The Motorcycle Diaries
RRP £19.99
DVD - PAL - Region 2
Buy NEW for £5.58
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.co.uk ReviewThe 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
Reviews
(Rated 5 out of 5)
This is a great look at Che's travels around South America on a ponderous, unstable old bike with his friend and fellow traveller, Alberto. It has slightly more detail than the book (of the same title)fleshing out some of the encounters and stories and really gives a clearer idea of the things they experienced on their travels. It is not only a great travelogue, but it is also a great insight into what made Che become the revolutionary he did. It looks at the exploits and relationships he experienced on the road, looking day to day for the next meal, lift or bed. The direction is superb and some of the imagery of the things they saw on their travels is simply amazing. A good film whether your interested in Che or not.
(Rated 5 out of 5)
I have to admit there are so many pictures of Che Guvara plastered over t-shirts, bags and even stationary that i took little interest in who he actually was. This movie changed that and introduced me to a snippet of the man before the merchandise, which proved interesting and enjoyable. The movie is very simple but riverting and even humorous, and the back drop of latin america is inspiring even to those who have no interest in Che. Ive watched the movie many times and it i love it more each time.
I especially recommend the film to anyone interested in world cinema or Gael Garcia Bernal.
(Rated 5 out of 5)
Its was a slow start but soon had me laughing out loud and feeling great emotion for the peoples of Latin American...it was easy to see how Che's experiences led him to his later role in life. This is the best film I've seen so far this year and now I'm going to read the book.
(Rated 4 out of 5)
I enjoyed this film in the end though I must admit the only reason I initially stuck with it is because it was about Che (Ernesto) Guevera and I wanted to find out more about him especially about his life before he became the Che we associate his name with today. I found out lots of interesting facts which I was previously ignorant about like the fact he was an Argentina, from a wealthy family, was studying to become a doctor or that infact Che was not his birth name.
The first half of the film focuses on the journey of the two friends as they set off on their beloved motorcycle. The film ambled on for a while and sort of reminded me of looking at someone's scenic holiday photos which though may be beautiful in themselves, get a bit boring after awhile. They just seemed to go from place to place with not much happening inbetween except them eating up lots of kilometres. Things do pick up and you see Che's character develop and mature as the physical journey becomes an inner one which I found very touching and wonderful to watch.
I also love the simplistic, honest and powerful words he used to write his diary and letters to his mother and consequently I will be checking out the book soon. I recommend this film not only for its historical context but also as an enjoyable film about how a boy became a man.
(Rated 5 out of 5)
I rented this film from Amazon, having caught the second half of it on Film4.
It's the sort of film that makes you feel like quitting work, selling your posessions and seeing if you have the heart to give more than you take.
It's got subtitles, but I watched it with my 11 year old son and we were smiling and laughing and chatting about it and the subtitles helped if anything - we caught every word.
It's a superb film and when you get to the end and realise who its about, as I did, the second watching makes you understand all over again.