This enjoyable film concerns last executions of the Franco regime and occurred on September 27, 1975 in the Spanish cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Burgos, being executed by shooting five people , three militants FRAP, José Humberto Baena, José Luis Sánchez and Ramón García Sanz Bravo and two militants of ETA political-military . This acceptable picture deals with a lawyer (Juan Echanove), he travels by train when meets a previous military prosecutor (Juan Diego) . Then there takes place several flashbacks recounting the past story in which both of them participated in a decision of peace or war . Many years ago , a young advocate in law (Echanove) receives a special visit , a woman (Carmen Conesa) asks for help her brother (Gabino Diego) is imprisoned and to need to defend him , he is accused along with other accomplices for killing a sergeant .
This is a good drama based on historical events about the Franquismo's last executions . Exciting and thought-provoking tale plenty of brooding drama , emotion , a peculiar love story and a strong antagonism between a rigid court , a relentless prosecutor and a humble advocate . The film is developed by means of flashback technique in which fifteen years after a casual meeting by train between a lawyer and a military ex-attorney , as the plot transports us to the 70s , as they recall the intense days of 1975 when happened thunderous deeds . As the movie is told in continuous flashbacks of the protagonists and their relationships among themselves . The thoughtful flick is pretty well , narrating efficiently the obstinate defense carried out by a young solicitor and his fight to try innocence his client . At the same time there are brought to life the hard ¨seventies¨ , a time in which took place strikes , manifestations , fights against Guardia Civil (Grises) and many other things . Appropriate screenplay inspired on the novel titled ¨El Año Murió Franco¨ by famous journalist Pedro J. Ramírez . Actors interpretations are frankly well , as Juan Echanove as a stubborn advocate , Juan Diego as merciless military attorney , Gabino Diego as desperado convict and Carmen Conesa as her good sister . Very nice support cast such as Juan José Otegui as General , Juan Diego as prosecutor , Francisco Casares as Court President , Joaquín Climent as Judge and special mention to Fernando Guillén Cuervo . Evocative cinematography by Fernando Arribas , but a correct remastering is required because the copy of the film is worn ; being filmed on location in Torrelaguna , Alcala De Henares , Collado Villalba , Madrid . Atmospheric musical score by Alejandro Masso and singer Rosa Leon sings unforgettable songs such as ¨Mi Querida España , Esta España Nuestra¨ and ¨Gracias a La Vida¨. The motion picture was professionally directed by Jose Luis Garcia Sánchez . He was born (1941) in Salamanca, Castilla y León, Spain, he is a notorious writer and director, known for writing : Belle Epoque (1992), and filmmaking : Las Truchas (1978) , Divinas Palabras (1985) , La Corte De Faraón (1985) , Suspiros De España (1995) and Lazaro De Tormes (2001) , among others .
The picture was well based on historical facts , these are the followings : In Hoyo De Manzanares (Madrid , 1975) were executed : José Luis Sánchez Bravo, at 22 years old, Ramón García Sanz, 27 years , and José Humberto Baena Alonso, 24 , members of Frente Revolucionario Antifascista y Patriota (FRAP). When Friday 26 September, the Council of Ministers unanimously and following the guidelines of Francisco Franco approves the execution of five of the eleven condemned to death a huge shock occurs. There were 3 FRAP members and two ETA members . The Spanish newspaper headlines proclaimed the generosity of the regime for having pardoned six convicted once . There was entitled clemency press folded to the slogans of the regime without a dissonant word is heard. In the Basque Country was decreed a general strike in the state of emergency which was followed mainly by the different Spanish cities strikes and protests multiplied and worldwide outcry against the executions . Mexican President asks the expulsion from Spain in the United Nations and 12 countries withdraw their ambassadors in Madrid. The Spanish embassies in several cities are attacked by protesters burning the Lisbon embassy. The regime's response is the call for a demonstration of accession Madrid's Plaza de Oriente, demonstration where Francisco Franco, physically weakened, accompanied by the then Prince of Asturias Juan Carlos de Borbón achieves a certain glory . These executions, the last of the Franco dictatorship, shortly before the death of General Francisco Franco, rose a wave of protests and condemnations against the government of Spain, within and outside the country, both official and popular levels. They were the last death sentences. The death penalty was abolished in Spain by Article 15 of the Constitution of 1978
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