TVE will suspend its usual Sunday shows to mark 90 years since the Spanish Civil War began. La 1 will air five films on the conflict, pushing out regular slots. The move highlights a rare, large-scale programming shift.
Televisión Española (TVE) will make a rare and sweeping change to its Sunday programming this week, dedicating nearly the entire day on La 1 to the 90th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War. The broadcaster will replace its standard schedule with a marathon of five films focused on the conflict, marking one of the most ambitious cinematic events of the summer. This decision means that staple shows like Aquí la Tierra will be absent from the lineup, as TVE prioritizes a thematic journey through a pivotal chapter in Spain’s history.
For weeks, La 1’s afternoon film slot had been defined by the Superestrellas format, grouping movies by leading actors or actresses. This Sunday, however, the channel abandons that approach. Instead, the Spanish Civil War becomes the central thread, with programming stretching from midday into the early hours. The marathon opens with El maestro que prometió el mar, a recent Spanish film inspired by the real-life story of teacher Antoni Benaiges and the recovery of historical memory. The lineup continues with La vaquilla, Luis García Berlanga’s acclaimed satirical take on the war, followed by La mula, an adaptation of Juan Eslava Galán’s novel set in the conflict’s final stages.
The special event extends into prime time, where La película de la semana will, for one night, forgo its usual focus on major American cinema. Instead, viewers will see ¿Es el enemigo?, a Spanish production also set during the Civil War, positioned as the highlight of the evening. The marathon concludes late at night with Gernika, ensuring the entire day is devoted to exploring the war from multiple cinematic perspectives.
This programming overhaul forces TVE to reorganize its entire Sunday afternoon. The back-to-back films leave no room for Aquí la Tierra, which will not air this weekend. TVE has clarified that this is a one-off cancellation, directly tied to the special event, and not a permanent change to the schedule. The channel frames the day as more than just a series of film broadcasts, but as a curated television event that steps away from routine to offer a comprehensive look at the Civil War through drama, satire, and recent productions.
Such a broad thematic focus is unusual for Spanish generalist television, where regular programming rarely gives way to single-topic marathons. By dedicating the day to films like El maestro que prometió el mar, La vaquilla, La mula, ¿Es el enemigo?, and Gernika, TVE signals a commitment to commemorating the anniversary with a cultural and cinematic offering of significant scale. This approach stands out in a media landscape where, as seen with the recent documentary on Miguel Ángel Blanco and Spain’s memory of ETA, television plays a key role in shaping public understanding of the country’s past.
The Spanish Civil War, which began in July 1936, remains a defining event in Spain’s collective memory. Its legacy continues to influence politics, culture, and education. TVE’s decision to mark the 90th anniversary with a full day of films reflects ongoing efforts to revisit and discuss this period. The selection of titles offers viewers a range of perspectives—from historical drama to satire—highlighting the war’s complexity and its enduring impact on Spanish society. Such programming not only commemorates the anniversary but also encourages reflection on how Spain remembers and represents its own history.
