Captain, in Avila there is
a general in Napoleon’s army.
General Henri Jouvet.
His uniforms are beautiful.
His wine comes from France,
and his women from Morocco.
And every morning, to stop the
Resistance, and for his own pleasure,
he hangs ten Spaniards.
In three weeks,
he will hang 210 Spaniards.
Miguel, The Pride and the Passion Screenplay
A forgotten film now, The Pride and the Passion (1957) is a film adaptation of CS Forester’s The Gun, which tells the tale of a huge Spanish cannon and the conflict between Miguel, a Spanish peasant leading a band of guerillas in the Peninsular War, who wants to use the cannon to pierce the walls of Avila and liberate the city from the French, and Captain Anthony Trumbull who wants the cannon for the Royal Navy. Miguel has made a pledge to stand before the statue of Santa Teresa in a free Avila, and the movie details how this comes about. Cary Grant gives his usual fine performance. Frank Sinatra had a mixed acting career, but here he gives a workmanlike performance although his Spanish accent is risible. Sophia Loren forms a love triangle between the two men. More entertaining than it should be.
Bonus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJQPb9FH8XE&t=57s
The Peninsular War was 19th Century Britain’s Vietnam except they were successful and made Wellington’s reputation before Waterloo.
I think it was more like the Vietnam of France as the Portuguese, the Spaniards and their guerillas were on the side of the Brits. The French had severe supply problems as they foraged (stole) on the native population, while the Brits paid in gold and never lacked for eager native suppliers. There is much that modern generals could learn from a close study of that lengthy campaign.