The Tree of Guernica
(L'arbre de Guernica)
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Original Theatrical Poster
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| Country
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 France
 Italy
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| Directed by
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Fernando Arrabal
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| Release Date
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1975
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| Language
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French
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| Studio
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Babylone Films
Ci-Le Films
Les Productions Jacques Roitfeld
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The Tree of Guernica (L'arbre de Guernica; also released in English as The Guernica Tree) is a 1975 French-Italian arthouse war drama directed by Fernando Arrabal. The plot is set during the Spanish Civil War in a small town of Villa Ramiro near Guernica. The town and its inhabitants are torn apart by the war: charismatic young woman Vandale becomes a communist leader in the town, the local landowner Count Cerralbo and three of his nephews are on the Francoists side, while his son Goya, a scandalous artist, joins the anarchists, and the pacifistic teacher Antonio Garcia tries to save children from the devastating effect of war. The film is presented in a highly surrealistic manner.
The following weapons were used in the film The Tree of Guernica (L'arbre de Guernica):
Revolvers
Smith & Wesson Military & Police-style Revolver
Several Republicans in Villa Ramiro carry Smith & Wesson Military & Police-style revolvers, very likely Spanish clones of the original M&P. Possibly the same revolvers are seen in the hands of Nationalist officers.
Orbea Revolver 1892 Espagnol - 8x27mm M1892
An officer in charge of the firing squad holds a revolver. It is seen only partially, but what is seen resembles a S&W M&P model.
A revolver is seen in the hands of one of the Republican commanders.
Officer Onesimo (
Franco Ressel), one of the Count Cerralbo's nephews, holds a revolver when the Nationalist troops occupy Villa Ramiro.
The same officer with a revolver in hands is seen in the background.
A revolver is seen at the left in the hands of an officer when the Nationalists capture Goya.
An officer in charge of a military tribunal draws a revolver, ordering the accused Republicans to shut up.
Pistols
Beretta Model 70
When the Nationalist troops occupy Villa Ramiro, Colonel Rafael (Cosimo Cinieri), Count Cerralbo's nephew, holds an anachronistic Beretta Model 70.
Beretta Model 70 - .32 ACP
Rafael holds a Beretta Model 70.
Beretta M1915
One of the Nationalist officers holds a pistol with a typical Beretta open-top slide. The length of the open part of the slide matches the Beretta M1915 rather than later versions.
The officer in a Spanish Army uniform (others are dressed in the blue uniform of the
Falange Espanola) holds a pistol that is appears to be a Beretta 1915.
Another view of the pistol. It is a hammerless gun that also matches M1915.
Submachine Guns
Beretta Model 38A
Anachronistic Beretta Model 38A submachine guns are seen in hands of Nationalist soldiers. It might be standing in for the earlier original Model 38 (although there is no evidence it was ever used in Spain).
Beretta Model 38A - 9x19mm
A soldier with a Beretta 38A on the attack.
The barrel and forend of a Beretta 38A can be seen at the left.
The standard bearer carries a Beretta 38A on a sling.
Officer Ramiro (
Mario Novelli), one of the Count Cerralbo's nephews, holds a Beretta 38A when the Nationalist troops occupy Villa Ramiro.
Thompson M1921 or M1928
A Thompson Submachine Gun of unclear model is seen in hands of a Nationalist soldier. The Thompson is fitted with a foregrip, so the M1921 or M1928 seem to be possible guesses. The M1928 was used in small numbers by Republican forces in Catalonia and by American volunteers.
Colt M1921AC Thompson with 20-round magazine - .45 ACP
A soldier with a Thompson is seen at the left. The SMG appears to have a 30-round stick magazine.
The Thompson is seen at the left.
A soldier with Thompson guards the captured Republicans.
Mock-up Submachine Gun
During the siege of Villa Ramiro, a Republican airplane, piloted by Goya, appears over the positions of the Falange Espanola troops, and a gunner from the back seat fires a submachine gun, successfully destroying the artillery. This SMG turns out to be an acetylene-powered mock-up, styled like a Haenel-Schmeisser MP 28/II or Bergmann MP 35/I. The stock seems to be taken from a Beretta Model 38 while the receiver and the barrel shroud are custom.
The gun lacks any magazine, be it bottom- or side-mounted, but is fitted with a small box under the barrel that is likely the gas balloon.
The stock, resembling that of a Beretta M38, is seen.
Shotguns
Beretta Model 412
The defenders of Villa Ramiro widely use Single Barreled Shotguns. Most, if not all, of them are Beretta Model 412 (also known as FS-1 and "Companion") folding shotguns, identified by the typical opening lever located forward of the trigger guard. This shotgun was produced from 1929 until 1972 in various calibers, from 36 to 12 gauge.
Beretta Model 412 - 28 gauge
More defenders with shotguns and a Mauser rifle.
Republicans brandish shotguns during the demonstration. One of the guns in the center seems to have a front sight but in other respects it looks the same as the other shotguns.
Republicans with shotguns and Mauser rifles.
A close-up of a Beretta 412.
A Republican reloads the shotgun.
