Original subtitles

Yaguasa.

Fejen.

Marihui.

Mosquitos.

Me he pegado ojo en toda la noche.

Pero no por los insectos, ni tampoco por el asma.

Es la duda sobre el camino a tomar que no tiene desvelado.

Las indicaciones del mapa son vagas y escasas.

La selva es cada vez más espesa y nuestra marcha se hace más fatigosa.

Es necesario pararse de vez en cuando y esperar que los macheteros Habrán metro

a metro un sendero.

Los golpes de Nachete en este inmenso silencio parecen señalar un tiempo sin

fin.

Bolivia, un mar verde que produce miseria.

Anoche, de repente, Ruiz se echó a llorar.

Las llagas de los pies hacen su marcha muy penosa de día y casi imposible en la

oscuridad.

Pero creo que el motivo de su llanto es otro.

No lo dice debido a su carácter cerrado.

¶¶

Dentro de 34 días se cumplirán 12 meses de la formación de la guerrilla.

Para esa fecha, deberemos haber alcanzado una zona más segura y al menos

triplicado nuestras fuerzas.

Les he prometido que festejaremos el aniversario junto a los nuevos

en una comida de verdad.

Mejor dicho, en un fabuloso banquete.

Todos han sonreído.

Pepe se ha dormido cantando.

4 de octubre.

Esta mañana, Billy...

Siguiendo a un popo ha descubierto entre los árboles una línea telefónica que

parece haber sido instalada recientemente.

Dice que quizá nos estemos acercando a una carretera.

Willie was right. The telephone line is new.

Both the cable and the insulators are the kind used by the army.

We're sure it connects with some military installation not far from where

are.

This morning I dismissed the macheteros.

I didn't trust them much.

We'll manage on our own now that the vegetation is much thinner in the

of the highway.

Our dwindling ammunition, food and medical supplies would call for a

raid.

I hesitate because we're so few.

But Vicente claims that no action at all is more demoralizing than even the

riskiest action.

So I've drawn up a plan of attack.

Vamos.

Buenos dias, amigos.

Buenos dias.

Buenos dias.

I'm sorry if I startled you.

Whose truck is parked there out front?

The Padron's. That is, Senor Sayos owns it. I'm glad you're not the Padron

yourself. Can you read?

No.

But surely Senor Sayos is able to read.

He can also balance the books, eh?

Here, amigo. It says here that the guerrillas in rebellion wish to thank

Padron. We're going to come into his truck.

And you are not at all to blame.

No gracias, senora.

Adios, amigos.

What about the flour on the truck? It is needed for bread. Three sacks.

The people in Moya, Coya, have paid for it. Three sacks, you said? Yes.

We'll want only two, then.

Vicente, pay him for four.

There. Tomorrow you can buy some meat.

I know you don't often get meat.

But go on now. Eat your soup.

And take your time.

Can't you wait till I'm finished?

Ah.

Gale. Yes, Sergeant.

Go find me a couple of bottles of beer.

Two beers, Sergeant? Don't let the lieutenant see you. You know the rule,

muchacho. Keep in front of your mule, keep in back of your gunners. And keep

of the officer's sight.

How far is it? About 20 miles.

The Priza will.

All right.

Pepe and Vicente in the driver's seat.

Miranda and I in the back.

Ramirez, Clemard, Acasio and the rest will follow us when they get the signal.

Say, what if they manage to alert their headquarters?

Well, that's a risk we've got to take.

Since yesterday, their headquarters has been transferring from Laudias to

Padilla.

I'm hoping in all that confusion that even if they get an alarm...

By the time they move, we'll be gone.

I've got them.

Must be an officer.

Acting Commandant, 2nd Battalion.

This is who?

Ah, Lieutenant Simon. Pay attention.

Ordnance Company C at Villa Granado has just reported their low on ammunition.

They need to be issued some more today.

Is that clear?

Yes, I'll do it at once.

Are they supplying the transport?

Or are you supplying a truck?

No, no. I'll load it up.

But I need a supply withdrawal order for them.

You're right about that.

I'll send it to you properly signed.

But another thing.

At the moment we're a bit short on transport, I managed to commandeer a

truck. Huh? You will alert the sentries.

Bueno. What'll I do with the line? Leave it cut?

You'd better. You never can tell.

Is it your asthma again?

During the day, it's all right. At night, it's a bother.

I'm almost 40 Vicente.

And for a guerrillero, that's getting on.

You're in better shape than any of us.

Did you

check the gas?

Yes, there's more than enough.

Signal the others, Vicente.

Miranda, start loading. All of you, soldados, come on.

Drop your gun.

Put up your hands.

Gather in the middle of the camp.

Everyone in the ammo shack.

Move.

Keep moving.

Go on, all of you. Move on, I said.

What did they tell you?

That you're up here on vacation?

Volleyball, mountain air and double rations.

Now that you've had your eyes opened, it's too late.

Get moving!

Get those crates and the truck.

Now. This way.

Send them over here.

There's no sense resisting.

Come on, eh?

All I want is ammunition.

You and I've got to get in.

Don't be afraid, Soldatitos.

I can imagine how your officers have described us to you.

And I'm sorry that stubborn fool there has forced me to live up to that

description. You can put your hands down.

All of you.

Believe me, sometimes killing one officer means sparing many lives.

Come on, get busy and help my men.

Vicente, watch them.

Vamanos.

Come on, don't be afraid, muchachos.

Take a grave for the teniente.

And think while you're doing it how much your lives really mean.

They're not meant to be wasted. Hey, muchachos.

They're wasting yours, playing soldier.

Go on.

Put your hands down.

And you.

What are you doing? Are you playing soldier, too?

Come here.

Put those gas cans on the truck. Now get out of the way.

Ready, Willie?

Up in Vicente. Pepe, here. It's all yours.

Righty. Get back there.

Get away from the shack.

Make sure no one's around.

Get back. Don't come any closer.

Ready, Pepe?

Si, ready.

Let's go, Miranda.

Adios, soldaditos.

Give our regards to headquarters.

Without a fight, you've handed those rebels a present of most of your

ammunition. And 400 hand grenades to the bargain.

You supplied them with weapons enough for at least a battalion. That means

are two, three hundred men.

The sergeant only counted nine men, Major.

All confirm it's true.

What are you thinking, Captain Pados, that these ignoramuses can count?

That one of these soldiers would even obey you in a proper action?

Look at them!

For months I've been shouting myself hoarse for my rangers, and they keep

sending me raw recruits.

No, thanks. That's right.

I'd like to be able to give it up.

Pados. Si, senor.

I want these soldiers to be shown that recent drawing of El Che Guevara that we

had reproduced.

Study each man's reaction.

Turn on the pressure at the first sign of recognition, Claro. Si, senor.

You believe it, Stuart?

That Che?

The greatest expert in Latin America today.

A revolution would operate from a public road between Valle Grande and Santa

Cruz.

In a zone where I'm able to concentrate sufficient forces to close a trap on

him. It's too good to be true, isn't it, Major?

Do you mind if I interrogate those recruits?

Ah, no, amigo.

I'd be an interested observer of the CIA's technique.

Please. Thanks.

Uh, Stuart.

I beg you not to judge our forces on one unlucky episode.

We'll bring you this foreign rebel you want.

We'll break Gavata's propaganda.

You can count on it.

Sergeant, I want the ones who spoke with Gavata over there in a row.

The raid and its successful outcome have boosted everyone's strength and morale.

It was a pretty good haul.

But we'll have to leave it in one of the usual caves so we can get away as fast

as we can.

Tonight we'll eat at the army's expense.

And the truck?

At the first curve, shove it into the valley.

What a shame. The motor's in good shape.

And us, though, 52 rifles.

When the new comrades reach us, they'll have enough weapons.

Yeah.

We also managed to find material. What we need are more men to put it to use.

Time will solve that problem.

How many men have we, Sergino? A lot, I'm sure.

The trouble is the natives don't know Guevara's here.

And oddly, any of them even try to help us. But you'll see, as soon as they find

out who the leader is, there'll be a lot more of them.

More than any cause, Latin Americans always want a popular leader, I think.

That's nonsense. If I were to go, they'd be another.

Comrades may die, but cause continues.

That's what we have to get through these people's heads.

Go on, cover those supplies.

They're leaving them here?

We've got to get away. Later we can pick them up.

On the march, I explained our gravest problems to the group.

The lack of any liaison between the guerrilla fighters and the party.

And the difficulty of recruiting new fighters.

It's a vicious circle.

To recruit followers, we have to make our activity known in the more populated

districts.

But to approach these, we need more men.

on the radio.

The North Americans say their military advisory mission is part of an old

agreement and has nothing to do with the guerrilla war.

Let's hope they didn't send any helicopters.

The helicopter is our most dangerous enemy because it can spot us when we

a river or move in the open.

Back and dirty your own nest and that of your padron.

Let's go, boys.

