Customer Reviews

Che (The Criterion Collection)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Steven Soderbergh's "Che" is one of those rare films where you'll either like it or hate it. It is not a conventional biography, it isn't even a conventional movie. Soderbergh is not interested in presenting a loud, thundering film about the icon Che Guevara, but instead he wants to provide an almost scientific analysis of a man driven by an idea and the campaigns he engaged in. Like Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette," this isn't a movie interested in bold political statements, it is simply trying to present events as they are known to have happened. It doesn't matter much whether you're a right-winger or a leftist, Soderbergh doesn't champion or attack Che's political views or goals, he simply presents a man's actions.

Benicio Del Toro (Traffic, 21 Grams) plays Guevara with an uncanny resemblance and a powerful presence. We meet him in Mexico City in the 1950s where he meets a group of Cuban exiles plotting the overthrow of the US-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. It is here that Guevara meets Fidel Castro (played by Mexican actor Demian Bichir) who lectures him on the dire conditions for Cuba's poor and convinces him to join the revolutionary expedition sailing back to the island on the famous Granma boat. Soderbergh intercuts the jungle campaign in Cuba with black and white passages capturing Guevara's 1964 visit to the UN General Assembly where he delivered one of the most blistering anti-colonial speeches of the era. This sections feel large in scope while the Cuban scenes feel very intimate as Guevara trains guerrillas, engages in firefights with Batista's troops and brings medical services to poor villages where many people had never seen a doctor before in their lives. Soderbergh captures everything with a great air of authenticity in the accents, settings, locations and anyone who has visited Cuba or the Caribbean will immediately recognize the unique sense of humor expressed by the characters. It is in this first half where we see Che taste victory as the Cuban Revolution spreads and culminates in the battle of Santa Clara. Batista falls and the experience convinces Che of the legitimacy of armed struggle. The second half of the film follows Che into Bolivia, a more arid landscape with an indigenous majority population living under another brutal regime. The Bolivia episode is the other side of the coin from the Cuban Revolution, here the struggle to spread a doctrine of armed revolution runs into various roadblocks due to many conditions including culture clashes, inter-clashes within leftist circles and the heavy involvement of the CIA in tracking down Che's expedition. The Bolivia episode feels more fast-paced than Cuba, but also features a stunning attention to detail. The episode ends with Che's execution at the hands of the Bolivian army and CIA, and in its somber tone, we can still see how the man transformed into legend.

"Che" is first and foremost a document, an attempt by Soderbergh to chronicle in as much detail and realism as possible the EXPERIENCE of being a guerrilla in the field, the long hours of debate and boredom punctuated by moments of violence and danger. Like "The Battle Of Algiers" the film feels almost like a documentary instead of as a dramatic narrative. Those looking for a more romantic, adventurous trip should stick with Walter Salles' excellent "The Motorcycle Diaries" about Guevara's journey through Latin America as a young medical student. Soderbergh's film is more challenging because it doesn't provide easy answers or plot points, it forces the viewers to think for themselves and form their own opinions and conclusions. The film doesn't make bold statements about the Cuban Revolution or socialist politics, and yet it forces the audience to ponder political theories and history more than the average, more straight forward biographical movie. "Che" provides a more challenging discussion about revolutionary politics than "Braveheart," or Andy Garcia's right-wing "The Lost City" which provided a more spoon-fed, almost tabloid take on the Cuban Revolution and its participants. Does this mean the film is simply too academic? It depends on what you're looking for. Che Guevara is one of those historical characters that has become such an icon or symbol that many people wear the t-shirt without ever bothering to read anything about the man, this goes for both those who admire him and those who hate him. Even those who are just used to seeing Fidel Castro as an evening news item waving at crowds in his green fatigues will see the icon stripped down to a guerrilla commander trying to strategize and reconcile various parties, groups and opinions about how to carry out a revolutionary change in government. One value of the script by Peter Buchman is that he doesn't reduce these men to just historical titans spewing grand speeches, we instead see the bare bones of politics and how behind the flashy posters and berets, Guevara and Castro were also debating the hows and whens of everything from land reform to foreign policy.