Vandale aims her shotgun. She erroneously holds her finger not on the trigger but on the opening lever.
12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun
12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotguns are also widely used by the Republicans. Most if not all of these shotguns have exposed hammers.
Charles Parker 1878 Side by Side Shotgun - 12 gauge
A defender of Villa Ramiro holds a double barreled shotgun.
A young female Republican holds a double barreled shotgun. The bands on the barrels are possibly traces of artisanal repairs.
One of the Republicans brandishes a double barreled shotgun during the demonstration.
Two double barreled shotguns are seen on the barricade at the left and center.
A Republican in center reloads a double barreled shotgun.
A Republican brandishes an open shotgun, greeting the successful attack of a plane on enemy positions.
A Republican at the left reloads his shotgun.
Rifles
Spanish Mauser Model 1893
Full-length Spanish Mauser Model 1893 rifles are the main weapon of the Nationalists troops. They are also sometimes used by the Republicans.
1893 Spanish Mauser - 7x57mm Mauser
A Republican in a steel helmet holds an M1893 full-length rifle.
Another Republican holds an M1893 rifle.
A Nationalist soldier at the right holds an M1893 rifle on his shoulder.
A Republican fires an M1893 rifle.
Nationalist soldiers with M1893 rifles in attack.
The barrel of an M1893 rifle is seen in the background.
Nationalist soldiers break into the town.
Spanish Mauser Model 1943
Both Republicans and Nationalists use anachronistic Spanish Mauser Model 1943 short rifles.
Spanish Mauser M43 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
A pair of M1943 short rifles are seen in the Republicans headquarters.
A Republican in center fires an M1943 rifle.
Two Republicans reload their rifles.
An open bolt is seen in the foreground.
Republicans fire M1943 rifles and a single barreled shotguns.
Republicans watch the attack by the plane on enemy positions. An M1943 rifle is seen at the left.
A Nationalist artilleryman carries an M1943 rifle.
Nationalist soldiers escort a captured Goya. An M1943 rifle is seen at the right.
A soldier with an M1943 rifle guards the military court.
A soldier carries an M1943 rifle. More rifles are seen on the table.
Winchester Model 1873
A Winchester Model 1873 is seen in the hands of one of the Republican commanders. During the street battle, a soldier withy dwarfism holds a Winchester 1873. The rifles seen are likely Uberti replicas as the movie was filmed in Italy. This rifle may be used as a stand-in for the Garate El Tigre, that was really used during the Spanish Civil War.
Uberti replica of a Winchester Model 1873 carbine
A man in a white shirt brandishes a Winchester.
The saddle ring can be seen.
A dwarf holds a Winchester Model 1873. It's most likely the same prop reused.
Machine Guns
ZB-30
Nationalists use ZB-30 machine guns.
ZB-30 (deactivated) - 7.92x57mm Mauser
A machine gun is seen on the positions of the
Falange Espanola troops.
Another view of the same scene.
Two soldiers with machine guns in attack.
A soldier with the machine gun in attack.
A soldier with the machine gun.
Bofors 40mm
Nationalists deploy two Bofors 40mm autocannons while attacking Villa Ramiro. They are used as field guns and when "firing", don't display any recoil.
Bofors 40mm L/60 AA gun in a wheeled trailer mounting - 40x311mmR
The Bofors gun on position.
One more view of the Bofors gun.
A closer view of the barrel.
Artillery
Cannone da 47/32 M35
An Italian 47mm Cannone da 47/32 M35 AT gun is seen in the besieged Villa Ramiro. The Nationalists also use a similar cannon (most likely the same prop reused).
Cannone da 47/32 M35 - 47x195mmR
Women of Villa Ramiro transport the Cannone da 47/32.
Another view of the same scene.
The Cannone da 47/32 of the
Falange Espanola troops.
The gun "fires" with a small amount of fire and smoke and without any recoil.
Ordnance QF 6-pounder Mk IV
One more gun used by the Nationalists troops against Villa Ramiro is an anachronistic British Ordnance QF 6-pounder AT gun. The gun is Mk IV model with L/50 barrel and muzzle brake.
Ordnance QF 6-pounder - 57x441 mm R
The barrel of the 6-pounder gun.
The 6-pounder gun supports the attack of the Nationalists.
Stock footage of the Spanish Civil War is incorporated into the film.
Spanish Mauser Model 1893
Spanish Republicans march with M1893 rifles. The rifle of the man in center looks somewhat strange: while generally looking the same as other M93 rifles, it seems to have a protruding magazine (or maybe it's not a magazine, but a rolled rifle sling).
Artillery
Unidentified field guns on parade.
A 105mm Vickers howitzer is transported on a truck. These artillery pieces were manufactured in Spain under license.
105mm Schneider M1913 field guns. These artillery pieces were used by Republican, Nationalists, and Italian troops.
Armor
Soviet T-26 tanks. These tanks were supplied to the Second Spanish Republic while in the movie, they are used to represent the Nationalist forces.
Airplanes
A Ju 52/3m of the Condor Legion bombs Guernica.
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