I sent Miranda and Ramirez to meet the man we were told was coming from La Paz.

They've come back without seeing a sign of him.

So we're still without news or contact with the capital and the party.

Maybe he's been delayed, but it's too dangerous to wait for him here.

We should be able to count on the mineros from Camiri.

I know those miners, Ernesto.

They don't trust anyone.

They're burnt out with silicosis.

And with parientals with machine guns aimed at the pit heads of the mines.

All the more reason.

I don't account on the shepherds and the sharecroppers. What's the matter with

you, Willie? Cheer up.

What made you think of the miners?

They're the ones most prepared to fight.

Besides, they've rebelled several times before.

Listen, Ernesto.

I don't want to sound discouraged, but... What?

Remember, six months ago, we were 43, and now we're only nine. In Cuba, a few

hours after we landed from the ship, out of 82 of us, only six of us were alive.

Six, understand?

A few months later, there were a thousand, and we were able to ship to

offensive. I say our comrades in Valagrande and La Paz ought to quit

and send us some men.

They'll do that soon.

Guerrilla action is like yeast to the party.

Look at our men, for example.

Maybe, as Marxists, they're a bit lame, but as fighters, they're none better.

The time has passed when all it took was joining the party to feel like a

revolutionary.

I'm glad I lectured Willie like that. Not so much for his sake, for even

he's the youngest, he's the steadiest of them all.

But for some of the others who keep their thoughts to themselves, the

meet the man from La Paz has discouraged everyone.

Have you seen this man?

Are you sure you haven't seen him?

What about you?

You.

Have you seen any stranger about?

Arguedas. Si, Capitan.

They want to stay out of it.

Tell me where you live, at least.

Arguedas. Well, any who do see outsiders, rebels, bandits, guerrillas,

as a group or alone, must report it to the police. Or look first for some

military men and tell us where you saw the strangers.

Claro?

Es claro.

You can go.

There'll be flour and beer for everybody in your village if you give us news of

the guerrillas.

So don't forget, there's also money.

Look at them. We certainly didn't learn one thing at our training base in

Panama.

The military way of forcing an Indian to stay abreast of the times.

If we could, do you think Bolivia would be like this, Capitan?

It's a pity, but Dan Guevara can accomplish it either.

I'd like to see Elche trying to make his speech to those good comrades and the

effect they'd have on each other.

You'll never see it, Capitan.

I know I would learn a lot because he's a real guerrillero.

Puma tres.

We are Puma Tres, Sector 1 reporting.

I'm Captain Pados.

Puma Tres, I hear you. Begin search operation and combat formation.

Emergency. Over and out.

Come on, let's go. Right. Sergeant!

For making headway, muchachos.

In five days, over a hundred kilometers.

El Águila is that mountain there.

That's where we're to meet El Chino and his comrade.

They should be there by now.

What day is it?

It's Thursday the 5th. And by Sunday, we'll have a lot more men. At least, I

hope. Are we near a village, Ernesto?

Yes, within 40 kilometers, more or less. A place called La Higueras, on the

other side of that mountain.

Finally. I'm sick of this bush.

Ernesto, we'd better move on.

Wait till they've eaten.

Baby, don't miss a thing, especially in the valley.

Bueno.

It's a big trap.

What's the matter? You look to me like a man who wants to pull out.

I was with Che in Guatemala and Sierra Madre.

Right beside him.

In Cuba during the darkest days.

And then the day of triumph in Havana.

And now here in Bolivia.

And for me, Che comes before Simon Bolivar.

Before Martin, yes.

Also before Christ.

I'll do anything for that man.

Whatever he thinks, whatever he says, I'm with him.

But I don't like reporting.

I want paper to be destroyed.

But the revolution also needs comrades who can write.

A revolution for me is burning everything.

Documents, papers, orders.

Yeah, everything.

A cuss isn't exactly what you would call a real intellectual, right, Clement?

But I'm what's needed in a situation like this.

If they are caught, the brains spill things to the police.

Take it easy, Clement.

I didn't mean you. Who then? That French newspaper reporter that the police

arrested? No, no.

He won't talk to the police. He was just like us.

That is, he thinks like us.

So they jailed him.

But another in his place would have talked.

By now, our war would have ended.

And it's just to prevent that sort of ending.

I feel that he writes about it.

Say what you like.

But to me, that diary is dangerous.

I'm worried about the fate of the French correspondent who fell into the hands

of that dictator Badiento and whose trial is still pending.

De Sente doesn't know that the Frenchman has already talked too much.

By confessing the international aim of the guerrilla action, he put all Latin

America in a state of alarm.

