For Whom the Bell Tolls is a 1943 historical drama directed by Sam Wood and written by Dudley Nichols. It is based on the controversial novel by award-winning author Ernest Hemingway. Robert Jordan (Gary Cooper) is an expatriate American who, through his expertise in demolition, helps anti-fascist Spaniards in their effort to free their country from oppression. Robert gets some good help of his own from a group of activists including: the strong-hearted Pilar (Katina Paxinou), the fickle Pablo (Akim Tamiroff), and the beautiful, naive Maria. Romance between Robert and Maria grows throughout the movie as they become closer, in increasingly more danger. The republicans and Robert aim to demolish a vital bridge that will cripple the ruling party's advantage over the civilian freedom fighters. Can a small band of discontented idealists, and their wits, overcome their powerful oppressors and change the future of their people and country for the better?moreless