The look of the film is toned down and yet very lush. Soderbergh used the Red One camera for both episodes of "Che" and the result is very impressive, a visual clarity with some of the same grain and depth as film. There are grand vistas in the Cuba chapter, with lush sequences in beautiful jungle terrains. The Bolivia section looks arid and cold, with rich shadows evoking a campaign headed for a tragic end. It was a wise choice to film the UN sequences in black and white film stock, they feel incredibly authentic.

Without a doubt "Che" features the best performance ever delivered by Benicio Del Toro who fully embodies the character, the fact that he did not recieve an Oscar nomination is a complete travesty. He brilliantly changes looks, physique and switches from a man pumped with the idealism of a born rebel to a man struggling in a terrain that is not bending to his will. He never overplays Guevara and brings a real human dimension to a role which could so easily be overdone. Demian Bichir is impressive as Castro, masterfully capturing the famous accent, the mannerisms and yes, the cigar stance.

"Che" is the kind of bold experiment many directors would be afraid of attempting. It breaks many rules and doesn't bow to the demands of cheap commercialism, and yet is always fascinating. This isn't the kind of movie to watch in order to avoid reading the biography, instead it is the kind of movie that might force you to go out and seek further reading on the man. Both sections come here with brilliant commentary tracks by journalist Jon Lee Anderson, author of the great biography "Che: A Revolutionary Life." Anderson provides excellent analysis and historical information that adds to the fascination of the movie, for those who find it hard to grasp the movie at first, the commentary tracks are of great help. In the DVD extra features Soderbergh laments that maybe the time for a movie like "Che" has already passed because nobody actually DISCUSSES films anymore, people appear to simply seek escapism and nothing more. This is certainly not a film for "Avatar" fans, or at least for those who ONLY like movies in that vein, but for the curious with an eye for excruciating detail, "Che" is an experiment worth checking out.

Steven Soderbergh created one of those movies that is lucky to have been made at all -- a four-hour-plus biopic of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara.

But like most biographical movies, it's something of a mixed bag. Visually atmosphere and low-key in style, the two halves of "Che" focus on pivotal slices of Guevara's life, with an amazing lead performance by Benicio Del Toro as the titular revolutionary. Unfortunately, it's also a very slow-moving affair that brushes past some of the more unsavory facets of Che Guevara's life and personality... and ironically many of the positive ones.

Part 1: In the 1960s, Guevara (Benicio Del Toro) is in New York City for a UN conference, being interviewed by a US reporter about his viewpoints as a guerilla leader and revolutionary. Then the narrative jumps back a decade to when he and others (including Fidel Castro) consider the many injustices over in Cuba and start planning for a revolution. Despite being Argentinian by birth, Che follows them to Cuba and joins the guerilla revolution.

But despite his start as a medic, Che began showing talents in other areas, and becomes a leader of the guerilla outlaws in the Cuban countryside. He grapples with his own ill health (asthma), the loss of his compatriots and the attacks from the military, which also threaten some of the non-revolutionaries -- and as time goes on, their revolution gained power and notice, and began the ultimate battle for control of Cuba.

Part 2: Later in life, Guevera comes to Bolivia disguised as a bespectacled bald businessman, with the intent of fighting another revolution in that country. But this revolution doesn't go as well as the Cuban one (for Che): shortages in food, internal betrayal, and one of their contacts (Franka Potente) goofs up royally. As Guevera's health deteriorates, the Bolivian army and the CIA take measures to quash his guerilla forces...

Rather than the usual biographical movie format, Steven Soderbergh approaches "Che" as if he were filming a documentary. There are no scenes of little Che being kicked by a rich guy or melodramatic subplots -- it's quite literally a slice of the pivotal point of Che Guevara's life, and a 1960s shakycam interview adds to that feeling. As an added note of authenticity, almost all of the dialogue is in Spanish rather than poorly-accented English, giving a you-are-there feel.

The storyline is rather slow, speeding up gradually as the revolution really heats up... only to slow back down in the second half with Guevera's decline. Most of the story is devoted to the guerillas staggering through the countryside, living in rough shacks and campsites. Even the landscapes reflect the ascent and descent of Guevera's power -- the first half is crammed with lush, vibrant jungle life, and the second is a washed-out, grey expanse of scrubby brush. Unfortunately, this means that over four hours, the story often drags like a ripped parachute.

