The 13 Roses (2007)
A devastating true story of thirteen young women condemned by Franco's regime — a testament to courage, solidarity, and the cost of silence.
The 13 Roses - Movie Information
- Original Title: Las 13 rosas
- Release Year: 2007
- Directed by: Emilio Martínez Lázaro
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 19, 2007 (Spain), October 19, 2007 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Las Trece Rosas (ES)
- Production Companies: Pedro Costa P. C., Enrique Cerezo
- Production Countries: Spain
The 13 Roses - Plot
True story of thirteen totally normal young women that suffered harsh questioning and were put in prison under made up charges of helping the rebellion against Franco back in the 1940s. Despite of their innocence, the thirteen were soon executed without even a trace of evidence of any wrong doing.
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The 13 Roses - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Emilio Martínez Lázaro
Main Cast
- Pilar López de Ayala
- Verónica Sánchez
- Gabriella Pession
- Marta Etura
- Nadia de Santiago
- Teresa Hurtado de Ory
- Bárbara Lennie
- Alba Alonso
- Celia Pastor
- Silvia Mir
Writers
- Emilio Martínez Lázaro
- Ignacio Martínez de Pisón
- Pedro Costa
Producers
- Enrique Cerezo
- Pedro Costa
The 13 Roses - FAQs
What is The 13 Roses about?
The 13 Roses follows thirteen young Spanish women who were arrested, imprisoned, and ultimately executed by Franco's regime in the early 1940s on fabricated charges. Based on a true story, the film portrays their courage and solidarity in the face of brutal injustice during the post-Civil War repression.
Is The 13 Roses based on a true story?
Yes, The 13 Roses is rooted in real history. The thirteen women — most of them members of the Socialist Youth — were arrested in Madrid in 1939 and executed by firing squad on August 5, 1939. Their story became one of the most poignant symbols of Francoist repression in Spain.
Did the thirteen women have any real evidence against them?
No credible evidence was ever produced against them. The charges were largely fabricated or wildly exaggerated. Despite their youth and the absence of any proven wrongdoing, all thirteen were sentenced to death and executed — a stark illustration of the regime's use of terror as a political tool.
Where can you watch The 13 Roses?
You can check current streaming availability for The 13 Roses on JustWatch, which lists all rental, purchase, and subscription options in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country and platform.
Who are the main actors in The 13 Roses?
The ensemble cast is led by Pilar López de Ayala, Verónica Sánchez, Gabriella Pession, Marta Etura, and Nadia de Santiago, among others. Each actress portrays one of the thirteen real women, bringing individual humanity and depth to what could easily have remained an abstract historical tragedy.
What happened to the real thirteen roses?
The real thirteen women were executed by firing squad on August 5, 1939, in Madrid. They ranged in age from 18 to 29. Before their deaths, several wrote farewell letters to their families that have since become iconic documents of resistance and humanity under the Franco dictatorship.
How was The 13 Roses received by critics?
The film was warmly received in Spain, praised for its emotional honesty and the strength of its ensemble performances. Critics highlighted its respectful, unflinching portrayal of a painful chapter in Spanish history. It became one of the more prominent Spanish productions dealing with the legacy of Francoism.
What are similar films to The 13 Roses?
If The 13 Roses moved you, consider The Devil's Backbone (2001), Guillermo del Toro's haunting Civil War-era ghost story, While at War (2019), Alejandro Amenábar's portrait of Unamuno under Franco, and The Photographer of Mauthausen (2018), another gripping account of resistance under fascism.
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