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This amazing Spanish documentary was made late in the Franco period (the film was first shown in 1971, Franco died in 1975). It ostensibly reviews the popular music of the period beginning just after the Spanish Civil War (1939) and ending in 1952. In fact, it is a slyly satirical and clear-sighted look at Spanish society under the Franco dictatorship The high intelligence of this film may have put it over the heads of the state censors. In any event, they approved it for viewing. The documentary is notable for the vast number of film clips shown (over 4,000), and for the appealing way the movement from clip to clip mirrors the rhythms of the musical background. Other highlights include footage of luminous figures from this period in Spanish cultural history, such as the legendary bullfighter Manolete.