The Motorcycle Diaries (Widescreen Edition)

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The beauty of the South American landscape and of Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Bad Education) gives The Motorcycle Diaries a charisma that is decidedly apolitical. But this portrait of the young Che Guevara (later to become a militant revolutionary) is half buddy-movie, half social commentary--and while that may seem an unholy hybrid, under the guidance of Brazillian director Walter Salles (Central Station) the movie is quietly passionate. Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna, a lusty and engaging actor) set off from Buenos Aires, hoping to circumnavigate the continent on a leaky motorcycle. They end up travelling more by foot, hitchhiking, and raft, but their experience of the land and the people affects them profoundly. No movie could affect an audience the same way, but The Motorcycle Diaries gives a soulful glimpse of an awakening social conscience, and that's worth experiencing. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

ON THE ROAD WITH 'CHE'.......2007-09-07

I have reviewed a biography of the life and works of the Latin American communist revolutionary (I think that is how he wanted to see himself rather than simply as an Argentine) Ernesto "Che' Guevara elsewhere in this space and make no bones about my admiration for his revolutionary skill and ardor while also noting my political differences. In a world that in the year 2007 is filled to the brim with fake `heroes' that today's youth are pushed to emulate Che was the real thing. A man of revolutionary conviction. The film under review, however, is a little difference take on Che's life from a time before he became a world-known revolutionary fighter and icon. Apparently this film is based on his diaries written while he and another footloose companion were traveling the highways and byways of Latin America on motorcycle, foot, boat, cart or by any other mode of transportation that would move them forward. During that fateful trip middle class professional (doctor) Che has his eyes opened to the geographic beauty of his continent but also to the grim underside of life for the masses. We, unfortunately, are painfully aware of how those travels ultimately end in the hills of Bolivia pursued by literally all of the security forces in the Western world.

Does this early life study of Che work? As a member of the Generation of '68 I am very, very familiar with the wanderlust that drove many of my generation, myself included, to seek salvation and companionship of kindred spirits on the roads of America and elsewhere. We rode those old Volkwagen buses to the ground in that pursuit and when they failed we hitchhiked (nobody does that anymore and, unfortunately, nobody should with all the weirdness out there on the mean roads of America these days). Che got the urge to find 'himself' before Kerouac's Beat Generation classic On the Road and we got it as a result of that work so this struggle against personal alienation has been going on for a while now. However, that physical liberation from parental authority and the norms of bourgesois existence do not in themselves necesaarily produce anything except an existential traveler. If one did not know before hand that this film was about Che then, while it was interesting, cinematically beautiful and the interplay between the two travelers was well-acted it could have been about a fair percentage of the children of post-World War II generation.

The missing link is the politics. In a word the search for revolutionary politics. And that is the real problem with the unfolding of the story here. Based on this presentation it is hard to pinpoint what in Che's experiences acted as a catalyst for `enlightening' him beyond some liberal sentimentality about the miseries of existence seen on his travels that would lead to a revolutionary understanding of the need to overthrow the old regimes. Yes, I know that to recruit people to revolution these days we will be dealing with bright, articulate, thoughtful, concerned liberals like Che in this film's period but I believe that the makers of this film took a dive on the politics. If they had wanted to honor the memory of Che then they did a disservice to that memory by reducing him to a inoffensive character serviceable to the liberal milieu. If they merely , as I assume, wanted to ride the wave of popularity for a real icon for international youth then I have even greater political differences with their use of Che's legacy.

Necessary to Understand the 'Che'.......2007-08-18

It does not matter whether you are a communist, a political conservative, or apathetic to politics at all, The Motorcycle Diaries exposes an important part in the life of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara that is usually overshadowed by the activities ocurring during his later years. The film does a great job capturing his thoughts and the events that shaped his beliefs and that impulsed his strugle to bring power to the people and establish an egalitarian society.

