The Pinochet Case
User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10

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  1. RafaelP.
    May 4, 2004
    9
    It's an eye opener to read Ricardo's comments here on metacritic.com. Allende, by the way, was a democratically elected president ... and his economic policies had positive results until the foriegn powers (like the US) moved to undermine his government by blocking access to loans. Nonetheless, even though the corrupt businessmen had their little boss' strike (as goes on in Venenzuela) his support increased. It was after the opposition lost the necessary 2/3 vote of impeachment that their strategies turned more violent. Ricardo applauds the tyranny of business classes in South America ... I wonder why?… Expand
  2. PauloP.
    Dec 2, 2005
    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
  3. MarianoO.
    Feb 10, 2006
    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
  4. CarlosI.
    Nov 5, 2003
    10
    I am not political expert like the other raters but i think the movie has an important view of the case of Mr. Pinochet and the legal struggle that put him as the only person in the world that has so many legal cases in many countries and the justice just couldnt bring him to process. This opens a international debate about the legal system we have today. Mr. Pinochet is suspected for ordering mass murder, torture and many other crimes, and still there is people with very high I.Q. that defends him so much, i just wonder why. This has nothing to do with left or right political point of view this is human rights we are talking about. And a man who get killed, a women that get raped or child or ancient that got tortured can, believe me NEVER NEVER be forgoten. It seems to me that the people that defends this murderers has never been affected whith such crimes dont you think so? Very good movie i hope some day someone does a film with the real history of CHILE, not the imaginary of some that call Mr.Pinochet as HERO..... this is just a cheap wash of image that continues back in CHile.But the time and the history will speak for it self.Like those who talks about Chilean economíc miracle.... PLEASE.... while the people was starving and got a real Dictator every day on national TV. Please see it! VERY GOOD!!!!… Expand
  5. CandiceI.
    Feb 15, 2003
    10
    I give this film a 10. It portrays the reality of what many of the people of Chile went through. Pinochet a hero, PLEASE! Since when are mass murderors considered heroes? Many say he cured the economic downfall and brought democracy to Chile, but at what cost? I always thought that with a democracy one was free to speak their minds, but I guess Pinochet has a different definition of democracy. According to him, anyone who speakes against his political views needs to be tortured or killed. People cannot be killed or tortured because of their political opinoins, if that were the case the majority of the poulation would be dead. This film is living proof that killings and tortures took place, no one can deny it. Pinochet was a dictator! And this film did a wonderul job of telling others what really happened. People who support Pinochet disgust me, especially after seeing a film like this. How could anyone in their right minds see him as a hero? Why did they cut off Victor Jara's fingers off and eventually kill him? Why were people electricuted in the eyes? Why was my cousin almost beaten to death? Why did so many leave in exile? Why were people shot to death in el Estadio Nacional? Why? Ask Pinochet, because I don't see how someone could take part in such God awful things. Pinochet claims to be a religious man. Well what ever happened to the 10 Commandments (though shall not kill), what ever happened to that little sang? Thank you Patricio Guzmán for having interviewed such brave and strong people who tell the truth of what happened in Chile. I hope that with this film, people realize what democracy reallt stands for, because Pinochet along with his military certainly do not! … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Deborah Young
    90
    It's hard to walk away unaffected from this heartfelt, well-researched, feature-length documentary.
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  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    A riveting documentary.
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  3. 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.
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