"HOPE" "During the Spanish Civil War in 1937, a Republican plane, after an air-fight, comes back to the airfield where volunteers have assembled to fight Fascism." "The right engine's burning!" "The landing-gear!" "Drop the landing-gear!" "What are you doing?" "Hey Rivelli!" "Look what's happening!" "They'd better jump." " What about the wounded?" " How many are there?" "How many left alive?" "Marcelino Rivelli." "17 fights in Spain." "An Italian..." "Ex-airline pilot..." "Left Italy in 1923." "After the death of de Bossis, left Switzerland to throw tracts over Milan." "After a year in hiding, deported to the Lipari Islands." "Escaped to Spain, three days after Franco's uprising, and served as a pilot." "Wounded on the Madrid front." "Political Commissary of his squadron." "Died today on the Teruel front." "To those who have just joined the squadron, I have this to say:" "we loved this man." "What's that?" "The village slate." "They bury our boys in their cemetery and put up this sign." "They all go to the funeral." "An hour after death, the soul can be seen." "Must be an hour by now..." "Are the new planes here?" "We were outnumbered eight to one." "Are our boys still advancing?" "The Ximenes Brigade is waiting for the bridge to be blown up." "If only we had those new gun-sights..." "Escaton, Pinares, Navas and other villages rose up last night." " How far up?" " Up to Linas." "Franco's reinforcements can only come through Saragossa." "Our men will attack after the bridge has been blown up." "But how can we if we're outnumbered eight to one?" "We're glad to see you back." "Hello." "Time this thing was replaced!" "Yes, HQ." "Yes, sir." "You can't go, Munoz." "Too bad we hadn't already gone!" "We haven't enough planes to let them shoot us down as they please." "It's impossible!" "It all depends on the bridge, now." "There are plenty of comrades beyond the bridge." " Even in town?" " Especially in town." " Ours?" " Yes." " They must be near the river." " They're already there." "The message says:" ""The bridge at all costs"." "Everything depends on Linas." "We regained control of the village last night." "Let's hope we keep it!" "We're OK if just the police are watching the bridge." "Otherwise... ls the bridge mined?" "Yes, but if Franco's men make it to Linas... their army will defend the bridge and we'll be in trouble." "There aren't enough of us." "We need trusty comrades." "What do you mean by "trusty"?" "Reliable." "Got many weapons?" "One automatic rifle." "Some dynamite." "More out of town." " And in Linas?" " One moment..." "Gonzalez!" "How many weapons do we have in Linas?" "Two combat rifles." "Some hunting rifles..." "Not much." "A little dynamite." "I taught them how to use it, but they're inexperienced." "Take them the dynamite you have." "Is there another way than through the Old Gate?" "We'd be under enemy fire for 400 meters." "Just this?" "Not even 20 bullets per person." "We'll have more." "Comrades, it's obvious:" "First, we go through the Old Gate." "Impossible to get out any other way." " What about the guards?" " Eliminate them." "Next:" "Once outside, get to the garage." "There are at least 2 cars." "Then, Juan's friends and I will take care of the bridge." "Gonzalez and all the others... will take the dynamite to Linas and do what they can." "Meanwhile, at Linas, a peasant, having spotted Franco's airfield, comes looking for a guide who'll take him through the enemy lines." "POPULAR FRONT COMMITTEE" "You're too stubborn!" "Explain." "I told him already:" ""Mum's the word"." "Well then?" "What do we do with the wounded?" "Take them to my school." "José's right." "We've done enough talking." "For 9 days he watched Franco's airfield being built." "They plan on using the road, too." "He saw the planes arrive..." "You saw them?" "Me, and the others." "Of course!" "That's not the problem." "We heard the Republican soldiers were here... and there's only you." "I've got to cross the lines and join the army." "It's not that easy." "Tell us where the planes are." "We could send some men with you." "At this rate, we'll be busier here..." "One field looks like any other..." "Don't be so sure..." "You have to recognize it and point it out... to the pilots." "I should've left already." "The flock is fleeing Franco's machine-guns." "A dozen loyal comrades will leave with you." "One of you will make it through." "You go and get them." " We'll all go." " Take five." "The others will follow on." "One of us has to make it." "I'll go alone with him." " Got any bikes?" " Just two." "Use them while you can." "The others can walk." "Round up the comrades." " Revolver?" " No thanks." "That's all I need." "You have to hold the pass at any price." "GUT ME" are weary." "Men from the town are coming