Powerful propaganda, passible film, lousy interpretation of the book.......2007-08-12

"The Motorcycle Diaries" averaged three stars, including three on its merits as film. Lets look at the other factors first.

As propaganda; as a mass media product intended to shape attitudes and influence people, five stars. The imagery is powerful and emotionally persuasive, the story makes the point clear, and the subject of this fictionalized account of "Che" Guevara's journey across South America will do much to keep a communist/socialist/popular revolutionary in the same mindset as his or her comrades. Even a fairly hardened Capitalist will hesitate at the depiction of the plight of miners in South America. Powerful appeals to emotion, plus the iconic value of "Che" make this an extremely competent bit of psychological campaigning whether or not you buy it or the agenda it pushes.

As an interpretation of a book: a dismal failure; one star. Che's book was funny, light-hearted, and depicted a very human man barely out of adolescence, trying to find himself, liquor, and physical intimacy (maybe not in that order...). He was able to laugh at himself. This movie misses that altogether. Ernesto may be depicted as human, a subject of sympathy, or even youthfully foolish at times, but never as the one to laugh at, and never really laughing at himself. The changes in events and parts of the book that were ignored make this evident; that the filmakers took themselves and their cause more seriously than anyone outside their cause can.

As film; Three stars; it was OK, but only OK. The story depended too much on Che being Che as opposed to any other young physician traveling through South America, where the book had other merits. It was also to preachy abouth the political message; a less direct approach could have won it a broader audience. The scenery of Latin America is the real star of the film, varied but always magnificent and captured well by the filmmakers. The real star in my mind is the lady who played Silvia, a young woman with leprosy, with a lovely face despite her ailment. She played the role with heart, and was brilliant as she regained hope and a desire to live, despite her daily suffering.

As it relates to current events: Although Che had little in common with a modern irhabi and munafiquun (false Muslims who commit murder that defiles Islam), Che was a physician who took up arms for a cause. This movie depicts a heavily fictionalized account of what shaped this change. Given the number of physicians involved with modern terrorism, this film should drive much thought and discussion.

Over all: Eh. Beautiful scenery, a tolerable plot, too much propaganda. No matter how timely, relevant, and thought provoking, I'm glad I rented it, but I'm more glad I didn't buy it. If you have an interest in terrorism or low intensity conflict, it is worth watching once (not twice), otherwise, I would suggest you give it a pass.

Enjoyed it, but not impressed........2007-08-10

I remember waiting anxiously for this movie to be released in theaters; I was going to be there the day it opened in the states. However, my life got busy, I lost track of time, and three years later, I still hadn't seen it.

I had high hopes that, unfortunately, the movie did not live up to. It's an interesting biography flick. The atmosphere of the locations is breathtaking, and the actors give some strong performances, but something about the story is lacking. It fails to draw you into the adventure. It doesn't feel as ominous of a task as it should.

I watched this movie with my roommate, who had not previously heard of it, and she stood up and left the room in the middle of the film after commenting on how boring it was. I have to say that if I had no interest in the subject of the film, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it.

The film's one saving grace is the amazing musical score by Gustavo Santaolalla. It's enough to pull you out of the monotony that most of the story is littered with.

I haven't yet taken a peak at the dvd's special features, so I can't attest to their quality. Even with it's drawbacks, it's a film worth checking out, especially if you are into foreign flicks. Just don't expect anything too special and don't let the lure of a peak into the young life of Che Guevara fool you into expecting anything of epic or adventurous proportions. The film is presented in the previews as two friends gallantly setting off for the unknown on their faithful "steed," but is in actuality a social commentary on the separation of social classes and the effect it has on young Fuser.

The Motorcycle Diaries.......2007-07-25

ased on Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara's memoirs about his eye-opening trip and political awakening, Salles's lushly photographed "Diaries" is an impressively acted and superbly directed coming-of-age story. As the journey begins in Buenos Aires, we meet two bon vivants from prosperous families who wish to see the world before embarking on a career. Ultimately, they encounter South America's impoverished Indian communities, and spend an entire year ministering to the ailing denizens of a leper colony. Anchored by Bernal and De La Serna's hearty performances, "Diaries" is a rousing portrait of political integrity and humanitarian commitment.

