Comandante (2003)

62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(2,225 ratings)

Named after Fidel Castro's nickname and military rank, Comandante is a 93-minute documentary taken from the over 30 hours of interview footage between the Cuban leader and filmmaker Oliver Stone. Capturing Stone's February 2002 trip to Cuba, the film includes three days of conversation between the… More Named after Fidel Castro's nickname and military rank, Comandante is a 93-minute documentary taken from the over 30 hours of interview footage between the Cuban leader and filmmaker Oliver Stone. Capturing Stone's February 2002 trip to Cuba, the film includes three days of conversation between the two men in places like the Terraza restaurant in Cohima. Discussing his youth and rise to power, Castro also talks about the Cuban Missile Crisis, the U.S. embargo, and Cuba's place in the world. Originally made for Spanish television, Comandante premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Oliver Stone
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2003 Wide

Critic Reviews

Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
In all, we get a better sense of who this guy is, a man who has spent more time on the international stage than any world leader today.
Marc Mohan, Oregonian
Even when he seems less than forthright, Castro rarely fails to come across as a genial, charismatic guy. But that might just be the magic of the movies.
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
An opportunity frustratingly squandered, but one which still makes for fascinating viewing thanks to Castro's natural charisma. Errol Morris would have nailed it.
, Time Out
The pair make a smug double act, but you can't fault them for charisma.
Oz, eFilmCritic.com
The documentary that, according to HBO, isn't good enough for you to see.
Derek Malcolm, Guardian [UK]
Fidel is up to everything Stone lobs gently at him, and even replies to the film-maker's rather crass philosophising, of which there is far too much.
Jamie Russell, BBC
Ultimately, Comandante feels like little more than a backslapping love-in.
Rich Cline, Film Threat
While it's fascinating to get Castro's perspective on things like the Bay of Pigs invasion, the missile crisis, US intervention in Latin America and the Cold War, we can't help but feel that Stone is bending this documentary for his own personal interest.
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
As it would have probably taken another 30 hours to prise out more substantial detail from the man, you have to give Stone credit where it is due.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
While it's fascinating to get Castro's perspective ... we can't help but feel that Stone is bending this documentary for his own personal interest.
James Mottram, Film4
Stone should be justifiably proud, for he has crafted a compulsive piece of cinema.
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine
The result is a candid portrait, if not a multisided one, of a man whom the Western world has perhaps known little about other than his beard, his fatigues, his cigars.