But despite the slowness, each movie climaxes with some revolutionary action. Pinging gunshots, explosions, tanks, tense chases through deserted streets and burning trains all play a part in the harrowing finales of each half, which are all the worst because you know that all this mayhem actually took place.

Del Toro is, to put it mildly, astonishing as Guevara -- not only is he a dead ringer physically (with the right facial hair and clothes), but he exudes a quiet charisma, literate intelligence and power that make you see exactly why someone might follow him if they agreed with his politics. No one else in the story really gets to stand out, but Del Toro simply IS the cast all by himself.

Yet ironically it's a piously bland, virtuous portrait of Guevera. Soderbergh wimps out on the cruel, extremist sides of his personality and the regime he helped create; on the other hand, he also brushes over the man's fierce intellect, his writing, and world interests. It feels like we're looking at one mirrored facet of a very complex man, and surely more of who he was -- the good, the bad AND the ugly -- could have been included.

It's obvious Soderbergh put a lot of heart into producing the raw, realistic "Che," but his glorification and simplication of a controversial figure drags down his labor of love.

I thought this movie was fantastic. I'm not really into politics and don't really have an opinion if Che was a good or bad person. As far as it being a movie- the story, directing, scenery, acting- this was done with the highest of quality. Non Hollywood-like which what matters to me.

To get a full picture of Che Guevara the man and icon you should watch the film by Steven Soderbergh and listen to the audio commentary by Jon Lee Anderson, who wrote the book Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life (1997).
The film compares favorably to the epics Lawrence of Arabia by David Lean and Gandhi by Richard Attenborough. It is beautifully filmed and features outstanding acting by Benicio del Toro as Che and a dead-on portrayal of Fidel by Demian Bichir. Although it is 4 1/2 hours long, there are gaps in the film which need to be filled in and Jon Lee Anderson does this, as well as providing a different perspective. I have seen many film commentaries; this is the best so far. Anderson's commentary is deep and as compelling as the film itself. It answers many questions that arise from watching the film.
There are by necessity gaps in all the great film epics. The complete story of Che could not be told in 4 1/2 hours, but in Anderson's commentary much missing information is added. For example, Anderson points out that in Cuba Che was ruthless and made a practice of killing all prisoners, but in Bolivia he did not, and those he released came back to haunt him. He also explains that Cuba was ripe for revolution but Bolivia, which had a long history of unsuccessful revolutions, was not. Also, the leadership in Cuba was united under Fidel Castro but in Bolivia was badly fragmented.
Whether you like this film or not may depend upon your politics, as is evidenced by the reviews written so far. But I think Soderbergh has done his best to provide a fair and accurate portrayal of Che the man, warts and all.

I have seen this film thanks to my proximity to Mexico, specifically to Ciudad Juarez. I have seen this film in the original language, Spanish, and relished the various accents from the Caribbean Cuban, Fidel's, Cdte. Guevara's Argentine, which Puerto Rican del Toro produces very well.

In fact the only subtitles in the version I have seen are when someone talks English, which were well translated.

Therefore I can say with authority this movie is excellent in every way, and one which you must see by any means necessary.

In fact it is the only movie I have seen in quite sometime, and I did every thing I could to see it.

And, yes, unlike others here, I have seen it.

The viewer does well to come with a prior knowledge of the chronology, and the history, as Soderburgh intercuts across time and space. We see the first recruiting of Cdte. Guevara in Mexico by President Fidel Castro, in color, with an excellent replica of Fidel. We see the time in the Sierra Madre, which reminded me very much of my time in the deepest mountains of Nicaragua a quarter century ago, living with those enduring US military and imperialist intervention there, the Claymore mines directed against the women of my Church. The spirit and the strength and the talk of my people there resemble strongly this here, to the point of my tears.

Thus, the time before the ultimate victory and ride to Havana comes in color, intercut frequently with the rather later time Cdte. Guevara spent in New York City addressing masterfully the United Nations General Assembly (now presided masterfully by Nicaraguan priest Father Miguel D'Escoto), with other incidents in NYC including a gluttonous banquet and an interview which begins, accompanies throughout, and ends this excellent film.