The Motorcycle Diaries (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

ON THE ROAD WITH 'CHE'
Necessary to Understand the 'Che'
Powerful propaganda, passible film, lousy interpretation of the book
Enjoyed it, but not impressed.
The Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Gael García Bernal , Rodrigo De la Serna , Mercedes Morán , Jean Pierre Noher , and Lucas Oro
Director: Walter Salles
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006Z2LOM
Release Date: 2005-02-15

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Customer Reviews:

ON THE ROAD WITH 'CHE'.......2007-09-07

Necessary to Understand the 'Che'.......2007-08-18

Powerful propaganda, passible film, lousy interpretation of the book.......2007-08-12

Enjoyed it, but not impressed........2007-08-10

The Motorcycle Diaries.......2007-07-25

CHE: Rise and Fall (Che Guevara: The Documentary)

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Priceless!
Inaccurate, Misleading Documentary Which Omits True Facts
The untold story

CHE: Rise and Fall (Che Guevara: The Documentary)
Director: Eduardo Montes-Bradley
Manufacturer: EMB Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EDZQSE
Release Date: 2006-07-13

Product Description

"CHE:Rise and Fall", from the crib to the grave; from the early summers in Alta Gracia to Mexico and then Sierra Maestra; from the days as a bureaucrat in post-revolutionary Havana to the jungles on Congo and Bolivia. "CHE: Rise and Fall", saga and myth. Guevara's trials and tribulations evoked by old friends and comrades unveil a unique Che, not so divine yet irreplaceable. "CHE: Rise and Fall", was entirely shot in Cuba while the remains of the guerrilla fighter were being airlifted from Vallegrande, a one horse town somewhere in Bolivia, thirty years after his execution. Alberto Granados, Che's motorcycle companion, joins the three surviving members of Guevara's Iron Guard and other key witnesses to bring about a chilling testimony. "CHE: Rise and Fall" of one of the greatest legends of the twentieth century.

Customer Reviews:

Priceless!.......2007-05-17

This is the most extraordinary documentary I have ever seen of CHE and I have seen them all. To be able to see and listen to Granado himself was priceless. The interviews with Che's bodyguards it's intense and it shows. The First Times when most of them saw Che as tango singer out of Argentine movies it's amazing. Another relevant aspect of this film is the process of transformation of Ernesto Guevara into CHE, the How and When. Details such as those explore in connection with CHE as a photographer himself are quite unique. In my humble opinion this is a must see that complements other views on the subject. Thank you for making it! Congrats! MT

