Sin Novedad en el Alcazar (Siege of the Alcazar) is fascist propaganda in the guise of popular entertainment. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the story dramatizes the 70-day defense of the Alcazar of Toledo by Nationalist troops under the command of General Moscardo. At the end of the siege, it appears as though the Republican forces are triumphant, but the defenders have the last laugh. The film's dramatic high point is Moscardo's sacrifice of his own son, held hostage by the Republicans (according to the film, the younger Moscardo goes to his death willingly and with a smile on his lips). Somehow or other, Spanish dictator Francisco Franco emerges as the hero of the film, though he was but one of three generals fighting at the Alcazar. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi