This Spanish TV series about a family in the late 60s and 70s gives a great idea of how life in Madrid was at that time under Franco. Spaniards agree that all the details, from decor and furniture to footage of actual events, are spot on and a real nostalgia-fest, but the characters of the family themselves are also a real pull. If you speak some Spanish this is well worth watching.
Within Spain you may be able to track the series down in Fnac or the Corte Ingles, otherwise try the internet.
Updates
I'm a long time fan of the series, hooked on watching it every week on TV. It's high quality stuff. I mostly agree with the comment about it giving a fairly good picture of life in those times, though I must say (and most Spanish people actually agree on this) it's a bit limited. I grew up on those times in a small province town, and I must say the reality there was a lot harsher. The Madrid depicted in the series seems very rosy in comparison. Perhaps Madrid was much more liberal at the time, it could be, but a lot of what the characters say and do wouldn't have been realistic at all in much of Spain. This is especially true in the case of the younger son in the series (the narrator). I was about that age during those times. The way he talks and the things he does... just not realistic at all. I would've been slapped silly had I tried any of that, and my family was not especially strict. TVEi (sky digital channel 895 or thereabouts) has been showing the series on Thursday evenings!
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