Our infiltration will meet greater obstacles now.

Come here.

Hold on, Niño. Who are you spying on in these parts? Now, you better tell me.

Let her go, Vicente.

Are you scared?

Huh?

What are you doing here?

Speak up.

I won't eat you, don't be afraid.

Though a goat it tastes wonderful, so you better be careful.

Now, what's your name?

Simona.

Ah, and I'm sure, Simona, someone has shown you my face.

Si. In a picture.

Who am I? Si.

San Rafael.

Huh?

San Rafael, but your picture is much more beautiful in our church.

And where is this church?

Across the mountain. My father takes me there to math.

But I've also got a picture of you where I live.

Ah. And where is your house, Nina?

Up there, just before the valley.

Would you like to visit it?

I'd like very much to see this picture of me.

And could your father spare us a glass of milk?

Por que no? Come on.

Vamos. And the goat.

Capture it and bring it along.

This is my father.

Salud. I hope you don't object to our bringing your daughter back so early in

the day.

No need to worry, Ernesto.

There's only one path, and the valley looks clear.

Está bien.

Gracias, amigo.

We'll stop here.

Unload.

It's three now, and my comrades need a good rest.

Could you give us all some milk?

Don't worry, amigo. We'll pay for it. Also for your trouble.

Don't you want to see him?

There's San Rafael.

I'd say that he has my beard.

But otherwise, there isn't so much resemblance.

And to be honest with you, we haven't much in common with saints.

Ernesto, I've raised your price quite an amount.

Well, now, a reward of $50 million for delivering dead or alive, preferably

alive. That's good.

50 million Bolivianos.

But that's too much to offer for only one man's head.

Where did you get this?

La Higuera.

Did you read it?

No. Well, now you know.

Yeah, 50 million.

You know what a pile of gold 50 million is?

You know what we came to do?

To rebel.

To rebel?

That's true. At whose orders?

You're the leader.

You're L .J.

Please offer something to drink to my compañeros.

No sign of El Chino and his men.

His last message stipulated a deserted farmhouse on the ridge as the best place

for us to meet.

When the girl found us, I thought she'd been sent by El Chino.

Instead, no news.

We wait here.

With El Chino's men, there should be my old comrades, Pereda, Polo, and Tuma.

They'll act like a tonic on our group.

They're here. You see them?

Mm -hmm.

Only three soldiers.

We better not get any closer than this. They'll able to hear us.

Chino, we're dropping with hunger. Three days without a bite. And they've got

canned goods.

We're out of ammunition.

They'll murder us.

I've got a few rounds in my machine gun.

Surprise is our only chance.

You two grab their rifles.

Vamos.

Get ready. There are five headed this way. Bueno. Wait for the signal.

Run!

It's a trap!

Pato's company got four in an ambush at Pucara.

And you?

Nothing.

The colonel? Inside, with a major and that North American agent. They've been

it for over an hour. Ah, you made it.

The colonel's asked three times for you. Where does he think he is?

Living at the Grand Hotel at La Paz?

For three months, you've been using my locanda as a garbage dump. It's useless,

I suppose, to ask your help. I know, Chica. I'm at your service.

Hey, you just keep your filthy paws off me.

Buenas. Buenas. Look, everything you asked for.

Frittato, pollo, arroz, and two bottles of Chilean wine I found you. Bravo.

Will that be all? Will I see you later tonight?

Let the pursuit of the rebels occupy your time.

Ah, afraid of collaborating, are you?

Oh, she'd like to work with them.

There's no difference between the rebels and your army, Colonel. As far as women

are concerned...

I find that you men all want the same.

She has quite a temperament.

Too much, I'd say.

A whiskey, Stuart? No, thanks.

Cigarette? No, thanks.

Our good Stuart is the perfect service man.

The CIA won't have to spend many dollars if they can cover the world with men

like that.

But for once, won't you come and have dinner with us? No, thanks.

I've radioed Panama.

We'll get those power plants you wanted. Now, Colonel, that reminds me. I need

six half -tracks for my battalion.

Okay. I'll order them for you. I think you imagine, Stuart, that we Bolivians,

or some of us at least, are actually grateful that Che's in Bolivia.

And we hope nobody gets the man.

Otherwise, once he's liquidated, you'll go out of business and adios dollars.

Uh -huh.

Apropos of that, Stuart.

They say that Che has spent the second of his nine lives. He has seven left.

It's that seventh one we want.

They should be here now. If they came through the forest, it would take them

longer.

How much time here?

