The Pinochet Case
The Pinochet Case Image
Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: This documentary follows the legal cases that ultimately led to former General Augusto Pinochet being arrested and tried for his crimes against humanity committed over the 25 years that he ruled Chile as one of the most notorious tyrants of the 20th century.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    100
    Eloquent, meticulously structured documentary -- Sober political and legal analysis alternates with grim first-hand accounts of torture and murder in a film that has the structure of a choral symphony that swells to a bittersweet finale.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Curiel
    100
    Interviews with Pinochet's victims put a human face on the systematic torture that existed under his rule.
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    90
    The Pinochet Case is a searing album of remembrance from those who, having survived, suffered most.
  4. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    80
    Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzman's powerful and sometimes triumphant documentary is not only an excellent overview of the affair, but serves as the perfect finale to his monumental trilogy about the coup and its aftermath, which began with "The Battle of Chile" (1978).

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. PauloP.
    10
    This film should be essential viewing for anyone trying to make a case for the treatment of detainees in the US's "war on terror." Watch "Trials of Henry Kissinger," and then this film, and you'll get a pretty good idea for why Bush II will never "win" anything. As for Ricardo's comments - people died in the French Revolution (and many other revolutions) fighting for democracy, just like those who were killed in Chile during the Pinochet years. Pinochet's involvement in those killings is indefensible, to say that a government can kill and torture people in the name of democracy is absolutely ludicrous.… Expand
  2. MarianoO.
    10
    It's really sickening, disgusting and also very sad the way Ricardo sees the "reality" of his country. No one should be called a hero if there is over them the slightest shadow of doubt about such a delicate thing as human rights. Why does Ricardo give that adjective to a mass murderer like Pinochet? There are many, many documents available today that allow us to know what really happened in Chile. It's the same old story: as long as they don't get touched by the violence of a government, it's "understandable", "they did deserved it" or "it was for the sake of the country". What a shame, Ricardo! And you call yourself a chilean? Patricio Guzmán has dedicated many years of his life to document those dark years and this movie is one of his best works.… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    Metascore: 73
  2. Iron Man 3
    Metascore: 62
  3. 42
    Metascore: 62
  4. Evil Dead (2013)
    Metascore: 57
  5. The Croods
    Metascore: 55
  6. Oblivion
    Metascore: 54
  7. The Great Gatsby
    Metascore: 54
  8. Pain & Gain
    Metascore: 43
  9. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    Metascore: 41
  10. Olympus Has Fallen
    Metascore: 41
  11. The Host
    Metascore: 35
  12. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    Metascore: 27
  13. Scary Movie 5
    Metascore: 11
All Current Movies »