Che: Part One (2008)

In the film Che: Part One (2008), directed by Steven Soderbergh, we follow the life of Argentine Marxist revolutionary Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara. During an interview in Havana in 1964 with Lisa Howard, Guevara is questioned about the potential impact of reform on the message of the Cuban Revolution. In 1955, Guevara first encounters Fidel Castro at a gathering in Mexico City and joins the July 26th Movement after hearing Castro’s plans. Fast forwarding to 1964, we witness Guevara delivering a passionate speech against American imperialism at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. He also defends the executions carried out by his regime, proclaiming it as a battle to the death. Backtracking to March of 1957, we see Guevara struggling with asthma while teaming up with Castro’s group of revolutionaries. Together, they launch an attack on an army barracks in the Sierra Maestra on May 28th of that same year.

After their initial success in winning over the rural population of Cuba, the 26 July Movement gains increasing support while facing opposition from both the government and traitors within their own ranks. As a result, the government gradually loses control of most rural areas. The movement also forges alliances with other revolutionary groups and initiates attacks on various towns and villages. These assaults are largely successful, as the rebels meet little resistance. On 15 October 1958, they advance towards Las Villas and engage in the Battle of Santa Clara, during which Guevara displays his tactical prowess by engaging in street-to-street fighting and successfully derailing a train carrying Cuban soldiers and weapons. As depicted in the film’s finale, the guerrillas emerge victorious. With the Cuban Revolution now concluded, Guevara makes his way to Havana, proclaiming ‘we won the war, but now begins the revolution’.