We're waiting for El Chino and his men.

We'll go on when they get here.

Go where?

I don't know yet. It depends.

If there's a lot of volunteers on the way like they promised us, we could

back.

Yeah. It's a van I'd like to see again.

And who wouldn't?

A bottle of rum at the Tropicana, a clean room, and a bed with a girl in it.

Hey, Ruiz.

What are you reading that poster for?

Nothing.

I was just thinking for a 50 million reward.

It would betray him.

Can't be too sure. Right.

That roof would be a waste of time. It must be coming this way.

Yeah.

And you, Miranda.

How about you? What do you think? Of what?

Our new comrade in committee, Valegrande.

Why don't they move?

How the hell should I know?

I'm of Che's opinion.

It's the bullet in your gun that's your friend.

Why not try to contact the party?

Send someone to La Higueras or Valegrande.

I'd rather not depend on them.

But we can depend on El Chino and his men to give us some strong help.

They're only ten.

Nineteen with us.

But to Barrientos were a whole brigade.

A thousand at the least.

And the poster proves he's scared.

Desperate by now.

And the radio?

He orders them to announce that I'm dead.

We have accomplished something.

And now?

Now all we have to do is feed that fear.

Day by day.

By every means.

Time.

Time is our most valuable comrade.

What's a dictator's way to deal with those who oppose him?

Liquidate them all.

Instead, we are still here, in the heart of his country.

And we're alive.

But who will replace us? Who will follow us? If we're all killed?

Don't be afraid of that.

For a real revolutionary, living isn't the final goal.

Dying can be a means to win what you want.

To beat them.

It's El Chino. He's been wounded.

Get him inside.

Where are the others? Dead.

They were all killed.

What happened?

They jumped us on the riverbank. Yes, but traps set for us.

Look, Ernesto, we weren't having this kind of trouble before ever.

These troops were different.

Describe them.

They were camouflaged like special forces. They wore berets. They were

too. Ah, Rangers trained in Panama.

But why did you attack them?

We were dying from lack of food. I had to attack them.

How many miles from here?

It occurred around 12 o 'clock if Emil was in preparation, and since then, in

the state they left El Chino, I don't think they could have covered more than

five miles.

That means the Rangers are right on our heels.

Someone will have to go to La Higuera and tell Sebastian.

As the only contact we have is with La Paz.

This place will be completely surrounded soon by rangers.

We'll need help.

You see, time in Bolivia is a traitor.

I'd go, but the Bolivian police department has my photograph.

You know, one time I went to the seminary to La Paz.

I was perfect. It's impossible now. Señor, it's not if I go to La Higuera.

Besides, I know the way.

I'll bet you do.

But it's risky, Simona.

Why do you want to go?

Damn it.

Stop asking for reasons, as long as she befriends us.

Why do you want to do this for us?

Well, maybe I would like to do something for you.

Let's rest up until daybreak, and then move out.

You, El Chino, and Clement should try to make your way across the frontier into

Paraguay.

From there, take a message to Havana.

We others will try to break through to our people at Agua Agua and plan a new

move.

If we run into any rangers, we'll have to try a ruse to confuse them and split

their forces to relieve the pressure.

And when you get to Nigeras, give this to Dr. Sebastian.

All right?

No one else but him.

you

Why can't you lay them out in the cemetery?

Nobody's offending you. It's what the colonel wants.

But why in my locanda?

Now it's headquarters, not your locanda.

Think about us.

You don't cover me, and the nights are cold.

Who are they?

Guerillas.

Three Cubans.

Who knows about the other man?

Pobrecito. Yeah.

But you, the 53 of us Bolivians who've been killed up to now, are worth a

prayer. You'd like to think so.

Listen.

Better go find somewhere else to pour on the emotion.

The four paces of the day we draw is paid.

What of that?

Why don't you cry over us?

There's no hope of your burning your bridges behind you. Because you're too

-minded to.

Three Cubans and one Bolivian.

Can you identify any?

This watch is Paredes.

I've seen it before.

You mean the one with the scar on his head?

Mm -hmm.

He got that scar in Honduras.

Eight years ago.

He was with Che at Escombre, at Cabana, and the Congo.

They must have a record of everything in the CIA's information files.

Not so much.

But I do know one thing.

Where you find Pereira, you'll find Che.

But that isn't any guarantee at all that we'll be successful.

Well, that's the way it is.

Get the whole third group moving.

But I've deployed three companies of Rangers already, and they know how to

fight. And another two companies are converging on Santa Cruz. If Che

in that zone, he's yours.