The future time in New York is in black and white; the time before the victory of the revolution is in color, and includes his focus on universal health care for the poor, many of whom had never seen a doctor (Cuba now exports doctors, and Caribbean leaders come to Cuba for medical attention, and Cuba has a far better infant mortality rate than the USA) and his focus in literacy (Cuba now leads the USA in education). Keep that in mind as you watch this film, which you must do at any cost.

Del Toro performs perfectly in this film, better than any film I have seen him in. He becomes Cdte. Ernesto Che Guevara. When we see Fidel Castro in the mountains, the actor who represents him does it perfectly, with all his gestures and mannerisms and his strength.

The filming is perfect, the editing sublime, the actors fantastic. History comes alive, gripping, involving. The lessons of the film are both verbally explicit and visually revealed and never boring. We have much to see here, much to learn. See it again.

The mention of returning Guantanamo Bay to Cuban sovereignty during Cdte. Guevara's discourse to the General Assembly echoes bitterly ironic now, after these long years of uncharged imprisonment in US jails there. More pleasantly ironic is Cdte. Guevara's words to the Venezuelan and Nicaraguan delegates to the UN.

Please, you must see this film as soon as possible, as often as possible, with the greatest knowledge and understanding possible.

You may find historical background in all the usual places here upon the amazon, including primary sources such as The Bolivian Diary: Authorized Edition (Che Guevara Publishing Project)and Self Portrait Che Guevara. You might also find it useful to read Che Guevara Talks to Young People and Che Guevara Speaks: Selected Speeches and Writings, as well as VENCEREMOS! THE SPEECHES AND WRITINGS OF CHE GUEVARA (Edited and Annotated) and Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution: Writings and Speeches of Ernesto Che Guevara.

But most of all, see this movie, ASAP. See also his wife Adeleida March's collection of previously unpublished private letters in Evocacion/ Evocation: Mi vida al lado del Che/ My Lif in Front of Che (Spanish Edition) as well as the Che: The Photobiography of Che Guevara. Gee, the list could go on, but for now please see this great film.

This pack offers both parts of the excellent Che films and although the extras and bonus features are a little sparse, this is a good way to own both films.

`Che Part One' (aka as The Argentine) explores Che Guevara's experiences during the Cuban Revolution based on his own Cuban diaries. It looks at how he developed as a revolutionary and how Castro gave him more and more responsibility as his talents grew. He comes across as idealistic and honest and looked after both his men and the peasants in the areas he fought in. Del Toro acts superbly throughout and you could really believe this is a documentary, rather than a film, as the acting and direction is so good. This is shot mostly in Spanish, with subtitles, which adds authenticity to the film and isn't a hindrance to understanding or enjoyment. This film also uses colour and black and white cinematography to good effect. The revolution part of the film is shot in colour and the scenes where Che is talking at the U.N. after the war has been won is shot in black and white. This is very effective and gives the film a historical feel to it. Having read the book I know that rather being a exact chronology of the revolutionary war, it is rather a series of the exploits, battles and experiences as told by Che. This film follows the same format and if you don't know some of the history of the Cuban issue it may be confusing at times. For example it makes reference to the Bay of Pigs (where the U.S. sponsored an invasion of Cuba) but doesn't really specify any other information about it for those unaware of the history. Although in the films defence I am guessing the kind of person who would want to see this film would have a rudimentary understanding of the war and general history in the first place. This is quite slow moving at times and isn't good for those expecting an all Hollywood action movie, but if you enjoy authentic feeling bio-pics then this is well considering. It is brilliantly acted, has amazing locations and shines a light on the character of a twentieth century icon.

`Che Part Two' (aka Guerilla) looks at how Che tried to formulate and win a revolutionary war in Bolivia. Like part one this is shot entirely in Spanish with English subtitles, but the filming style feels different. You don't get the mixture of colour and black and white photography and this feels less like a documentary and more like war footage. It has plenty of hand held camera angles and a more intimate feel to it. Che has to deal with disobedient, unprepared and ill trained troops this time and you can see he struggles from the word go. He also has to deal with men who don't believe in the final objective as strongly as he does. In Cuba he had the backing of the peasants but in Bolivia they worked against the revolutionaries and hindered their progress at every turn. Che comes across as softer here, but just as resolute and with the same integrity he brought to the Cuban war. As before Del Toro is exceptional and the direction is impressive throughout. This is based on Che's own Bolivian diaries and like the first installment it can feel a little slow at times, but yet again we get offered an accomplished Bio-pic of an icon. This concludes both films with impact and leaves you with a greater understanding of the man and the times he lived in.

