The Legacy of the Dictator – 50 Years of Spanish Democracy

Fifty years ago, Francisco Franco died, and Spain began its path toward democracy. We witness these transformative years through the eyes of Spaniards Óscar Martín and Paloma Rodríguez, both born on the very day the dictator died – growing up alongside the new democracy itself. Their personal stories intertwine with eyewitness accounts from those who experienced the key moments of Spain’s Transición firsthand.

They guide us through milestones such as the unexpected role of the king, who sided with democracy; an attempted coup aiming to restore military rule; the cultural explosion of the Movida Madrileña, where artists like Pedro Almodóvar found their voice; and the political challenges that followed – ETA terrorism, the country’s unfinished reckoning with its past, and, more recently, the rise of a new political right seeking to undo the hard-won progress of the Transición.

Commissioned by Radio Bremen, this ambitious historical documentary by Vincent Productions Hamburg and filmmakers Pedro Barbadillo and Cosima Dannoritzer combines powerful interviews with rare archival footage – including recordings from the former ARD bureau in Madrid – to explore just how difficult it is to rebuild a democracy, and how much effort it takes to defend it against the weight of history.

A personal and refreshingly clear look at fifty years of Spanish history, asking: What truly defines a democracy – and why must it be fought for again and again?

First broadcast November 11, 2025, at 10:00 p.m.

Now available to stream online