Uncovering History

THE SPANISH CONSIDER the members of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade heroes, whereas many Americans have no idea who they are or what they represent. The Good Fight reveals the personal side of their story, triumphantly bringing to life an important piece of history that was left out of the textbooks. When some Harvard alumni found out about the locally produced documentary, they arranged for two previews to be shown at Gutman Library for educators as well as the press.

This movie tells how 3200 Americans defied the mood that swept the United States after World War 1. Both the American and European governments ignored the Spanish Republic's plea for aid even though the newly born democracy was being challenged by the fascist front. Francisco Franco, backed with military support from Hitler and Mussolini, struggled to defeat the Spanish peasants as they fought to save their democracy. During the Spanish Civil War Hitler had his chance to test his newly created weapons and for the first time in history, civilian dwellings were bombed. In his painting filled with twisted images, "Guernica," Pablo Picasso captures the anguish and the terror of the civilian bombings.

Also for the first time in history, the U.S. government refused to aid another democracy. Nevertheless, many Americans donated money, clothing and health care to the Spanish Civil War. Harvard University as well sent ambulances to Spain. The Lincoln Brigade, of both men and women, courageously donated their lives. They joined 40,000 volunteers who came from all over the world to fight fascism. At the risk of losing their citizenship they crossed the Pyrenees by foot. Their daringness, their bravery, and their philanthropy, have been forgotten.

In The Good Fight even members of the Lincoln Brigade, now 75 to 85 years old, tell of the triumph and trauma of fighting in the Spanish Civil War. They tell why they went to Spain and what they lost or gained from the experience. One nurse, Salaria K. O'Reilly explains why she left safety in America to fight the fascists in Spain. "It's my world too. I'm not going to sit back and let people do what they want. Not when it's wrong."

The Good Fight also tells of the disdain that the members of the Lincoln Brigade faced when they returned to the United States. Even though some members of the Brigade were communists and others were not politically minded at all, all were blacklisted during the McCarthy era.

The documentary presents their story in a brilliant interplay of present day portraits and past historical scenes. It weaves an emotion filled story of magnanimity which instills admiration for the Brigade's valiant element of humanity. Producer Noel Buckner describes the movie this way. "It is not only about history. It asks how do people make choices and how does it make a difference in their lives."

The Good Fight, however, does not explain why the story of the Lincoln Brigade has remained untold for so long. Perhaps there are still repercussions from the McCarthy era, or maybe the fact that Russia sent military aid to the Spanish democracy has embarrassed the U.S. in any case, The Good Fight transforms the story of the Lincoln Brigade from a missing piece of history to a proud retelling of comradeship that will never be forgotten.