Violent and strong film , being very well set in Barcelona of the Twenties . At a time in which there was a great mayhem , as the working class rises on strikes demanding what they considerando fair . While the Bourgeoise class attempts to calm their spirits using illegal methods , even hiring thugs to intimidate the instigators . It deals with a corrupt group , -Vicente Romero , Ernesto Alterio, Fredi Leis-, of policies operating in Barcelona , there comes another cop , the Basque Anibal Uriarte , Luis Tosar , who joins the squad . At the same time, Salvador Ortiz nicknamed El Baron : Manolo Solo , runs a Cabaret called Eden where dances Lola : Adriana Torrebejano . There usually go the members of the elite cops .Things go wrong when a weapons shipment is robbed and the Chief Inspector assigns the team to investigate it .

It is a violent and engaging flick describing historial events when in Barcelona rules the strongest law with anarchist gangs, abusive entrepreneurs , Strikes and Lock-outs . Moving story plenty of polítical crimes , intrigue , thrills , crossfire , and real events about Catalunya and especially Anarchism and Unions . As the film concerns similar deeds to "La verdad sobre el caso Savolta" 1980 directed by Antonio Drove . The flick was well based on historical events surrounding Barcelona city . The city of Barcelona was the economical capital of Spain and it it was particularly contentious , as it was demostrated in a previous decade with the Tragic Week 1909 . Regarding the social crisis with a labour movement divided between Socialists and Anarchists that used both , peaceful methods : Strikes and violent , as the action direct of sometimes indiscriminate attacks : explosion , massacre , bombing . And employers who used all kinds of tactics from the Lock-out to Gangsterism .While the main Anarchist Syndicate , CNT , an anarchist Union majority in Catalonia carried out strong strikes and several violent acts .The picture is decent and agreeable , although overlong and complex, at times . Anyway , it is compensed with the great performances from a long and prestigious main and secondary cast . The main cast formed by Luis Tosar and Michelle Jenner are pretty good . The secondary cast is frankly well , plenty of familiar faces , such as Ernesto Alterio , Vicente Romero , Manolo Solo, Paco Tous , Jaime Lorente , Adriana Torrebejano , Fernando Cayo , William Miller , among others .

The picture has a luxurious production design, being lavishly financed by notorious producers as Mikel Lejarza , Carrizosa , Ignacio Salazar ,and Mercedes Gamero . As well as a gorgeous and brilliant Cinematography by Josu Inchaustegui . And a sensitive and rousing musical score from Xavi Font and Manuel Riveiro . The yarn was well directed by Dani De La Torre . This Galician filmmaker has made a few but very good films . He previously realized Shorts as Lobos and Minas , and a TV series: Mar Libre . His first film was the successful El Deconocido. Rating 7.5 /10 . Decent and enjoyable film .Better than average . Well worth watching.

1920's Barcelona is an interesting setting for a movie, unusual but interesting.The plot is very blandly based on real events like a string of strikes, social tensions and internal squabbles in the anarchist faction. The 'brave rebels' and the 'evil policemen' thing is a bit trite but the characters are likeable so i forgive that. Special mention for 'El Tisico', a secondary character who is mental but funny

All action with no expense spared and with good story line, acting and directing. Historically interesting if not totally factual. You will enjoy it I'm sure if you're not put off by lots of gun battles and blood.

Firstly, I definitely liked the movie, and the acting was spot on, from a largely veteren and well-known (at least by Spanish standards) cast.

The plot is intriguing, has enough twists and turns to keep you interested (though a few seem confusing, and some poor editing choices therefore feels may have been at play), and it does all come together to an engaging denouement at the final scene, with a decent ending as well.

However a couple of the flaws. Chiefly the setting in terms of location, it is so obviously filmed in Galicia and not in Catalonia by anyone who's ever even just been to Spain, that it becomes at times off-putting. The greenery, level of rain, architecture of the urban locations, the sea obviously the Atlantic and not the Mediterranean etc. all contribute to finding it difficult to escape into the setting and believing it; i don't see why if Galicia was chosen for filming that the same film couldn't have been set in Vigo, A Coruña or Ferrol, and if it did have to be Barcelona un order to make the plot be more sellable to foreign audiences, then more outdoor filming should have taken place in Catalonia. Secondly the guns are all over the place in terms of what weapons were available in Spain at the time, too much so to be believable, and again it distances one from engaging into the setting. A final criticism would be that the fights although well chereographed, are filmed too much in the style of peaky blinders.

Taking all those points aside however, still a solid film, and better than a lot out there on Netflix.

