The British Film Campaign in Spain During the First World War (1914–1918)

Abstract

The First World War brought a propaganda battle of enormous proportions to Spain. The conflict mobilised a popular debate in the country, and the belligerent powers deployed persuasive campaigns that included films as an instrument of control. Cinema put aside its traditional role of entertainment and turned war material into an ideological weapon. Despite the French monopoly of the Spanish film industry and the limitations imposed by the Spanish Government, Great Britain unleashed film campaigns that spread throughout Spain through private and diplomatic showings. This article examines the British film industry in Spain, analysing its operation and progressive improvement during the First World War.