Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/03/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The authenticity of "the Falling Soldier" is really not an issue of two rigid sides unwilling to discuss the point. This issue did not arise until Philip Knightley questioned it in his 1974 book on war journalism, THE FIRST CASUALTY, and a perfervid debate then erupted, fueled in part by Capa's having given several different versions of the taking of the picture. However, the authenticity was confirmed in the middle 1990's when the man in the picture was identified as Federico Borrell, who was indeed shot and killed at the date and time the pictuire was made and his identity was confirmed from the photograph by his surviving relatives. Following this confirmation, the debate has died down and the picture is generally accepted as authentic. This is not the only picture to have been taken during the Spanish Civil War, incidentally, and the authenticity of the others has not been questioned. And Capa's own actions argue against a faked scene -- he did not exploit the picture and did not even have the roll of film immeidately processed, but sent it to his editors in Paris, who printed the roll and had this particular picture printed. Capa did not learn of its fame until he returned to France three months after the picture was taken. Those interested in this matter are encouraged to read the relevant portion, Chapter 5, in Alex Kershaw's BLOOD AND CHAMPAGNE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ROBERT CAPA. Marc msmall@aya.yale.edu Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir! NEW FAX NUMBER: +540-343-8505