Fidel (2002)

60% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(1,710 ratings)

Filmed in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, this massive biography of Cuban leader Fidel Castro begins in the 1950s, when the title character, then a young and hungry lawyer, bristles at the iniquities and corruption of the Batista political regime. Inspired by the words by left-wing radio… More Filmed in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, this massive biography of Cuban leader Fidel Castro begins in the 1950s, when the title character, then a young and hungry lawyer, bristles at the iniquities and corruption of the Batista political regime. Inspired by the words by left-wing radio commentor Eddie Chibas (Hector Elizondo), Fidel becomes active in a revolutionary movement aimed at toppling Fulgencio Batista (Tony Plana). In 1959, Castro and his followers stage a spectacularly successful coup, one that is staunchly supported by thousands of idealists and Cuban expatriates in the United States. Unfortunately, to paraphrase cartoonist Bill Mauldin, no sooner has Fidel come down from the hills like Robin Hood than he begins behaving like the Sheriff of Nottingham, killing scores of his political enemies in round-the-clock executions, routinely snatching away the basic human rights that he had promised his followers, and embracing Communism with a fervent passion. Although the film does not shy away from showing the darker side of Castro, it is essentially sympathetic to its subject, balancing the Cuban dictator's political outrages with his many acts of benevolence, and attempting to provide "motivation" for what seem to be appalling contradictions. Victor Huggo Martin and Honorato Magaloni are cast respectively as the younger and older Castro, with Maurice Compte as his brother Raul and Gael Garcia Bernal as the ill-fated Che Guevara.Fidel was originally telecast in two parts over the Showtime cable network on January 27 and 28, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 4 hr.
Directed By: David Attwood
Written By: Estela Bravo
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Television

In Theaters: Oct 18, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Jul 22, 2003
Studio: First Run Features

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Purely propaganda, a work of unabashed hero worship, it is nonetheless -- and likely inadvertently -- a timely and invaluable implicit reminder of the role that U.S. foreign policy has played in the rise of Castro.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Makes an aborbing if arguable case for the man's greatness.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Has the kitsch appeal of a farm implement on a restaurant wall, or an Andy Warhol Mao poster: Interesting, but not for its original purpose.
Janice Page, Boston Globe
Audiences will find no mention of political prisoners or persecutions that might paint the Castro regime in less than saintly tones.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Although Estela Bravo's documentary is cloyingly hagiographic in its portrait of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, it's still a guilty pleasure to watch.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Sacrifices the value of its wealth of archival foot-age with its less-than-objective stance.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Offers a completely one-sided view of Castro and his life and career.
Kurt Dahlke, Apollo Guide
A landmark work that should have viewers across the world reaching for history books to learn not only politically expedient accounts of Fidel's life, but also the real deal.
Jules Brenner, Filmcritic.com
Bravo reveals the true intent of her film by carefully selecting interview subjects who will construct a portrait of Castro so predominantly charitable it can only be seen as propaganda.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
An overview portrait more impressionistic than anything else, hardly psychologically plumbing... Still, leftist politics aside, the film undeniably works on a human level.
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
Any film that doesn't even in passing mention political prisoners, poverty and the boat loads of people who try to escape the country is less a documentary and more propaganda by way of a valentine sealed with a kiss.
Paul Malcolm, L.A. Weekly
It's a refreshing change from the self-interest and paranoia that shape most American representations of Castro.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
Full of detail about the man and his country, and is well worth seeing.
Nigam Nuggehalli, culturevulture.net
An exhilarating experience.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The lack of opposing viewpoints soon grows tiresome -- the film feels more like a series of toasts at a testimonial dinner than a documentary.