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I stumbled on this movie on cable half way thru the first disc. I knew instantly that I had to buy this movie. This amazingly accurate and well acted biography of Che Guevara is a must have for anyone who either admires Che or just wishes to know more about the Cuban Revolution and the continuing struggles in this hemisphere. Technically it's one of the most beautifully filmed movies I've ever seen.

The first paragraph and other portions of this review have been used in other DVD reviews of Che Guevara and fit here as well:

"On more than one occasion I have mentioned that "Che" Guevara, as icon and legend, despite his left Stalinist politics (at best) and the political gulf that separated him from those who fought, and fight, under the banner of Leon Trotsky and the Fourth International, was, and is, a justifiably appealing revolutionary militant for the world's youth to consider. A number of films have come out over the years that portray one or another aspect of the "Che" personality. Here the central thrust of the film is the creation of "Che" as a revolutionary cadre in the guerrilla warfare movement that dominated much of the radical political action of the 1960s, in the wake of the success and survival of the Cuban revolution in the face of American Yankee imperialism."

Unlike other films of Che `s exploits that have been reviewed in this space this monster, two-disc, four and one half film is strictly a homage to his skills as a revolutionary guerilla fighter out in the bush first in the hills of the Sierra Maestre in Cuba and then, tragically and fatally, in rural Bolivia. Some footage is thrown in, seemingly as relief, from interviews and an occasional speech but the heart of the film, and probably the reason that Che will long be remembered by generations of youth is that fight to turn himself from a "rich kid" doctor to a struggler against imperialism wherever he found it.

That story, whatever, the political differences we might have is appealing. What is not, in a long film, is the concentration on every military maneuver and every action in every campaign in Cuba and Bolivia. This short changes Che as a political man with definite politic views, hard views about the nature of the future communist society, that came to the fore in the period when he was a Cuban state official and responsible for helping to run the government under the guns, real and economic, of American imperial attack.

In that sense this film does not work. Moreover, in contrast to Eduardo Noriega's "Che" in which that actor in his mannerisms, his good and manly looks, and in his earnestness (no pun intended) to free the Americas of the Yankee beast was Che Bernico Del Toro seems a bit ponderous. However, the film is saved a bit when "Che" and Del Toro are reprieved in the Bolivia-centered second disc when we get a better look at his determination to end up where he started, as a guerrilla fighter extraordinaire fighting against the world's injustices.

That, my friends, today is refreshingly appealing. That said, though "Che" deserved a better fate that to be caught out in the bush in Bolivia. And here, as I have noted elsewhere, is where the irony (and the political differences) between us comes in. What the hell was he doing in the Bolivian bush, of all places in Bolivia when they was a working class (mainly miners) who had a history of extreme militancy and readiness to do class battles against the state (and have done so since then). "Che", mainly deserves his status as icon, as a personal exemplar, but a whole generation of militants in Latin America and elsewhere got torn up to no purpose based on that wrong strategic assumption. That is the real lesson of the film.

