Title: Guernica
Genre: Art
Year: 1975
Running Time: 97 minutes
Rating: NR
Technical Notes:

A SPANISH TRAGEDY THAT MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

During the beginning of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), as Franco's Forces moved North towards the Basque provinces, they met unexpectedly fierce resistance from the villages along the way. The peasants of Villa Ramiro were convused and embittered by this distant approaching threat yet they knew there must be a change. Their village was ruled by a Count - entitled from medieval ages - who maintained an ancient feudal life. As dissension spread throughout the country the peasants started to show signs of rebellion and the Count's three pleasure-seeking nephews decide to join Franco's Forces to establish a new order against the incumbent Republican Government. But the Count's bohemian and prodigal son, Goya ( Ron Faber ) is totally unaffected by the situation and refuses to participate in any war. As chaos spreads, he decides to flee for France and leave the lunacy behind.

At the same time, Vandale, ( Mariangela Melato ) a primitive and beautiful outcast - some think of her as a witch - also decides to leave the chaos and head for France. Her decision was prompted by the nephews attempted rape, led by Raphael ( Cosimo Cinieri ) at her remote and fantastically decorated farm. Although she was able to ward off her assailants by using her trained vipers as weapons, she realized her life would no longer be safe nor content in the rapidly changing times.

Independently of each other, both Goya and Vandale are passing through Guernica on their way to France when by chance they meet and recognize a great love for each other. But Guernica's villagers have been defiantly resisting Franco and the Generalisimo answers this challenge by calling in the aid of the Nazi Luftwaffe which annihilates Guernica. Goya and Vandale become separated and lost amidst the flames of devastation.

After experiencing the brutality of Franco's and Hitler's onslaught they each decide separately to stop running away to France, and return to join the opposition. Vandale returns to Villa Ramiro and spirits the peasants to defend themselves - even with farm tools and fists. Her role is symbolically linked to the renowned "La Pasionara." At the same time Goya locates the only plane in the area and prepares to defend Villa Ramiro.

Soon the Fascists have surrounded Villa Ramiro and its pitifully equipped defenders. Franco's troops are led by the three nephews who are disgusted to learn that their old tormentor, Vandale, is leading the defense. As the bombardment of Villa Ramiro is about to begin Goya arrives in his plane and destroys the cannons but is shot down and jailed. The passions of the nephews rise and they charge Villa Ramiro killing many in the attack and executing many others.

Vandale has been captured, and also is to be executed but Raphael is now sure he can rape her in her cell because she is in chains. She tricks him and beats him to death - escaping with his keys. She finds Goya in his cell - brutally tortured - and takes him in her arms - as the Pieta - then escapes with him. With Villa Ramiro captured and Spain conquered, Goya and Vandale flee for survival.