Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15060 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-02-07
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: Spanish
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The 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

DVD Description
Let the world change you... and you can change the world

Based on the journals of both Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De la Serna) and Ernesto Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal), the man who would later become 'Che', The Motorcycle Diaries follows a journey of self-discovery, tracing the origins of a revolutionary heart.

With a highly romantic sense of adventure, the two friends leave their familiar surrounding in Buenos Aires on 'The Mighty One' - a rickety 1939 Norton 500. Although the bike breaks down in the course of their eight month journey, they press onward, hitching rides along the way. As they start to see a different Latin America in the people they meet on the road, the diverse geography they encounter begins to reflect their own shifting perspectives. They continue to the heights of Machu Picchu, where the majestic ruins and the extraordinary significance of the Inca heritage have a profound impact on the young men. When they arrive at a leper colony deep in the Peruvian Amazon, the two are beginning to question the value of progress as defined by economic systems that leave so many people beyond their reach. Their experiences at the colony awaken within them the men they will later become.

Directed by Walter Salles, The Motorcycle Diaries is a beautiful and tender insight into the life of Che Guevara, one of the most memorable and iconic figures of the 20th Century.

Spanish with English Subtitles.

Special Features
- DVD extras:

Cast and Crew interviews

Alberto Granado interview

Behind the Scenes footage

'Making Of' Featurette

Deleted Scenes

Theatrical trailer

Customer Reviews

Motorcycle diaries
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.

A Wothwhile Journey
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.

Riveting
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.