Fidel
First Run Features | Release Date: October 18, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
44
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
9
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Bravo works too hard at extolling Castro -- The film's historical footage is compelling, though, and provides plenty to think about. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Estela Bravo's film Fidel, The Untold Story has the kitsch appeal of a farm implement on a restaurant wall, or an Andy Warhol Mao poster: Interesting, but not for its original purpose. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
It's a refreshing change from the self-interest and paranoia that shape most American representations of Castro. At the same time, Bravo anticipates that such a view will drive some nuts. Read full review
60
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Castro remains the star of the show. You can't stop watching him. Read full review
60
Village VoiceJon Dolan
The tone is doting, but not cloying. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Hitler had his Leni Riefenstahl, and now Castro has his Bravo...Bravo is no Riefenstahl when it comes to persuasive mythologizing. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
It's a shame Bravo doesn't allow herself a broader perspective, because she's right to consider Castro one of the most important figures of the 20th century. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
The lack of opposing viewpoints soon grows tiresome -- the film feels more like a series of toasts at a testimonial dinner than a documentary. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeJanice Page
Unabashed Fidel worship. Read full review
50
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Makes a convincing argument that the decades-old Cuban blockade has outlived its usefulness. Read full review
40
VarietyDennis Harvey
Worth seeing for its wealth of archival footage hitherto little-seen outside Communist bloc nations, Fidel nonetheless errs badly by slapping a quasi-objective journalistic tenor onto content so flattering and uncritical it might pass for an old "This Is Your Life" episode. Read full review
20
The New York TimesDana Stevens
This is bad cinema and bad history. Ms. Bravo is unstinting in her praise for the omelet and her admiration of the chef, but she refuses to admit that she's walking on eggshells. Read full review
20
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Estela Bravo's disgraceful documentary Fidel could have been financed by the man himself. Read full review
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