Shock troop into the afterlife

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Movie
German title Shock troop into the afterlife
Original title El “Che” Guevara
Country of production Italy
original language Italian
Publishing year 1968
length 88 minutes
Rod
Director Paolo Heusch
script Adriano Bolzoni
music Nico Fidenco
camera Luciano Trasatti
cut Eugenio Alabiso
occupation

Shock troop into the afterlife (original title El “Che” Guevara ) is an Italian political thriller and war film from 1968. It is the first feature film about the Cuban communist Che Guevara and traces the last weeks of his attempt at revolution in Bolivia . In the Federal Republic of Germany , for unknown reasons, the film was only released in cinemas on June 6, 1974 after years of delay . Other performance titles include Gerilla ( Sweden ), Rebel with a Cause ( Great Britain ), Diário de um Rebelde ( Brazil ) and Bloody Che Contra ( USA ).

action

Bolivia, second half of 1967. The Cuban revolutionary leader Che Guevara tries with a guerrilla column to trigger a communist revolution in the country. His emaciated troops are urgently awaiting supplies of food and ammunition, which the Cuban El Chino is supposed to bring. The guerrillas have also noticed that the Indians have recently avoided contact with them. The rebels therefore suspect that a new unit of the Bolivian army has arrived in the operational area, which the Indians consider particularly dangerous.

In order to get food, the column penetrates a small country restaurant and "confiscates" food in return for receipts. In order to obtain weapons and ammunition, Guevara made contact with an army camp through a tapped telephone line and pretended to be an officer. He announces the arrival of a civilian truck. This information is believed in the camp. The column uses the truck to attack the unsuspecting soldiers , who quickly surrender. A lieutenant who resists and fires at the rebels is shot by Guevara. Che explains to the soldiers that the lieutenant died a senseless death for the so-called fatherland and a corrupt government.

Major Agueroda, Captain Pardos, leader of a special unit, and CIA agent Stuart discuss the situation after the attack. It is unclear whether Guevara is actually in Bolivia and whether he is behind the attack. The major explains to Stuart that he is only a guest in Bolivia. Meanwhile, the rebel group is faced with a new problem. A helicopter has been sighted and Guevara is aware that this dangerous weapon is making their situation worse because it can now be spotted from the air. The guerrillas are also beginning to have doubts about the purpose of their company. Even Willy, an outspoken idealist, is slowly becoming discouraged.

In fact, the army's new special unit, led by Pardos, is on the trail of the rebels. The soldiers are trained on the model of the United States Army Rangers . Pardos does not understand the situation of the Indians. While one of his officers points out the poor living conditions, the captain weighs down; the Indians deserve no pity.

The conflicts in the rebel group come to a head. The only one who stands by Guevara unconditionally is the black Cuban Acacio, who has already fought with Che in Guatemala and Cuba. He doesn't want to hear any intellectual chatter about the meaning and possibilities of the company, but believes firmly in the mission. Che, exhausted by asthma , hopes that the Frenchman (apparently Regis Debray is meant ) will soon arrive in La Paz and bring help, while El Chino has still not arrived. Again they are forced to commandeer, this time in a priest's house. His daughter, Simona, keeps Che for San Rafael , but the rebel must disappoint them: You are my profile sought and their seizure is exposed to a high reward. The supply column from El Chino is ambushed by the special forces and is killed except for El Chino.

The military have set up their quarters in La Higueras . Stuart announces that the Pentagon has pledged arms supplies now that Guevara is known to be operating in the country. The Bolivian military are thrilled about Che's presence as the army benefits financially.

The wounded El Chino manages to get through to the rebel column. The mood is depressed; Che realizes that the political situation in Bolivia is different than in Cuba, where everyone was for Fidel Castro from the start . Willy is desperate. El Chino's report makes it clear to Che that the special unit can only be rangers from Panama ( School of the Americas ). Simona, who joined Che out of sympathy for the revolution, is sent to La Higueras as a messenger to Dr. Sebastian sent. The latter also sympathizes with the rebels, but considers their situation to be hopeless and sees their only chance of survival in crossing the border to Paraguay .

While the guerrilla Ruiz is caught and executed by Che's men after his desertion , the rangers under Pardos of the column are on the trail. Pardos cites Che's manual , which he has read and which is also useful for the military. The captain is rigorous: if civilians have contact with the rebels, they will be liquidated. Stuart announces the beginning of "Operation Cynthia", in which the rebels are to be defeated. All possible support comes from the USA. Pardos has abandoned peasant huts burned down, believing that the people who fled have supported the rebels.