with guns." "To the Gate!" "You two stay with the wounded." "The rest, to the Gate!" "A cannon!" "Who knows about cannons?" "Varga, didn't you serve in Morocco?" "I don't know how to use them." "How fast can the 75 mm. fire?" "15 shots per minute." "In theory..." "Every 4 seconds." "Suppose we go the other way?" "We must go this way." "The other Way's blocked!" "We need a car." "I saw one in Mostoles Street." "You can drive, come with me." "You lot go round..." "Wait over there and when we're at the cannon, make your move!" " Can you do it?" " Yes." "If you crash into something sideways, you don't necessarily die." "And you miss the cannon." "You don't necessarily die head-on either." "The Republicans find a car outside the town." "They arrive at Linas to help the peasants who are fighting to keep Franco's men off the bridge." "How many rifles?" "200 kilos of dynamite, and our men have reached the river." "How many rifles?" "200 kilos of dynamite, I said!" "What use is that?" "We've nothing to load it in." "We had nothing in Asturias, but we managed." "You've no rifles!" "Us and anyone who has no family will hold the pass as long as we can with our hunting rifles." "That's all we can do." "We need more men for the wounded!" "The stretcher-bearers are tired out." "There are no paths on either side." "We'll have to go on foot." "On the right, the mountain..." "on the left, the ravine." "Does the route go along the hillside?" "Climbing hard?" "Will Franco's men cross there?" "They can't do otherwise." "We ain't doomed yet!" "Nor are the men at the bridge." "Other than you, who do the men respect the most?" "The school-master." "You go with Varga." "The rest of you, search the houses and bring anything we can use to put the dynamite in." "Is there any clay?" "More than rifles." "Varga, don't forget the cooking-pots." "With some clay on, they'll do." " Bring back some clay." " Fermin will." "Two men are to go with the teacher." "The women can carry the things." "The rest of us will load up." "We've got the fuses and primers." "Quiet, everybody!" " It rolls." " Not straight, it doesn't." "That's not strong enough." "OK." "Are there any more?" "Four more." "Get them, and tell everyone to bring what they can." "This is strong." "It's not strong enough." "We need iron." "We can use these." "Want bottles?" "We used bottles in Asturias." "No, we've got something better than that." "We'll add fuses and make grenades." "That's great!" "Fantastic!" "Where do we put the fuses?" "There's a hole already." "Does it roll?" "If we put wheels on!" "Find a wheelbarrow." "What do you want to do with these?" "When it explodes, it's dangerous." "Let's hope they get through to the pilots..." "Armed with these odd containers... the peasants fought Franco's men and kept them from reaching the bridge, their only means of communication with the rear." "Captain, weren't you with Richthofen's squadron?" "22 Allied planes." "That's official." "We need real technicians." "When was the last time you flew?" "1918." "How long do you need to be able to fly again?" "A couple of hours, I reckon." "Have you been working in aviation?" "Lately, I've been working in the mines." "To think, maybe some of them fought against him at Verdun." "He could damn well land on the shooting range!" " Which was your party?" " None." "Always independent!" "What about you, Munoz?" "Socialist?" "Above all, I was a pacifist." "Is that why you fly so low?" " You've got used to the danger?" " Perhaps." "In the Socialist Party, we knew full well the Moors were helping Franco." "And we wondered... what the Arab workers thought." "I came over as soon as I could." "I came because I was bored." "The targets are ready." " It's flying at least." " It's landing." "Civilian planes aren't used in wartime, so we may as well..." " He's wide." " He'll do it again!" "I'm sorry." "I told you I'd need a couple of hours' practice." "I've spent too long in the mines." "My sight's not as good as it was." " We'll see..." " No need." "I refuse to fly again." "Get me into the Militia." "Please..." "Someone who shoots like that is good enough for the Militia." "It's a static target." "Allow me." "This I can still do." "They arrive at the last village held by Franco's men." "They must find out how to cross the lines and reach the Republicans' airfield." "We're going into that café." "What if they ask:" ""Where are you going?"