

Salamanca, Spain, 1936. In the early days of the military rebellion that began the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), writer Miguel de Unamuno supports the uprising in the hope that the prevailing political chaos will end. But when the confrontation becomes bloody, Unamuno must question his initial position.
Acting
Elejalde's trembling transformation from smug to shattered
Direction
Amenábar builds dread through polite academic rooms
Writing
That final speech — historically verbatim, devastating

Director
Alejandro Amenábar
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The climactic confrontation at Salamanca University actually happened on October 12, 1936 — and Millán-Astray really did scream '¡Muera la inteligencia!'
Amenábar fought Spain's right-wing to premiere this during Franco's exhumation controversy; the film became suddenly, uncomfortably current.