22 February, 2009

FRANCISCO FRANCO: A Farewell To Arms


Personal Coat of Arms of Francisco Franco as Head of the Spanish State...





In Full Metal Jacket...






Spanish horror icons during the Francisco Franco years...




Francisco Franco (1892-1975), one of the Fascist dictators who rose to power in Europe before World War II, ruled Spain from 1939 until his death. He introduced technological and economic innovations to Spain, notably excluding some areas from social/political development. An ally of Hitler and Mussolini, who helped him win the Spanish Civil War from Republican forces. Later a key European ally of the US due to his strong anti-Communist stance and opening up Spain to US military bases. In a way his presence was the structuring absence behind the Spanish horror boom (1970-1975).

I sometimes wonder if he ever saw a Jess Franco film.




2 comments:

Keith said...

I've always been fascinated by Francisco Franco. I do wonder if he ever watched any of Jess Franco's films.

Robert Monell said...

I do wonder if he ever watched any of Jess Franco's films.

I have a feeling that he might have Keith. But which one?