Hunky Stud
So if I am not mistaken, this TV movie is produced by the people in the USA. I am already impressed by this single fact. Where else in the world, can people have the freedom to produce a movie about the enemy whom their own government is banned to have any contact with? And the USA government certainly didn't have to pre-prove this TV movie before it was broadcasted. USA is not a perfect world, but people do enjoy the freedom of expression.I don't know much about Castro, and I would like to believe that those people really made an honest movie about him. The performance is great. At first, I didn't think that Víctor Huggo Martin was a good actor, but as time goes on, I started to believe his character. I don't know where the casting director found those actors, they all speak English with an Spanish accent which made this movie a little more authentic.Since this movie is over 3 hours long, it was hard to remember what things happened in which year. I hope that when they reproduce the DVD again, they can add something extra on the screen, such as "xx years after 1953." So the audiences can know how long it has been since the the revolution started.Overall, this could be an inspiring movie. Fidel started with one single man, and he was crazy enough to believe that he can take over the whole Cuba, and he was able to inspire all the others to follow him to win the country.
Mr-Ark
The first two hours of this movie are superb. There are some very strong performances all round, and the activities are well researched and offer a fairly objective view of events. Obviously, many events are skirted over in order to fit the running time, but what is shown is a fairly accurate portrayal of history. The violence in particular is extremely well done, offering a very realistic portrayal of gunfire and its consequences, instead of some needlessly flashy OTT action.The problem comes around the 2 hour mark as Castro takes power of Cuba. Suddenly, the timeline lurches drastically to try and mention important events. The films low budget shows itself up as the film spans years and events with little or no regard to objective film making. The movie is about Fidel, however, over two hours in and we suddenly cut to a very badly filmed sequence showing the death of Che Guevara. Whilst certainly an important part of Fidel's life, the narrative shift from Fidel to Che seems clunky and out of place with the rest of the film. The desire to portray Fidel in a bad light, sacrifices the characterisation of the first half of the movie, and instead offers a clumsily scripted/filmed series of events designed to show Fidel in a bad light. The film should've ended when he took power. As it is, the final hour and a half ruin an otherwise great movie.
LamontSmith
The "gentleman" who commented on this film is obviously, and completely, biased against the good work that Fidel Castro and the Revolutionary movement did in Cuba...to quote from the film:On the American government..."Before 1959, all you wanted to do was exploit us. After 1959, all you wanted to do was destroy us. Now tell me...is THIS democracy?"Fidel Castro saved Cuba from the plight that so many small nations suffer from. United States Domination Syndrome. Look at Jamaica...the ads show smiling faces and sunny shores when 85% of the country lives in abject squalor as other countries and the rich within Jamaica profit from the hard work of the people.Long live Castro and the revolutionaries around the world who fight against oppression and domination in the name of money.This was an excellent film.
aespi50722
The movie narrates with historical accuracy the birth of the Cuban revolution. The movie also scrutinizes without taking sides, the aims that Fidel Castro strived for his people as well as the diverse events that influenced the radicalism of the revolution after this was won. So at the beginning we see Castro's idealism blossoming at the Sierra Maestra and later on being implemented in the form of urban reform, agrarian reform and new clinics and schools for the poor. Later, we contemplate with dismay the excesses of the revolution with Che Guevara and Raul Castro practically in control. And finally, we see a Fidel Castro obsessed with the revolution to the extreme of losing touch with his people's aspirations. A well done, well acted movie that deserves high marks.