Once you finish watching you will recognize that the political is not direct as you see it, and this is not new, this started hundreds years ago

Since I live in Spain I've been watching more and more Spanish movies and there are some really good movies made here. La Sombra De La Ley falls just under that category. Luis Tosar is an actor I recognize now as he's been in a couple good movies. La Sombra De La Ley (I have no clue why they translate this as Gun City) is probably not the best movie where Luis Tosar plays in but it's worth watching. To me it was just a bit too long and sometimes a bit confusing as well so more than a six star rating it won't get from me. The acting, directing were all positive, the plot just not perfect.

Linear film with simple characters many stereotypes, but it lets see.

Considering the current political circumstances, the plot setting is quite interesting. It doesn't state the righteousness as strong as we often experience in American movies. Actually, at the end people still stayed lost and the story didn't suggest a clear way out. But it makes the characters more plausible. At least you might feel the wiser way of being part of politics, is not to get yourself easily fomented by simple words and better to check more perspectives:)

The storyline is interesting but the execution leaves much to be desired. There's tension alright but it doesn't feel edgy. It's not particularly remarkable but it keeps you interested to finish watching it.

The actors perform in an understated yet competent manner but acting falls short of impressive. Luis Tosar, however, is consistent in his portrayal of his roles not only in this one. He connects with the viewer.

On the plus side, the set pieces are great. So is the cinematography.

This film is a reunion of sorts for actors who are part of the hugely successful and internationally known series, Money Heist, namely, Paco Taus, Jaime Lorente and Fernando Cayo.

Good actors bad movie, this review is over by order of the Peaky Blinders!

The movie takes place in Barcelona in early 20's. The movie begins with an espectacular what-it-used-to-look-like overview of the Catalan capital. The films is beautifully shot, and details are well taken care of, such as fashion, cars, street cars, building, decorations, and even the beginning of the construction of Sagrada Familia, however the director takes too much joy into twisting the camera. By the same token, some fighting scenes are confusing by the lack of stability of the picture.

The plot keeps the audience intrigued and lets them judge who the good guys and vilants of the story are.

What the movie puts unabashedly on the table is a social denunciation: who wants war and why.

Double game film done very well and also structured in a curious and interesting way, which manages to entertain and intrigue a lot. Interesting plot but in general the film is perhaps a little too slow but you can stand it well.

An awful movie. Streotype characters. A weak plot. Beware.

This is a very good movie about how complicated the political and social situations were in Spain just after WWI. It is a lengthy movie (2hrs +) but every minute is worthy to be watched.

The story is quite balanced tho, it does not have excessive conversations or any other boring parts, so the length of the movie goes quite entertaining, some of it went into well-preformed action. Some scenes had some intensive situations and the crew succeeded in bringing it with precision and professionality.

All characters played their roles perfectly. Adding this to the excellent pictures and effects make one respects the efforts of the director Dani de la Torre.

I would like to watch it again some time, definitely! 9/10.

It's a bad movie, to be honest, must have cost millions, but it's not worth a penny. The setting is okay, but the DOP and the director do a horrible job. I'm asking to myself, has this movie a professional screenwriter?

Very good movie, great director and great photo director

Sometimes people yearn for "simpler" times and refer the past as a good time to have lived. But as this and other movies show, all time periods have their issues or their problems humans had to endure and to live with. This has a high criminality in the center of the story but also corruption, so it is tough to recognize good and bad sometimes.

Yes gray areas are common and it is not a bad thing to show them. Especially when you show something (even in a heightened film form) that happened. The movie does feel like one of the US films that portrayed that particular time in history and you would be excused if you thought it was about that. Production design is really high and the actors are really good. And it doesn't shy away from violence either - not for the faint hearted and not easy to watch for sure - but very well made

This movie, aside from having great actors and an interesting plot that could apply to how and why all wars begin, is a feast for the eyes.

Beautifully shot! This film is an ode to late XIX and early XX century film and architecture. It lovingly gives a nod to Antoni Gaudi's invaluable contribution to the city of Barcelona; to the fathers of cinema: the Lumière brothers (see Dance Serpentine,1899 on YT); and to film pioneer Georges Méliès (see Le Voyage Dans la Lune, 1902 also on YT).

Carefully written. Never dull. This film respectfully and intelligently does not portray absolute good or bad / black or white characters, while it leads the viewer to care for, or detest said characters. It has a great supporting cast, especially Tisico, who much to my surprise ended up being portrayed by the chameleonic Ernesto Alterio, who has played the leading man in many comedic roles, and the role of Salvador Osuna Nava in Narcos: Mexico.

This film has it all. What else could one ask of a movie? I highly recommend it!

BE REVIEWADDITION Good film that faithfully reflects the atmosphere of the time and the processes that were lived. Front-line actors who never disappoint like Luis Tosar make it quite complete. It also has action from the start and an interesting main twist. Good movie well set