Inaccurate, Misleading Documentary Which Omits True Facts.......2007-02-28

Being an American myself who has actually visited Cuba within the last year, I find the other reviews of this documentary to be completely misguided. Like them, I first saw this documentary and believed that Castro and Che weren't such a bad guys, but that the U.S. and Cuban exiles were biased and portrayed them as monsters. When I met several Cuban exiles who emotionally told me the stories of how they had their houses taken away by Castro and how their parents were tortured and placed in rat-infested prisons for simply expressing their support democracy, I thought these Cuban exiles were exaggerating. However, after I visited Cuba last year, I have to painfully admit that these people were correct in the stories they told me. I went to Cuba expecting to see racial equality, free healthcare and free education, as people like Ted Turner and Steven Spielberg had claimed existed in Cuba. What I learned from actually speaking to people in Cuba during my trip was a completely different picture from that portrayed of Castro in this documentary. Not to mention, I expected to see beautiful, exotic buildings. However, what I actually saw was building after building in Havana crumbling, with no electricity and on average, there were five to six families living in one two-story house. In one house I visited, the roof was partially torn off, one family of three lived under the staircase, two families lived in the kitchen, and three families lived upstairs, which consisted of two bedrooms and one closet. Very, very sad. Each day they had to wait in a line for two hours to just to get one ration of bread and rice. When I asked one of the mothers about the school system she explained that all children who attended were required to denounce any "counterrevolutionary activity" they saw at home to their teachers. As a result, many Cuban parents went to jail because one of their children notified authorities that their parents were "disagreeing" with the government some way. Imagine being placed in jail because U.S. law states your child must tell his third grade teacher he overheard you say "I disagree with the Iraq war and dislike President Bush" at your kitchen table. I also learned that when school children participate in a government march for the communist party they're given a coupon, which must be given to their teachers the following day to prove they participated. If they don't turn in their your coupon, the teacher will make a notation on a report card that each Cuban student carries from kindergarten until he graduates from high school. In addition to information about the student participation in all political activities, the report card also has information about his family including whether his parents belong to the Communist Party, a Committee for the Defense of the Revolution or the CTC or Confederation of Cuban Workers. In pre-Castro Cuba, the CTC used to represent Cuban workers and demand new benefits and better salaries for them. In Castro's Cuba, however, the CTC, exploits the workers, treating them as if they were slaves. The poor Cuban workers have to pay a fee to the CTC from their meager salaries in order to be "represented" by them. I was in such shock to learn these facts that I am now firmly convinced there is no such thing as a "free educational system" in Cuba.

As my conversations with Havana locals turned to the issue of free healthcare, praised by many ignorant Americans (myself having been one of them before this trip), I became even more distraught at the truth about healthcare in Cuba. The truth is that Castro has built excellent health facilities for the use of FOREIGNERS who pay hard currency for medical services. However, Cuban citizens are not even allowed to visit those facilities ! Cubans who require medical attention must go to other hospitals, that lack the most minimum requirements needed to take care of their patients. Most hospitals are filthy and patients have to bring their own towels, bed sheets, pillows, or they have to lay down on dirty bare mattresses stained with blood and other body fluids. Next time you hear someone say that Cubans receive "excellent free healthcare" (as I once used to say) please think again because that is simply not true. I spoke to five people whose family members died while attempting to "float" to Florida on dangerous, man-made rafts because they were so desperate to escape Fidel Castro's regime. Most people I spoke to were afraid to answer my question "Do you like Castro?" But their silence and weary down-turned eyes spoke volumes about the truth. Most people HATE Castro and think he is selfish, oppressive monster who has banked millions of dollars while the Cuban people starve and wait in line for rations of bread. I was shocked to read in a Forbes magazine article dated 5/5/06 that Castro's estimated fortune last year was $900 million.

I came back from my trip to Cuba a changed person. I felt so stupid and ignorant for having believed this documentary and other statements made by American writers, actors and directors such as Alice Walker, Sydney Pollack, Danny Glover, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson and Kevin Costner, that portrayed Castro as "brilliant" and Cuba as having "excellent healthcare and education." If you watch this documentary you should also watch the movie "The Lost City." This movie is the story of a Cuban family during the Cuban Revolution and ACCURATELY shows you both pre-Castro and post-Castro Cuba. It depicts how Castro's government slowly began eliminating free press any semblance of property rights and freedom. The movie is fair because it portrays both points of view--one brother in the movie supports Castro and the other disagrees with Castro. The cab driver I had while I was in Havana told me that, being 75 years old, he had experienced both pre-Castro and post-Castro Cuba. When Castro took power he was poor and believed in socialism and the revolution. But now, 45 years later, he is no better off than he was before. At least before Castro, he told me, he had better healthcare, a better house and freedom to express his religious beliefs (Castro closed all churches and essentially banned religion) and political beliefs. Perhaps the saddest part of my trip, which still resonates in my head today, was how this old man just kept repeating over and over "I should have left in 1959. I should have known. I should have known. Now I am old and cannot leave. I'll never be free."