..." "I'm sure the lines aren't far." "We've done nothing." "We'll say:" ""We took the wrong road."" "They won't believe us." "They'll nab us." "What about the planes during this time?" "8 days ago, that café was ours." "It's open." "We've just gone past it." "How will he know us?" "I'll say: "Coffee with brandy."" "He'll answer: "No sugar." "It'll come soon."" "Two cups of coffee." "No sugar." "In that case... coffee with brandy." "Okay." "He didn't say: "it'll come soon."" "He said: "Okay."" "We want a word with you." "Armed?" "A little." "The garden's out back." "Leave that cat alone!" "Where can the lines be crossed?" "The street you came from..." "Who sends you?" "Pablo, in Linas." "At the end of the street, you turn and..." "Thanks for coming." "Don't mention it." "It's not for you or for me." "Where are the planes?" "In the woods." "Down tracks like these." "But further in." "It's a big wood." "What's the airfield like?" "Where they take off, you mean?" " It's not like this one." " Narrower?" "The soldiers are working on it non-stop." "They're making it bigger." "What orientation?" "In the direction of the East Wind." "So the woods are to the west of the field." "Are you sure?" "100% sure." "Remember the direction the wind came from yesterday?" "North." "It felt like rain." "It's the same here." "They'll have trouble taking off." "How many planes?" "I counted six small ones." "Others claim to have seen more." "At least six big ones." "Maybe there's more." "Where did you see them?" "I couldn't tell you." "Take me in your machine and I'll show you." "Just like that!" "Have you ever flown before?" "Won't you be scared?" "Will you recognize the airfield?" "I've lived in the village 28 years." "If you show me the Saragossa road..." "I can show you the airfield." "Go and get some rest." "You'll need it." "Phone the Air Office, the War Office...whatever it takes." "Ask for cars for the night take-off." "We don't have a single headlight." "I hope they do!" "Shut up!" "What about the peasant?" "He knows where Franco's secret airfield is." "So...tonight?" "You are appointed Political Commissary." "I'll announce it at tomorrow's meeting." "Do you know who I am?" "My father is one of the Fascist leaders..." " ...in my country." " I know that." "I accept." "You take the second plane." "We can have a try at night." "Does the peasant really know where the airfield is?" "Maybe." "In this part of the world, there's no room for error." "The airfield is here." "We're here." "That's why they blocked the bridge!" "They can't keep watch at night." "We have to start with the airfield." "At dawn." "If we destroy it, they'll only be able to warn their bases to the south." "We'll be on the bridge before then." "After..." " Captain!" " What?" "There's not a car anywhere!" "The War Office have had 7 requests already." "But for different reasons." "It's crucial." "A surprise bombing of an enemy airfield is stupid if it's not done at night." "And if they attack..." "Let's hope for clouds!" "As for the cars, we'll have to ask the villagers." "Are the two crews ready?" "Only two?" "Come and see, Political Commissary!" "That's the one they're repairing?" "What about the reserve?" "We've been expecting the engines for 6 months." "So tonight, zero fighter-planes?" "No, they won't be back from Madrid." "The main thing is to find some headlights." "Let's go get the cars." "The one we shot down yesterday." "They've improved them." "Look at their machine-gun." "But we still have a chance!" "Hurry UP!" "To take off at night, the two men ask the peasants to lend them cars, so they can light up the airfield with their headlights." "I'm in charge of the airfield." "I need some cars." "We're leaving tonight and I've no lights." "We need car headlights." "And I don't have any cars." "Nor does the War Office." "You do have cars." "3 cars and 2 trucks." "You need 12 cars!" "It's a matter of life and death for our comrades up there." "We can't loan you the cars without our men." "They've already worked 15 hours today." "Our mechanics will drive." "The drivers can sleep in the cars." "When do you want them?" "3 o'clock at the latest." "These cars and a few fires should do the trick." "We'd crash into the orange-trees!" "We'll do what we can." "Three at least, I promise." "And more if possible." "We still have to ensure supplies get through." "See if you can sort it out with the other villages." "Aviation." "I understand your needs, but a promise is a promise, and I can't." "We'll do the best we can, like the others." "3 cars!" "You're the last people we can ask." "We'll do our best." "Let's go, sleepyhead!" "How many cars?" "Five." "Let's hope there'll be more." " Who are they?" " Volunteers." "What for?" " To carry the supplies." " Where are the trucks?" "They're at the airfield to help you out." "And he just puffs away in peace!" "You're back, Captain." " How many cars?" " They're coming." "I told them where to put them." "When the whistle blows, they'll turn on their lights." "We'll all crash into the orange-trees..." "Twelve?" "Very good." "We'll come out at 5 o'clock." "Tell your comrades