La batalla de Chile: La lucha de un pueblo sin armas - Primera parte: La insurrección de la burguesía

there is little i can say to describe how unbelievably affecting i find this film series.

first, the history of these films is pretty interesting. assembled from reams of film taken during the period (including significant bits from chris marker), the majority was shot by a crew that came to chile to document what they anticipated being the first ever democratic transition to socialism. what they ended up producing, of course, was a chronicle of the right-wing military coup that disembowelled salvador allende's government.

this documentary is composed entirely of first hand footage, and as such, it takes us behind the facade, into the halls of power, as it were. and what we discover there is both inspiring and heart-breaking: naive intellectuals working in good faith to solve problems that they don't realize arise by direct design of their parliamentary and military enemies; bright eyed cabinet ministers entreating the population not to raise arms, despite the military's obvious coup prepartions; right-wing generals, loyal to allende's government for no other reason than their own honor, being arrested or tracked down and assassinated by the junta; the final unrepetant speech allende delivers on national radio, a glorious epitaph to a life dedicated to freedom and resistance, delivered as military jets reduce the presidential palace to rubble.

this is a documentary for those who wish to learn or to remember, to reflect on a historical moment when another way seemed possible, when people fought for the things they believed in, and when washington didn't even have to justify overturning a regime (or co-ordinating the coup, as it has now been proved they did in this case).

there are very few films that can achieve anything even approaching the relevance, the poignancy and the vision found here. if you can find these films, i suggest you take the four or five hours, and acquaint yourself with this tragic history telling itself.

The Battle of Chile is one of the greatest and most anguished of all documentaries. Given the US invasion of Iraq with the use of perfidious conservative lies, smoke, and mirrors, it is instructive that after thirty five years the US CIA, the conservative movement here, and military fellow travelers continue to con the people of our country into the most horrific of militaristic actions -- some spoken about, and some, as documented in The Battle of Chile -- buried with the same lies, smoke, and mirrors. Thus, this film is one all US citizens should see. So keep Netflicks busy because you'll never see it on the TV or a major film screen in this, the free-est of all possible nations.

A documental with a real journalist sense. It shows clearly the historical facts, in specific, the several ways used the opposition against the democratical government of Salvador Allende, provided with a very humanitary vision .

In my opinion, the most important message that the film give to us is: despite your political position in the conflict, there was a fact indubitable. The chilean bourgeoisie fighted by antidemocratical ways the government of Salvador Allende, so they broke the popular will repeteadly.

"La Batalla de Chile: La Lucha de un Pueblo Sin Armas" is the first of three documentaries that deal with the illegal ouster of the leftist government of Chile as well as the subsequent murder and persecution of the supporters of this legitimately elected regime. While I ideologically think communism is not the answer to a nation's ills, this film worked to convince me of the rightness of their position--making it an extremely effective documentary. And, while in many ways I am proud to be an American, I realize that the film was correct in its assessment in the US government in this affair--when our nation SHOULD always support self-determination regardless of political orientation. So, whether or not it made me uncomfortable, it was VERY effective. I also was blown away at the ending of the film, as you realize the horrible danger and costs involved in making the film. The bottom line is that the film is exceptionally well made, challenging and compelling. See this one.

*I saw the documentary several years ago and will watch it again. Should I find I am incorrect I will edit my review.

*My review is based on looking at a subject objectively, which this documentary is not. If you want to understand the situation as a whole, you need to go far beyond this documentary. If you simply want to be manipulated by the creator into accepting his point of view, I would give this 10 stars.

Communist terrorism started long before Pinochet. Since 1965 left wing groups had been committing murder, planting bombs and committing other terorist actions. All wtih the help of the marxist communist Cubans and Russians, they murdered hundreds, planted bombs and other acts of violence. All with the aid of the usual cast of characters, the soviet union and cuba. Both active in providing traing and support to the terorists.

Also Salvadore Allende is painted as this wonderful fellow democratically elected by the overwheling support of the people. He was a racist and was elected with 36% of the vote. Not exactly overwhelming support so the potrayl by guzman and the other left wing writers is a gross misrepresentation of the truth.

All these facts mr guzman conveniently forgets because he wants you to believe allende was this wonderful human being who was going ot save the world. Well he wasn't. He bankrupted the economy, stole private property and circumvented the Chilean congress like a good dictator would.

Look at Chile now vs. it's neighbors. It has the strongest and most stable economy in Latin America. Had allende remained, Chile would look more like Venezuela with the starvation, repression, violence and poverty that is the hallmark of all communist/ marxist governments.

When you watch a documentary of any kind, the truth lies not in what they tell you but what they don't tell you and this is a great example.