Pilar Guerra

During the Spanish silent period, Herr José Buchs was one of the most prolific, important and popular film directors. He was involved in the foundation of various production companies and he directed a lot of tearful melodramas and popular stories with historical, religious or folklore aspects ( many times adapting novels from well-know Spanish writers ). Herr Buchs recognized that these inoffensive films had scarce artistic interest and he accepted that the stories were usually shallow but he noted that such film productions, however insignificant, were what the public wanted.

"Pilar Guerra" is a perfect example of a typical Herr Buchs film. It's the story of a schoolteacher with an complicated love life; she has many admirers: her fiancée, Luciano, son of the major of the town, Felipe, who suffers unrequited love for Pilar and Ángel Roberto, an sculptor ( who was Luciano's teacher ) who feels a platonic love for our heroine. Pilar will have many adventures (without a job and alone in Madrid she will be forced to become a… model!!) and sufferings ( she schemes to arrange a life of luxury to punish Luciano for having abused her ) until love -and only one suitor- triumphs.

In spite of all the clichés, it must be said that the film has efficient art direction and cinematography and the technical production is impeccable. Such make-believe stories were popular and pretty much constituted the only genre during the Spanish silent period.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must continue with his aristocratic and superficial life.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

The DVD presentation of this film is largely made up of titles (in Spanish), derived from the novelization, to account for missing scenes. So little is known about early Spanish film in the English speaking world, that even this rather unsatisfactory presentation is valuable.

The film itself appears to be an unsurprising novelette featuring Senorita Monterreal, as a teacher from a small town, whose true love is frustrated by the fact that the object of her affection is the son of the local Alcalde, causing her to go to Madrid and become involved in the Bohemian community. After the usual misunderstandings, which include her baring a shoulder in the famous artist's studio and mother love, all ends predictably.

The handling is straight-forward, with characters ranged across screen facing camera in decorated studio setting, spaced by a few striking exteriors. This is done smoothly and the performers are equal to the demands of the production. Rivas is also in the better LA ALDEA MALADITA.

The reproduction of the surviving material is excellent - sharp and attractively tinted.