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Land and Freedom

Movie Poster

Country	France Germany Italy Spain United Kingdom
Directed by	Ken Loach
Release Date	October 6, 1995
Language	Catalan English Spanish
Studio	ARD Degeto Film British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Canal+ España
Distributor	Artificial Eye Diaphana Films Vídeo Mercury Films

Main Cast
Character	Actor
David Carr	Ian Hart
Blanca	Rosana Pastor
Bernard Goujon	Frédéric Pierrot
Lawrence	Tom Gilroy
Maite	Icíar Bollaín

Land and Freedom is a 1995 drama directed by Ken Loach (The Wind That Shakes The Barley) which is clearly based on the war report Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. In 1936, David Carr, a young unemployed English communist, decided to go to Spain to fight against Franco's fascists. Because he crossed the border into Spain in Catalonia, he met members of the POUM militia by chance in a railroad carriage. So he ends up in Barcelona in the POUM training camp and then joins a company led by Lawrence on the Aragon front. In this company, women, like the enthusiastic Maite, and men fight on equal terms. There are many foreign volunteers. But David quickly realizes that there are no heroes in the war and that idealism falls by the wayside. Even some of his comrades prefer internal power struggles rather than fighting for freedom. Dave finds hope in his great love, Militia member Blanka.

The following weapons were used in the film Land and Freedom:

Pistols

Astra 400

The Astra 400 is used by officers of the Republicans including Juan Vidal (Marc Martínez) and the Nationalists.

Astra 400 - 9x23mm Bergmann / Largo

Vidal brandishes his Astra as a sign to attack the village.

He takes cover before the attack which offers a closer view of the muzzle.

During the attack he fires his Astra at two Nationalists.

An International Brigades officer fires a warning shot.

Rifles

Mauser Model 1916

The 1916 Spanish Mauser is the most used rifle by the main characters including David Carr (Ian Hart), Blanca (Rosana Pastor), and Bernard Goujon (Frédéric Pierrot). Franco's Nationalists and Republican forces like the POUM militia are armed with these rifles as well. Bernard references it as a "Mauser 1896" and it's better to use a big stick instead of these rifles.

Fusil corto Modelo 1916 - 7x57mm Mauser

Juan: "You got the rifles?"
Bernard: "Yes! Antiques, German Mauser 1896. Single load."
Juan Vidal examines a Mauser rifle taken from the weapons delivery.

David aims his Mauser through a hole in sand backs.

During the assault on the village he takes cover.

A close up of the rear sight which is the early 1st-pattern M1916 Lange Visier from the Gewehr 1898.

Maite rests with her rifle during a briefing. The stepped barrel is visible.

David describes the rifle to new recruits.

Mauser Model 1893

Some 1893 Spanish Mauser rifles are used by the Nationalists and Republicans. Police forces in Barcelona also can be seen with these rifles.

Mauser Modelo 1893 - 7x57mm Mauser

Dani carries two full length Mauser rifles captured from a Nationalist patrol.

Full view of the rifles.

A Nationalist fires his Mauser at advancing Republicans.

Mosin Nagant M91/30

Soviet Mosin Nagant M91/30 rifles used by some Militia members.

Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mm R

A Militia member carries a Mosin Nagant on the left.

A member of the International Brigades holds his Mosin next to David.

The Mosin Nagant is held by a Republican.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I

An anachronistic Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I rifle is briefly seen during the assault on the village which may stand in for the No. 1 Mk. III predecessor or a Pattern 1914 Enfield supplied by the British.