Che sends El Chino and a companion to Paraguay. They are discovered on the march and shot from the air. Dr. Sebastian and Simona travel to Santa Cruz. Sebastian explains to Simona that Che is an idealist, but that he misjudges the mentality of the local residents.

A Ranger column of Guevara's unit in an ambush ambushed and captured weapons and ammunition. Nevertheless, the regional military commander Colonnello Barrientos is thrilled that the rebels have now given away their location. Pardos picks up the trail of the guerrillas. Che decides to go to Paraguay with the rest of his column, Acacio wants to return to Cuba, El Chino, whom they don't know has already fallen, should accompany him. Despite all this, Che is convinced of the ultimate victory.

October 7, 1967. The rebels are ambushed by Pardo. Che is wounded, Willy, who is carrying him, is shot by the captain, Guevara is captured. The corpses of the other guerrillas are brought to a town on carrying poles. The Colonnello is reading Che's diary . He thinks it is trivial, but wants to destroy it before it causes mischief. The major advises against it, as the army owes a lot to Guevara. Guevara is a bandit , but also a good fighter and leader.

Pardos asks what to do with Guevara. The Colonnello is undecided. Che cannot be brought to justice as he is no ordinary criminal and the public on his side and detention is out of the question. Che is temporarily housed in a school that serves as a prison. There he is visited by Lieutenant Soto, who is a Quechua . He admires Che's rifle; the latter explains to him that it is a gift from Fidel Castro. Che is sad that a school has to serve as a prison.

A helicopter arrives. The pilot sends an order from the military high command that Che should be handed over to him. The Colonnello refuses, the major suspects an intrigue by the American secret service. The Colonnello visits Che in his prison and proposes a deal; he should give up the revolution, the government could be changed "overnight". But Che believes in the revolution in Bolivia and spits on Colonello: He is not corrupt and prefers to pay for the revolution with his blood.

The interior of a palace, presumably in La Paz. A Bolivian group of politicians, apparently including the President - the faces of the people cannot be seen - are discussing Guevara's fate. A court hearing is ruled out as too many grievances would come to light. In addition, the mass of the people and even the general staff sympathize with Che. There is information that the military is preparing a coup . A spokesman throws in that the American friends now have to intervene, after all, their interests are at stake. The President announced that Stuart had already auditioned for him. The military should solve the problem, after all they have only benefited from the affair so far. The general is to give Barrientos orders.

Pardos informs the major and the colonello of the contents of a telephone conversation with the staff. Che is said to have officially succumbed to severe wounds. The Colonnello is indignant and wants to refuse: who would carry out such an order? The major declares that he is not a murderer, that Mr Stuart will sort it out himself. Pardos has an idea. Sergeant Teran was a killer guy and suitable for the job. You go to school with Teran. The major sticks with it, it's a crime. Che is expecting them. He was ready, they shouldn't be afraid. Teran shoots Che down with a submachine gun . Since Che is still alive, Pardos shoots him in the heart with a pistol, Che dies.

The corpse is flown out in a helicopter. A press conference takes place in a chapel . A journalist leaves the major to find out what Che's last words were. The major lies to him: "Between us: 'Long live the revolution.'"

The beginning of the credits is highlighted in Che's voice: “Wherever death surprises us, let us be welcome. Because whoever has ears can hear our screams. And whoever has hands pick up our weapons. Until there is peace on earth. And equality and freedom among the peoples of this world ”.

The original credits, underlaid with the song “Canto del guerrigliero”, are missing in the German version, as is a longer opening credits.

Production notes, cut versions

The production is based on the novel "El Che Guevara" by Adriano Bolzoni (Rome 1967), who also wrote the screenplay . The exterior shots were filmed in Sardinia . The main role was played by Francisco Rabal , who gained international fame in 1958 with Luis Buñuel's Mexican feature film Nazarín . The German dubbing comes from Studio 70 Munich.

At least the German and US versions differ significantly in the opening and closing credits from the original. The opening credits with a monologue by Guevara have been greatly shortened. The original credits are missing in both.

criticism

"A curious little Italian film about Che Guevara's last weeks in the jungle of Bolivia."

- Die Zeit , No. 27 of July 5, 1974

Lore

The German version was released on DVD in 2002 .

Web links