The Ponzán Network

Oct 24, 2022

1h 21m

★ 6.0

Overview

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the Second World War (1939-1945), around three thousand people managed to elude their pursuers, and probably also avoided being killed, thanks to the heroic and very efficient efforts of the Ponzán Team, a brave group of people — mountain guides, forgers, safe house keepers and many others —, led by Francisco Ponzán Vidal, who managed to save their lives, both on one side and the other of the border between Spain and France.

Genres

Documentary

History

Production Companies

TVE

Playmedia Producciones

The Ponzán Network Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Self

Martín Arnal

Self

José Cabrero

Self

Josep Calvet

Self

Juan Manuel Calvo

Self

Diego Gaspar

Self

Pilar Gimeno

Self

Evelyn Mesquida

Self

Oliver Nadouce

Self

Víctor Pardo

Self

Juan Pérez

Self

Guy Seris

Self - Politician (archive footage)

Francisco Franco

The incredible story of swimmer Alfred Nakache, played by Amir Haddad. Alfred Nakache is one of those modern-day heroes whose story is little known. Born in Constantine and raised in Toulouse, he was France's best swimmer in the 1940s. Arrested by the Gestapo and then deported, he swam in the unsanitary pools of Auschwitz, from which his wife and daughter never returned. In their memory, this survivor of horror picked himself up and resumed competition until he regained his title as French Champion and once again represented his country at the Olympic Games. Filmed at Studio Marigny at the Théâtre Marigny in Paris's 8th arrondissement.

0.0

Elvis and the USS Arizona

Nov 14, 2021

The surprising story of how one of music's biggest icons helped to establish a USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor. Elvis’ fundraising concert drew public attention to the plight and helped to galvanize efforts to finish the USS Arizona Memorial as it stands today.

6.3

13 Hours That Saved Britain

Apr 20, 2011

In this documentary, experts dissect the Battle of Britain, which took place on Sept. 15, 1940 — a day that determined the fate of the nation.

6.9

Mariana's Room

Apr 23, 2025

In the darkest days of the Second World War, Yulia and Hugo, a Jewish mother and son, escape from a Ukrainian ghetto. Fearing for his safety, Yulia entrusts her boy to the care of her friend Mariana, a sex worker who lives in a brothel. Hugo is placed in a closet, nominally for his safety, but from which he rarely leaves. With little view of the outside world, he conjures up ghosts and scenarios. But over time, Mariana brings the boy out and in doing so transforms his life.

7.0

Art of War

May 3, 2009

Documentary on the main principles of Sun Tsu "Art of War" illustrated with examples from the second world war, the Vietnam war and the American civil war.

8.0

Churchill: When Britain Said No

Jun 2, 2015

Documentary which examines the reasons why Winston Churchill and the Conservative Party lost the General Election of 1945, after Churchill had just led the country to victory in the World War II.

0.0

As If They Were Angels

Oct 6, 2018

The little known story of one of the worst non-combat disasters in the history of the US Navy, …AS IF THEY WERE ANGELS is a story of courage, heart, sacrifice and the heroism of miners & fishermen of 2 small towns, who risked their lives to save nearly 200 American sailors, shipwrecked on the rugged cliffs of Newfoundland. Narrated by Peter Coyote, it’s a deeply layered tale of navigation errors, courts martial mistakes, a steep loss of life, and resonates today as if the very telling of its deep humanity offers a lifeline for our fractured times.

8.0

L'Histoire secrète de la Résistance

May 4, 2021

No overview available.

10.0

Letters from Europe

Apr 24, 2021

"Letters from Europe" brings to light the words of men and women who gave their lives resisting the Nazi and fascist conquest from 1939 to '45 across the European continent. The moving goodbyes penned by a few of those sentenced to death are sometimes true spiritual testaments that explore the meaning of civic responsibility, human existence, fraternity, and life and death. Their words, which the film mingles with footage of the present day, can perhaps restore meaning to a humanist ideal and to the ever-changing idea of a united Europe.

6.0

The Ugliest Car

May 30, 2017

The youngest protagonist of the documentary is Wartburg, an automobile over 50 years of age. The car is still on the road, driven by Bogdan, a 70-year-old who is taking his mother to visit the German factory where she was forced to work during WWII. In this road movie which takes place between Majdanpek and Germany, the trip becomes a journey into the past, retracing memories from the war and revealing a unique relationship between an old son and his elderly mother.

0.0

Agustina González. La zapatera que miraba a las estrellas

Aug 7, 2023

No overview available.