Che's handbook of guerrilla warfare isn't only useful to revolutionaries. I

it. Some people can read here.

An attack of asthma woke me up in the middle of the night.

It was to be expected after such a cruel day and all it took me last evening to

keep up the boys' morale and overcome their discouragement.

I was fond of Pereira.

With him we lost a great fighter.

But now, few as we are, we must act and act fast at any cost.

We're lost if we bog down in inertia and despair.

I heard voices.

It was Vicente and Willie. Where are they?

On the mountain.

Why, Cassio?

Ruiz ran away.

He had the first turn at watch.

I came to relieve him, and he was gone.

Vicente and Willie will catch him all right.

He can't be far.

Well, why didn't you wake me?

How long ago?

An hour.

No pain on earth could be as bad.

That is what I suffer at this news.

And tomorrow, Cassio, there'll be a lot of bitter surprises waiting for us.

Keep a sharp watch.

Vamos, niña.

El Chino and Clement will go with Simone as far as La Higuera, and from there

head for Paraguay and Argentina, where they can take a ship to Cuba.

I'm confident, although a bit sad at the separation.

Ruiz is gone forever.

Now we're only seven.

One hour to penetrate the zone.

Men reduced to one day's food and the ammunition tripled. Side arms, machine

guns, nothing else.

A fine -comb search operation with the 3rd and 2nd platoons west of that ridge.

Call me if you spot anyone.

Claro. Si, senor.

It's a quarter past twelve, so we should be in La Higuera around eight o 'clock.

I was planning to rest up and pour out the champagne.

Yes, because, you know, today is my birthday.

Then many happy returns of the day, senor Capitan.

When this story's ended, the name of your locanda will make headlines in

country in the world.

Tell me, how about opening a hotel in La Paz?

First class.

Huh? Would you like that?

I hope he tricks you.

Ah, you're wild about Che like all the women are.

It's only natural with those eyes like a demon's, with that hair and beard and

his beret. Oh, I admit, he's handsome, all right.

And there's that legend around his name, a creation of fat -headed romantics.

How's one man able to scare you?

Why don't you kill him?

But consider the result of martyring him. The people would like very much to

provided with a real hero.

Do it.

What's new at CIA?

Operation Cynthia is underway.

The 4th and 8th Divisions are on the move.

Everything you ask for is on its way here, including a little extra.

Yeah. And all that to fight one person called Guevara.

It'll make this country a laughing stock among nations.

Che's one person, but he's a person who breeds rebellion.

Burn it down.

Rodriguez!

Yes, Captain. Get him moving.

How long since you took a bath, Ocasio?

I bet the last time he got his feet, that was 12 years ago when we landed in

Cuba.

Ah, but to tell a real guerrilla, your nose is enough. You know that.

Hold on, Pepe, or the colonel will sweep you away.

Look out for your rifles.

I'm going to address.

We've got any soap. My last piece got swiped by a monkey at Alto Seco.

Hey, Vicente Shipwreck.

Carajo. Now all our cash is wet.

I can send my bag.

You can make tortillas with it for all that stuff's worth.

Try it in the sun.

Acasio. I'm coming.

Looks like we're going fishing today.

Whoa. That did Miranda.

Wash some of that dandruff.

Just take care of the lice and you're... I want to feel good.

You're liable to get wet.

Watch out, Ramirez.

Worse than toilet paper falls to pieces.

Say, Vicente, why don't you plant some of it, huh? You see how fast things grow

around here?

It's a long time since I've seen you laugh, Ernesto.

Well, it does you good every now and then, like fresh water. It purges,

disinfects.

You act as though you're frightened.

Of what?

I want to find the doctor. Are you the doctor? Yes, that's right.

I have a letter here.

Just a minute.

Buenos dias, doctor.

Let's get inside my house.

Who sent you?

Elche. He sent you without a guide?

No, I had two with me in the forest of Pucara, on their way to the frontier.

Come in.

It's better that we keep you out of sight.

Is there anything else?

When do you have to go back to him?

Depends on you.

I'll wait till I can take him your answer.

Well, the bus we want leaves Valle Grande tomorrow.

And you'll go along with me to Santa Cruz.

Are you tired?

But why all the way to Santa Cruz? But how will he find you?

I have no other choice if I'm to do what he wants. You just have to trust me.

It's difficult for Che to realize how divided our people are.

And it's always the same story. Their bickerings, their stupid rivalries.

He's an Argentine, you see.

He doesn't know the mentality of the Indios like I do.

He's an idealist.

