Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- somber
- tense
- oppressive
- historical cinema night
- political drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film ambitious, carefully crafted, and well acted, while judging its cautious awards-drama style and fidelity to its source material limiting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Miguel de Unamuno initially supports the military revolt before arrests and violence force him to reassess his position.
The military leadership debates Franco's rise while Salamanca becomes a site of arrests and institutional seizure.
The story unfolds immediately after the army declares war in Salamanca and begins consolidating power against the Republic.
Unamuno's identity as a writer and academic culminates in a politically charged public confrontation shaped by arrests and intimidation.
Films like While at War, and why
The Official Story
historical political drama examining intellectual responsibility and authoritarianism during national crisis
Land and Freedom
Spanish historical drama focused on political repression, moral reckoning, and divided loyalties
The Last King of Scotland
intense period political drama about the collision between artistic identity and fascist power
The Lives of Others
literary historical drama portraying an intellectual confronting ideological violence and political extremism
Movie Details
- Director
- Alejandro Amenábar
- Release Date
- 2019-09-27
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (310)
Cast
- Karra Elejalde
- Eduard Fernández
- Santi Prego
- Nathalie Poza
- Luis Bermejo
- Tito Valverde
- Patricia López Arnaiz
- Inma Cuevas
- Carlos Serrano-Clark
- Luis Zahera
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is While at War about?
- An aging Spanish intellectual confronts the authoritarian consequences of a revolt he once believed might save his country.
- What is While at War like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of While at War as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is While at War violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in While at War as moderate.
- What did critics think of While at War?
- Critics broadly found the film ambitious, carefully crafted, and well acted, while judging its cautious awards-drama style and fidelity to its source material limiting.
- Which films are like While at War?
- Films with a similar feel include The Official Story, Land and Freedom, The Last King of Scotland, and The Lives of Others.
- How long is While at War?
- While at War runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch While at War?
- In United States, While at War is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
