Ché: Part 2 (Guerilla)

The second part of the tale focuses on the regrouping of the revolutionaries in Bolivia, where Ché must arrive under cover and rendezvous in the mountains with his men (and women). If the first film very much spelt out “victory”, this film is very much about “defeat”.

Whilst watching Part 2, you will often have the distinct feeling that you’ve seen this part already, since there is a lot of slogging through the jungle and much camaraderie coupled with back-stabbing. There’s certainly an argument that there is one great film here and two rather lengthy ruminations on isolationism and personal strife in the face of insurmountable odds, but when the viewings are split (even by as much as a night, or the self-imposed two week cinema staggering) then there is a more cohesive story underneath the hardship.

Guevera's sickness is ultimately what stymies his political aspirations and, as the net closes, the escape from the mundanity of the jungle for both audience and characters alike is a relief.

Part 2 is the anti-Hollywood movie, shot in Super-16 with a more reduced 1.85:1. No dollies, no cranes, it's all either handheld or tripods and the crew is stripped down to the bear essentials, so it does have a more personal, insular feel. There are a few jarring cameos: Soderbergh favourite Matt Damon chimes in as a bemused political go-to man and Lou Diamond Phillips is Secretary-General of the Partido Comunista Boliviano Mario Monje. However, these are very much Del Toro’s movies and Ché represents his finest hour. Consistently the square peg in Hollywood’s corporate round hole, he has found his voice in creating two truly memorable performances.



Extras: Exclusive interview with Benicio Del Toro, Interview with Alberto Iglesias (composer), Interview with Jon Lee Anderson (author of Ché Guevera: A Revolutionary Life, Trailer.

Released on DVD and Blu-ray (as “The Complete Story” boxset and Individually as Part 2) on 29th June 2009 by Optimum Home Entertainment.

Written by Simon Cole.