The untold story.......2006-04-01

"Che: Rise and Fall" is the most complete work yet produced on the trials and tribulations of argentine born Ernesto Che Guevara. The documentary is structured in three main acts. The first relates to the early years in Argentina, his friendship with Alberto Granado and the preparations for the long journey through South America on a motorcycle. The adventure served as the argument to another film "The Motorcycle Diaries". The second half of the First Act focuses on the Cuban Revolution and the relationship between Guevara and Fidel Castro. The Second Act brings the audience closer to the period in Guevara spent in Africa fighting a Revolutionary War, and last but not least, we are confronted with the final days of Che in Bolivia. Che: Rise and Fall" brings out for the first time the testimony of Alberto Granado himself at a crucial time when the remains of Guevara were being brought back to Cuba after thirty years in an unmarked grave somewhere in Bolivia. The documentary is a must see for all those concern with Latin American History and the Twentieth Century. Stephen Kaplan.

Charlie Rose with Warren Hoge & William Luers; Senator Norm Coleman; Gael Garcia Bernal. (December 3, 2004)

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Charlie Rose with Warren Hoge & William Luers; Senator Norm Coleman; Gael Garcia Bernal. (December 3, 2004)

Manufacturer: "Charlie Rose, Inc."
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Description

A discussion about the oil-for-food scandal at the United Nations with Warren Hoge of The New York Times and William Luers, President & CEO of the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) has called for the resignation of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He shares his perspective on the United Nations and the oil-for-food scandal. Actor Gael Garcia Bernal has given two acclaimed performances in recent months. In The Motorcycle Diaries, he plays a young Ernesto Che Guevara. In Pedro Almodovar's Bad Education, he takes on multiple characters, including Zahara, a drug-addicted transvestite.

The Motorcycle Diaries (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

ON THE ROAD WITH 'CHE'
Necessary to Understand the 'Che'
Powerful propaganda, passible film, lousy interpretation of the book
Enjoyed it, but not impressed.
The Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Gael García Bernal , Rodrigo De la Serna , Mercedes Morán , Jean Pierre Noher , and Lucas Oro
Director: Walter Salles
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0006Z2KOI

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Customer Reviews:

ON THE ROAD WITH 'CHE'.......2007-09-07

Necessary to Understand the 'Che'.......2007-08-18

Powerful propaganda, passible film, lousy interpretation of the book.......2007-08-12

Enjoyed it, but not impressed........2007-08-10

The Motorcycle Diaries.......2007-07-25

Average customer rating:

The Motorcycle Diaries/Traffic
Starring: Gael García Bernal , Rodrigo De la Serna , Mercedes Morán , Jean Pierre Noher , and Lucas Oro
Director: Walter Salles , and Steven Soderbergh
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009UC842
Release Date: 2005-08-02

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Che, La Mirada Eterna
Director: Edgardo Cabeza
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

En Junio de 1997, un equipo de científicos argentinos y cubanos, integrado por antropólogos forenses y .geofísicos, desarrollaron un trabajo de búsqueda en tierras del viejo aeródromo de Vallegrande en Bolivia, para dar con los restos del comandante Che Guevara y los seis compañeros que habían sido enterrados allí, hacía 30 años. Este trabajo documental , muestra mas allá de la labor científica y el hallazgo de los restos óseos, un emocionante relato de los que fueron los acontecimientos del 8 de Octubre de 1967, cuando el Che, cae prisionero en el combate de Vado del Yeso, frente a las fuerzas de los Rangers bolivianos, y posteriormente un día después es fusilado en la escuelita de La Higuera. Los testimonios de los protagonistas del 67, como el General Gary Prado Salmón, y la enfermera Susana Osinaga, sumados a los relatos de los responsables del hallazgo y de los pobladores de Vallegrande, se enlazan en un emotivo homenaje que transita los mensajes mas humanos del Che, y desprende una figura eterna y viviente como lo es la del Comandante Guevara que con su mito ha vencido a la muerte que lo sorprendió en Bolivia en plena lucha revolucionaria.

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