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5.0 out of 5 starsGuerilla war struggle is a new education
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 August 2011
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Where to begin? Probably by saying that I've considered myself a socialist of some description for most of my adult life, despite not growing up in South America, experiencing dictatorial regimes or exposure to societies or eras in which the carrying of arms is/was more common or accepted as a 'way of life'. There's no such thing as an innocent reading, said Louis Althusser, and there will be no exception to that statement here. Che Part One is a thoughtful, well-executed and - let's be honest - exciting depiction of a period in 20th Century history that deserves this unprecedented and extended treatment. Benicio Del Toro portrays the mature Che as the uncompromising and intelligent revolutionary some of us may have gleaned from between the lines of the official and commercial recycling machine. I rented this film with the vague sense of dread that accompanies any situations where you are worried that something (or someone) you've always vaguely considered inspirational could be ruined by a heavy-handed or bombastic approach. There was none of that here. The sequences of fighting and interviews interspersed with quotes from Che or his diaries are the furthest thing possible from an attempt at ideological indoctrination - what we get is clarity of thought emerging from concrete situations and eloquent countering of facile argument. While neither this film nor it's sequel take us into the later history of Cuba under Castro and subsequent claims of human rights abuse, what we do get is a portrayal of events that makes it clear how a genuine political sequence opens up the scope of freedom and possibility within a people or nation in a way that seemed inconceivable beforehand. My personal highlight is a scene in which Che takes over the operation of some of the heavier ordinance from a slightly inexperienced recruit. No more sermonising, best just to check it out for yourself.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 December 2013
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Brilliant adaptation of the story of Che Guevara. The acting throughout is believable, and really grasps the personality of each of the characters. The film seamlessly builds tension juxtaposed with humour. A film for anyone interested in war, politics, or just brilliant movies.