not to be scared." "We won't crash into them." "Is there no other landmark than Teruel?" "After that, follow the Saragossa road up to the peasant's village." "Beyond Silos." "I hope he recognizes it." "We'll go straight to the bridge." "It'll be daylight." "Too late for them." "We're 400 meters off course." "Presently, we'll be going through clouds." "Land!" "Ours?" "No...theirs." "We must be over Teruel." "There'll be gaps in the clouds." "Make a turn now." "Is that Teruel?" "That's Teruel?" "Does he recognize it?" "There's the Saragossa road!" "Go up again!" "Bearing 274." "Their field must be 20 kms." "from here. 5 minutes." "If we don't find it right away... we'll get caught by their fighters." "The clouds are hiding us." "Looks like Teruel hasn't spotted us yet." "They haven't fired." "What's he up to?" "Doesn't he recognize it?" "If he doesn't spot it, what then?" "Must be around here." " Dive!" " There are mountains!" "Not that way." "Go on." "The clouds are getting lower." "I'm going down to 200 meters." "If there are any mountains, we'll be in trouble." " Do I turn?" " No time." "Follow the road!" "Is that your village?" "There's the Saragossa road." "Where's the landing-field?" "Lower!" "There it is!" "The fighters are coming!" "Open fire on the bunker!" "Ready?" "Ready!" "Climb!" "Our bombs might damage us as they explode." "Altimeter 300?" "300." "Take aim." "Their fighters aren't far now." "And us, with our 1913 machine-guns!" "It's migration time." "Boys, the captain's coming back!" "How about that for a nice piece of work!" "All thanks to our mascot!" "Hey, catch this!" "Too far for the vertical, Pujol." "Turn, for Chrissakes!" "Dive!" "Don't worry, others will be coming." "They're back!" "Put a tourniquet on." "Rear turret, they're coming back!" "They're flying away!" "Our fighters are coming." "We're falling..." "Only one engine left." "Suppose we glide?" "Pujol...are you wounded?" "Climb!" "The mountain!" " Pull up!" " Shut your face!" "The first plane is back at base." "The captain, informed by telephone that a plane has crashed in the hills, goes to rescue his men." "They're not there." "The comrade says they crashed higher up." "In the mountains." "Higher up, there's only Valdelinares." "Shall I call?" "Bullets?" "The man who was here before was one of us." "On July 18th, he phoned Madrid and..." "First of all, they spoke of Mora hospital." "No one at the town hospital." "No one at the school hospital." "Then, Linares." "No one there either." "Now, higher up, in the mountains..." "They called Mora to ask for a doctor for the wounded pilots, so maybe..." "He, too, wants to be a pilot!" "It's one of the pilots." "It's you, Pujol?" "Who's dead?" "Wounded?" "Who's able to walk?" "Yes." "On mules." "Are they taking care of you?" "They're doing their best." "Let me talk to the doctor." "Can you make up some stretchers?" "I'll bring some." "Start going down." "I'll wait for the ambulance." "It'll go as high up as it can." "Take down the dead too." "Aren't the pilots with you?" "No, they're going down the ravine." "Phone them and tell them." "I must stay here." "If I could go, I would." "What use would you be?" " I'm going!" " Me too." "To carry stretchers?" "You can hardly stand!" "I'll do what I can." "You'll have to help." " What can you do for the dead?" " Be grateful to him." "Can you see?" "A little." "I can see you." "Want anything?" "I want her to go to hell with her broth!" "Where's the ambulance?" "It'll take us a good hour to get down." "Got a mirror?" "The one with the face wound mustn't drink." " But I used our last chicken..." " Never mind." "My son's at the front, too." "We're from Val de San Garcia." "What can we do?" "Talk to the doctor." "You mustn't let him drink, even if he asks you to." " So you shot down their plane?" " I'll never have a chance to do it again." "Of course you will." "The ambulance is here." "You and I know that's not true." "With a bullet in the stomach, I've got 3 hours." "Look at the time." "Give me my flying suit." "Ask the doctor for his flying suit." "It's all the same to me..." "I could've fallen ill and died in the mines." "You know... during the fight, they all held up their mascots, like kids." "I looked at them." "Tell them I never had contempt for them." "Please..." "The way I looked at them embarrassed them." "It's not that I despised them... but that I understood I was old." "The suits are at the town-hall." "What do you want?" "Maybe I can get it for you." "A revolver." "I've had my time." "I don't need any longer." "Not till you've seen the doctor." "Not till I've seen the doctor..." "Where are they from?" "One's German, the other's French..." "And that one?" "Spanish." " And that one?" " An Arab." "Subtitling Titra Film Paris"