I think it's very easy to see this movie, and with a limited knowledge of fascism & of Franco, to pass it off as utter crap. However, I don't find it particularly useful to do so. The movie itself has many traits that are over the top. Franco uses the character of José as his hero who, because of his nationalism, is reborn or virtually unharmed when sentenced to death by liberals.
Yes, it can be corny - but Franco, I think, wasn't the most brilliant of men, and was trying to get a point across as best as he could. It isn't difficult to see how José, the fascist & militarist is portrayed, how Marisol and Isabel and her husband (Luis) are portrayed as Spain's heroes, and how the son Pedro is portrayed as a traitor to his country, at first only interested in money but later "saved" by aiding his family.
As a piece that is biased (and what isn't, nowadays) it's a very interesting glimpse into a reaction that was shared by others in a time when Spain was suffering the chaos and the losses of colonies and its position as a world power. Other authors such as Miguel de Unamuno and Ángel Ganivet explored the idea of unifying Spain. For Franco, militarist sentiment, extreme nationalism and a hatred of capitalism (which emphasizes individuality and is dangerous for group unity), were all methods of restoring control, order, and a sense of unity.
If you want to study one of several reactions to a period of instability, Raza provides a clear outlook. However, if you loathe any references to fascism, don't expect to like a movie based on a novel written by Franco.
Yes, it can be corny - but Franco, I think, wasn't the most brilliant of men, and was trying to get a point across as best as he could. It isn't difficult to see how José, the fascist & militarist is portrayed, how Marisol and Isabel and her husband (Luis) are portrayed as Spain's heroes, and how the son Pedro is portrayed as a traitor to his country, at first only interested in money but later "saved" by aiding his family.
As a piece that is biased (and what isn't, nowadays) it's a very interesting glimpse into a reaction that was shared by others in a time when Spain was suffering the chaos and the losses of colonies and its position as a world power. Other authors such as Miguel de Unamuno and Ángel Ganivet explored the idea of unifying Spain. For Franco, militarist sentiment, extreme nationalism and a hatred of capitalism (which emphasizes individuality and is dangerous for group unity), were all methods of restoring control, order, and a sense of unity.
If you want to study one of several reactions to a period of instability, Raza provides a clear outlook. However, if you loathe any references to fascism, don't expect to like a movie based on a novel written by Franco.