If he weren't, he would never have come to Bolivia.

Are you ready? Is it far to where we get the bus?

About 30 miles, that's all.

To Valle Grande to see a patient I have there. No, no one's supposed to leave

town. There's a maneuver going on.

You can't leave because they've got roadblocks everywhere.

Besides, they might need a doctor here.

Yes, but now there's this patient that I must go to. Yes.

When you're a sick man and must call a doctor in, the doctor can't fail.

You can let me through, can't you?

No, doctor, I'm sorry. I can't let you go without orders from my commander.

Hold it, Pepe.

Wait a minute.

Hombre, I won't shoot you.

You're lucky I'm a doctor.

Some bandages.

Let me see.

There,

Pepe.

Go on now, you can make it. This is one time, you'll live to tell.

Wait a second.

It's nothing to cry about there.

We never kill a man who can't fight.

It's a good rule.

Here.

Come on.

Está bien.

Don't look so shocked, Pepe.

We fight our battles this way, too.

Over and out.

Argueiros!

A column of jeeps and half -track was just ambushed.

Orders are to search the entire zone.

That means us, so we're moving out.

Sergeant, we're moving out. As for you, I want you to patrol every route and

bypass in the area.

Don't lose any time. Get moving.

Look for more.

Will you repeat that?

Any news of them?

I radioed a general alert to all units, sir.

Captain Potters and his men have been searching along the river.

You know there were only three survivors of the last attack.

A new group of reinforcements has been positioned here.

We recovered the bodies of two of their men killed by our aircraft. Yes, it's

just as I thought.

They're moving out along the Rio Grande.

The ranger group with Major Auroa is closing in.

And if it's Guevara, they'll capture him.

It's Che.

Fought a drink?

We sent her.

I bet she didn't sleep.

An airplane.

Woke me up a few hours back.

At midnight.

They're buzzing around us, huh?

I wish I knew where we are.

I'm just naturally curious.

What's the name of that stream down there, Ernesto?

The Rio Grande, it's called.

And the valley?

La Quebrada del Loro.

That's my guess.

You Bolivians ever been in these parts?

No.

No. No, I've never been out of the mining country.

What time is it, Ernesto?

6 .30.

We're stopping too long, don't you think?

We better go.

Come on, Ramirez. Pepe, Acacio, let's move before a plane spots us.

I'd just like to meet one of the pilots of those damn planes. I told you the day

we got here what we could expect from them.

It's a price we all pay, Acacio.

To make others understand our struggle against those who oppress them, we have

to be prepared to die.

Yes, I know, Commandante.

But how many would cry at the news of my death?

Or of yours?

Not a one.

But a lot would be likely to sigh at it.

A big sigh of relief.

That's what gives me the most encouragement.

Yes, they certainly would.

And I don't know why, but I feel that some of my friends would do the same.

Because you're their conscience.

And everybody likes a quiet conscience.

I do what you do.

I wouldn't ask how much the price we pay is.

Maybe it's the highest.

It's worth it.

October 7th.

20 hours of forced march yesterday.

Today will be the same.

Our location is hard to determine. Not a living soul to be seen.

And since last night, a phrase keeps running through my mind.

To persist in fighting a guerrilla war without the support of the population is

to head straight toward disaster.

I wrote that phrase myself in my book on guerrilla tactics, and now it's

hounding me step by step with the annoyance of a mosquito.

This is our gators. Give me the captain.

They're here.

Third and second platoon deployed together into Canyon of Quebrada de

Alert all reconnaissance planes at once.

Block the entrances to the canyon.

I'll head upstream with the first platoon.

Inform headquarters by radio of this operation.

Over and out.

Off going.

It's a month since I've slept in a bed, Arguedas.

Well, tonight I think I'll sleep in one.

Well, you think we'll finally be sent on leave?

Where are you going to spend yours?

In Rome, Italy. That's where I was raised.

My father was a cavalry officer there.

I'd like to see the place again.

Move them faster. Si, senor. Come on, close up.

Ramirez!

Ramirez!

Ramirez! It's you, Cesar Nesto. He's dead. Come on!

Acacio, where are the others?

Somewhere behind you.

Stay down here.

We'll all be trapped.

We'll have to try to get up there.

So we won't have them on our backs. Watch it. There's some above us.

Try it.

I can block the other.

Sure? Not yet. They got us covered.

Here, Ernesto.

Put me down a moment.

We've got cover here.

I heard

that.

Don't worry about it.

As soon as we catch our breath, I'll be able to walk.

Willie, go see if there's a path.

