改编自Luis de Castresana的同名小说。
影片以纪实手法记述发生在1936年战争时期的真实事件。一批儿童被送往国外，远离亲人和硝烟中的西班牙。桑迪带着妹妹贝戈妮娅去了比利时，分别寄养在两个家庭中。但他不肯认领养人为父母，重新被送入寄宿学校，在他心目中，父母是无人可以替代的。校园中的一棵大树，被这些远离祖国的西班牙孩子命名为“格尔尼卡之树”，他们看见它就仿佛在家一样……</p>...
At the beginning of the movie a pharmacist receives an anonymous letter that threatens him of death. And the murder actually happens. Seems very simple but nothing is what it seems and the journey to the truth will be long and difficult. The book is excellent and the movie is at par with it and very faithful to the romance. Great direction. Incredible cast with Gabriele Ferzetti in his best interpretation together with the one in "C'era una volta il West" and Gianmaria Volonté simply beyond reach as always. Many other great actors. Yes I am an enthusiast 'cause there's not a word or a shot out of place in this movie and the plot is ingenious. Who is going to see this film for the first time will be taken away by the developments (the pace seems to be calm but looking in between the kinks you may realize that many things are going rapidly on). Trying to figure out what is the kernel of the happenings and the "reasons" for the murder is a very interesting exercise but it's highly unlikely for the spectator not to experience a big surprise at the end. In my opinion Elio Petri at his best (I mean at the same level of his other masterwork: La classe operaia va in Paradiso).</p>...
