did any one esl notest that when the acters talked about the submachine guns that they call them tommy gunns but they are not tommy guns. I am some what of an arms historian from the Spanish Civil War.May be they thought that no one would notace.Aother rise it is as good as Land and Freedom.

Long Live the Workers March 25, 2008

Excellent film!

Libertarias is excellent film. I thought the story about these women and their struggles was interesting. Their struggle was unique, because they were not only fighting against fascism but sexism as well.

The cinematography and music throughout the film was awsome too. I like how it was in black and white in the beginning of the movie.

December 19, 2007

Great movie

Great movie for true lefties and Anarchists and history buffs. Pretty accurate, its rare in the states to see a history of the Spanish Revolution from the point of veiw of the Anarchist struggle. The film is also told from the point of view of members of Mujeres Libres (Free Women), a women's Anarchist collective whos membership numbered in the tens of thousands at it's hight. However the film isn't all politics and has a bit of humor in it as well that makes the film an enjoyable yet educational journey into an unknown history (at least here in north america). The film is well made and acted although the DVD itself is a bit on the low end. It is in 4:3 aspect ratio only and seems like a low quality transfer but the material is rare so that can be forgiven. May 12, 2007

Good film bad Venevision rip-off

I agree with most of the comments and reviews here except for the quality of the dvd. It is a mediocre reproduction of the original European PAL version. As I pointed out in other reviews, Venevision is putting out there some so-so quality films from Spain. Get the original since they tend to edit the films for content and/or rating. I kid you not. I own the original version and saw the Venevision version. Examples of these and other mediocre quality reproductions of them can be found in El Palo, with Carmen Maura and La Celestina with Penelope Cruz. They are mediocre copies transfered to dvd,and they will look horrible on your big plasma tv, and I am not going to talk about the sound.

About the film. It has all been said and more than so by previous reviewers. The actors gathered in the film are highly respected and they are working for one of Spain's most respected and sometimes controversial director, Vicente Aranda (Carmen with Paz Vega and Leonardo Sbaraglia). You have probably seen these female actors in such films as Y tu mama tambien, Tacones lejanos (High Heels), Soldados de Salamina, etc. The original Pal version is rated between an R and a NC 17 (US similar rating) because of it's violent content. If you want a femenine or pro-womyn perspective of the Spanish Civil War, this is a "what if" film based on the role of womyn in the Spanish Civil War from an active military role, as their Mexican counterparts during the Mexican Revolution. November 30, 2006

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