Spanish Earth (6 - fin)

[Mimizhusband]

Thanks for posting the whole film.

[BobForehead]

My pleasure, Mimiz'! i live in service to The People, in so much as there is such.

[barkingmad33]

Can anybody answer whether or not this is Wells or Hemingway doing the narration? Sounds like it could be Wells. Could be Hemingway, its said that he hated mikes and would sound totally unlike himself when he used one. Then, also, guys that were with him in Spain thought it was hillarious that he had affected a kind of P.G. Wodehouse character of speech, interjecting phrases like "Old chap", etc.

[Jakevich]

Wells originally recorded it, hence his credit, but Hemingway later decided to use his own voice. So it is Hemingway.

[kolainca]

It's Hemingway. I've heard other recordings of him. No doubt. Also, if you read the history on the making of the film, the director originally had Welles do it, but didn't like it...it was too "polished" and preferred Hemingway's blunt style and less professional delivery. It's Hem's writing and his voice.

[barkingmad33]

Thanks.

[barkingmad33]

Then Joris Ivens, in The True Gen (1988, Grove Press, p.107) says that he "wrote and spoke the commentary for the film." But the credits say it's Wells doing the narration. What's up? Anybody got an answer to this?

[BobForehead]

Y'know, i can't figure it either. Except that it doesn't quite sound bassy enough for Wells, even though he's credited...no idea. Maybe i can voice-map it and Citizen Kane, compare and save...

[DEATHINKING]

fight on!

[BobForehead]

Maybe that last sniper guy is Camus, i can't menember...they all die or get signed to Warner by 1939 anyway.