David Carne, an octogenarian, has passed away, and Kim, his granddaughter, is reading letters and diaries belonging to him. As a young man, David, an ardent supporter of the Communist Party, moves from Liverpool to Spain to fight for the country following the military coup. David has been jobless before joining the war against fascism. Initially, he is engulfed in fear and confusion before he transforms and becomes a qualified fighter. He joins POUM, a faction opposed to fascism. David found himself serving with other foreign volunteers. Here, he meets and falls in love with Blanca, a young woman fighter.
Eventually, David joins international brigades. Such a move strains his relationship with Blanca. However, Blanca is killed after the clash between POUM members and government militia. The death of Blanca devastates David, who decides to return to Great Britain. David returns home with Spanish earth wrapped in a red neckerchief. Indeed, the neckerchief is one of the souvenirs left behind by David after his death. The movie involves themes of love, tragedy, pain, and passion.
The flashback technique displayed in the movie connects the past and present events. Through diaries, letters, and Spanish earth, Kim tries to imagine a life experienced by his late grandfather. The film reminds the audience about the consequences of war. People engage in battles due to beliefs but eventually pay a higher price of being isolated and abandoned by their alleged allies. Fights only bring loss, pain, and grief.
