Fifth Column: Land of Spain

Author: Hemingway
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The play The Fifth Column is set against the backdrop of the Battle of Madrid. At that time, a Spanish rebel general claimed that four columns were surrounding Madrid, while a group of sympathizers within the city were to cooperate with the troops in a joint operation, which he called the Fifth Column. The protagonist, an American journalist, assists the Spanish government forces in counterintelligence work, infiltrates enemy reconnaissance posts, and apprehends spies for arrest. His girlfriend is a somewhat cynical American university student who comes to Spain to report on the war. The play also features a German anti-fascist fighter, the leader of the Spanish government's security agency, and a black prostitute, among others, who stage a series of vivid dramas at the Florida Hotel. Spanish Earth is a documentary shot on location by the Dutch director Julien Duvivier and Hemingway in collaboration, with Hemingway writing the narration and voicing it himself. Together with The Fifth Column, it stands as a remarkable contribution by Hemingway to the anti-fascist struggle.