As long as you see that the movie involves Spain in the 1930s, then its tragedy is obvious.
Spain overthrew the monarchy in the 1930s and was overthrown by fascists after a brief republic period. The Republic in the 1930s became a pandemic for the Spaniards, after which Spain no longer had a powerful left-wing movement. It was not until the death of the dictator Franco in 1975 that the successor, King Juan Carlos I, came to power and gradually restored democracy in Spain.
Looking at the film in this way, it is not difficult to understand the idyllic life in the Republic’s country in the first part and the political meaning of the dog-killing scene in the second part.
Different people have different explanations for the question of why Spain will remain silent during the 40 years of left-wing turbulence around the world and maintain fascist rule, such as the Cold War, domestic conservative forces, economic pressure, and so on.
The director’s thoughts on this issue are expressed through the teacher’s retirement speech in the film:
“If we let a generation of children, only a generation, grow up freely in Spain, then no one can take away their freedom. No one can steal. They take this wealth!"
And the performance of the boys at the end of the film tragically foretells that Spain lost not only the country in the 1930s, but also more precious things.
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