This is one of my favourite Ken Loach films. Not only is it a great socialist film about a time of idealism but it closely follows the experience of Orwell when he fought in Spain. The Stalinist Communist Party and the self delusion of the American CP member capture the spirit of the time when some were fooled by the false promise of the USSR. Loach deals sympathetically with the anarchist militia and the love interest isn't over done either. The debates in liberated villages about collectivisation could have been boring but Loach makes you feel interested in the arguement. Another aspect of the story beautifully told is how the grand daughter comes across her dead grandad's suitcase, containing letters, newspaper cuttings etc. Through the flashback her grandads extraordinary story unfolds. Its a reminder of how heroic normal working class people are/can be.