Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15238 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

"So much injustice"
Let me start by stating in clear terms that those that are looking for the story of El Che as a revolutionary will be disappointed, since the film does not stretch into this area of his life. This is what happened to my wife, who was expecting a lot more than the movie delivered, but luckily I was aware of what the topic was, and found it extremely interesting. The reason being that it depicts extremely well how Ernesto Guevara grasped the reality of the Latin American and its people, and how these facts affected and changed him into what he later became.

At the beginning, we find two friends, Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado, who have an urge to really get to know South America, to get away from civilization and to get closer to the land. That is why they decide to go on a road trip that will take them throughout the continent, exploring areas that they only know about through books. They leave Buenos Aires with the goal of reaching Venezuela in four months; their equipment is an old motorcycle, "The Mighty One", and the method to reach their goal is improvisation.

The two friends show striking similarities in their way of looking at the world, but also considerable differences in their behavior. Alberto is more gregarious and can convince other people of almost anything through the use of his wit and talents as a kind of "con artist". Ernesto, a student of medicine, who is close to getting his degree, is more introverted and takes things a lot more seriously. And even though the movie does not go deeply into his ideology, it still shows how vigorously he reacts to injustice and need.

In my opinion, the director Walter Salles tried to provide the viewers with a morsel of the experiences of El Che in this trip, but without going too deeply into an ideology that would make some people uncomfortable. I understand that in this way, Salles is trying to attract a wider audience; those that are interested in going deeper, will have to do it using additional sources. What the movie does do, is provide the viewers with spectacular images of an amazing continent. The breathtaking scene in Machu Pichu is one of the highest points in this area, and the reflections about how the Spanish exterminated the amazing Inca civilization filled me with sorrow and regret.

Gael Garcia Bernal proves that he has all the qualities that make a successful actor, presenting a polished performance. He even delivers a very believable Argentinean accent, and the only department in which he comes short is the physical differences with El Che, but of course, there is not much he can do regarding this. Rodrigo De la Serna holds his end of the bargain pretty well, especially through his spontaneity, adding a humorous tone that helps move things along.

The extras include a couple of deleted scenes that I would not have excluded, and an interview with the real Alberto Granado, who has been living in Cuba for a long time. There is also a brief interview with Santaolla, who did an outstanding work with the music in this film, by incorporating the sounds of South America. The music includes an inspiring song that has been nominated for an Oscar: "Al Otro Lado del Rio" by Jorge Drexler.

The Motorcycle Diaries
Don't be mislead by the title - it is more than Motorcycle Diaries. It is a life diary. The motorcycle is an essential part of the plan, but then the care for people and their environment takes over. The scenery and settings are fantastic. The autobiography is excellent, along with the education/information that goes on subconsciously as you are entertained by this life changing journey.

Inspiring!
I watched this film when I was in a miserable mood and it really uplifted me! It's an interesting and beautiful film with just enough detail to get you keen to learn more about Che's life.
I would recommend this film to anyone who needs reassurance that there are people out there who can make such a difference and inspire others!
It also makes you want to fly over to Peru- what wonderful landscape!!!