Steven Soderberghs Che is a modern day masterpeice of a complex individual and idealist.While the film may be considered slow going by todays hollywood standards of action packed films it is a throwback to old time filmmaking.The documantary syling is great much of it filmed with hand held cameras.The cast is excellent.It is a surprise this film was even made and probaly wouldnt have if not for Benicio Del Toros backing as Producer and lead actor.While many people are detractors of Che characterizing him as a murderer I never hear them talk about the butcher Batista.The rampant poverty ,corruption,illiteracy,lack of healthcare.poor living standards,no political parties( i could go on and on)under Batista. While today Cuba has the most doctors per Capita in the world,everyone is literate and most of all Cuba is not a pawn of some imperialist giant like the US.It seems to be overlooked by most people the influence of the US and its embargo.The US tryed to assassinate Fidel over 200 times over a 40 year period.Now imagine if American leaders were the subject of Assasintaion attempts by a foreign power over 40 years. How would that influence our election and domestic life?Imagine a foregn power staging attacks on American soil trying to disrupt our food supply.In the 60s and 70s Several CIA officers left the CIA in disgust over the activities carried out by the CIA some in Cuba.People like Phillip Agee and Ralph Mcgee.Phillip Agee ended up living and dying in Cuba.Arguably things were better for the Cuban people under Fidel then ever before and would have been even better if not for the US embargo which has been denounced by most of the countries in the world as illegal and unethical.Which is why everybody else is allowed to visit Cuba but us.Cuba is the most popular Carribean vaction spot for Canadians but we wouldnt know that from the US corporate media system.Which also barrages us with every negativity about Canadian healthcare finding any disgruntled Canadian to mouth off about their system while not telling us in polls that over 90% of Canadians are happy with their national healthcare system.Sure Cuba is not perfect but its the first time poor Cubans got any consideration at all, that never happened under any other leader.And didnt happen under US tutelage.So Viva la Revolucion..And thanks Che for your idealism and attempt at making the world a better , fairer place for the worlds poor.

Steven Soderbergh created one of those movies that is lucky to have been made at all -- a four-hour-plus biopic of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara.

But even split in half, it's something of a mixed bag. "Che - Part 1: Argentine" is a visually gorgeous and low-key piece of work that focuses on the pivotal slices of Guevara's life, with an amazing lead performance by Benicio Del Toro as the titular revolutionary. Unfortunately, it's also a very slow-moving affair that brushes past some of the more unsavory facets of Che Guevara's life and personality... and ironically many of the positive ones.

In the 1960s, Guevara (Benicio Del Toro) is in New York City for a UN conference, being interviewed by a US reporter about his viewpoints as a guerilla leader and revolutionary. Then the narrative jumps back a decade to when he and others (including Fidel Castro) consider the many injustices over in Cuba and start planning for a revolution. Despite being Argentinian by birth, Che follows them to Cuba and joins the guerilla revolution.

But despite his start as a medic, Che began showing talents in other areas, and becomes a leader of the guerilla outlaws in the Cuban countryside. He grapples with his own ill health (asthma), the loss of his compatriots and the attacks from the military, which also threaten some of the non-revolutionaries -- and as time goes on, their revolution gained power and notice, and began the ultimate battle for control of Cuba.

Rather than the usual biographical movie format, Steven Soderbergh approaches "Che - Part 1: Argentine" as if he were filming a documentary. There are no scenes of little Che being kicked by a rich guy or melodramatic subplots -- it's quite literally a slice of the pivotal point of Che Guevara's life, and a 1960s shakycaminterview adds to that feeling. As an added note of authenticity, almost all of the dialogue is in Spanish rather than poorly-accented English, giving a you-are-there feel.

Much of the story is devoted to the guerillas staggering through lush, richly green countryside, and living in very rough surroundings; while the storyline is rather slow, it speeds up gradually as Guevara grows in influence and the revolution really heats up. Pinging gunshots, explosions, tanks, tense chases through deserted streets and burning trains all play a part in the harrowing finale, all the more so because you know that all this mayhem actually took place.

Del Toro is, to put it mildly, astonishing as Guevara -- not only is he a dead ringer physically (with the right facial hair and clothes), but he exudes a quiet charisma, literate intelligence and power that make you see exactly why someone might follow him if they agreed with his politics. No one else in the story really gets to stand out, but Del Toro simply IS the cast all by himself.

Yet ironically it's a piously bland, virtuous portrait of Guevera. Soderbergh wimps out on the cruel, extremist sides of his personality and the regime he helped create; on the other hand, he also brushes over the man's fierce intellect, his writing, and world interests. It feels like we're looking at one mirrored facet of a very complex man, and surely more of who he was -- the good, the bad AND the ugly -- could have been included.

It's obvious Soderbergh put a lot of heart into producing the raw, realistic "Che - Part 1: Argentine," but his glorification and simplication of a controversial figure drags the first half of his labor of love.