Workies.

There may still be more of his men around here. Come on, let's go.

Because you're Che Guevara, aren't you?

Senor Stewart.

The pause is on the line.

Stuart.

Cynthia's finished.

Over.

I'm going to help Che.

After all, I owe it as a professional courtesy.

He's a doctor, too.

Today we conclude the 11th month of war in Bolivia.

I'm going to call everyone together to mark the importance of the anniversary.

A day spent without surprises.

A spring day in the country.

Like most diaries, it's a waste of paper.

Che learned too late that my rangers are men of another kind than those cowardly

Cubans of Batista's.

Yes, but you owed all to Che, remember?

Don't forget the sort of army we had, Colonel.

4 ,000 ignorant men and badly paid.

Now you have 30 ,000 men smarter than paint and able -bodied.

Right. 30 ,000 men to capture one.

Senores, what do we do with El Che?

That's our first problem.

That's true.

That's very true.

Guevara doesn't compare with those prisoners taken who come under the

convention. Nor is he someone you can bring to trial so world opinion can

appeal.

Doctor, where are you going?

No one can go in there.

See to my men for the moment.

Yes, sir.

Close that door.

An M1 rifle.

But modified.

It's much lighter.

Just right for good of your warfare.

It's very skillful work, too. Did you do it yourself?

Yes.

You're an Indian.

Am I right?

Yeah, I have.

Catch you.

But why was I taken here to be questioned, Agnete?

It makes me sad to see a school transformed into a prison.

There's one thing I must ask.

There's a pair of cufflinks in my sack.

Would you see that they're sent to my son?

Well, I'll ask the colonel if he'll let me.

No, no.

Don't ask anything.

Thanks, all the same.

I did not order a helicopter from the base at Valle Grande or anywhere else.

However, I'm transporting my rangers first.

Without a specific command that I have not had yet, you're not taking the

prisoner anyplace.

But I thought the prisoner had first priority, sir.

My men have first priority, rebels last.

Doctor, transfer the wounded to the helicopter.

And you help them. Fados, take care of them.

They've been on duty a month without letter.

We don't spare them, but we do show our concern when we can.

That's all, Major.

Typical of the airborne fighters, flying in when you've bagged your catch.

A cheap maneuver to take Kibara off our hands and grab all the credit.

Look here.

I don't believe there were only seven of you left.

Count the bodies, then.

You might as well talk.

It's all over with.

Now, it's just started.

Not at all.

The revolution is not my concern.

It's who backed you.

I understand.

Bueno.

So you can kill them, right?

But who in politics doesn't risk being killed?

Ministers, chiefs of state, leaders of revolutions.

We don't even have capital punishment.

You'll go free in all probability.

Although I mustn't promise you. Maybe, maybe not.

It's possible, though, once you tell us the arrangement.

Oh, in the strictest confidence, I mean.

Possibly face a court -martial, but with no punishment, you understand.

And time will pass and you... I'm not in the pay of your government. I work for

the revolution.

I will pay with my life and no one else's.

Cabron!

An open trial.

In the midst of all the uproar the news of his capture is going to cause around

the world, why, we'd be the butt of all kinds of political speculation.

No, no, no. I beg you to reconsider.

Then let's delay the announcement.

Let the dust settle a bit until the situation has lost the heat of the

And what about him? He's safe and out of the way. He can't harm us.

But it's the others who will harm us. Yes, I can see it now.

Tirades, petitions, demonstrations.

By the time the trial begins, the accused will enter the court wearing a

martyr's halo. I agree.

Senores, the country is already disturbed enough.

If the legend of a martyr is added to the myth of a hero, we'll be swamped

propaganda.

Then the only conclusion, absurd as it may be, is that Che in captivity is more

dangerous than at large. So I suggest let's not allow the others to make

propaganda. Let's make it ourselves.

Let the government do it to its own advantage.

What do you mean?

An act that would have enormous effect on public opinion.

What, putting back in circulation?

I didn't say that.

This is going to provoke the army.

Think of the blood of our soldiers.

And besides, there's the risk of being made ridiculous at the very moment that

we... Yes?

Ah, yes.

The line till I get us is out of order. They're calling back from Balagrande.

Have them hold the line. I'll hold the line.

Well, they're waiting for a decision.

Just a moment.

The dispatch said he was wounded, didn't it?

Yes. He could even be seriously wounded. Well, supposing it is serious.

Why not say critical?

I mean, all his companions died in the skirmish, and if you like, it's a

death for a guerrilla fighter.

But he didn't die.

Why not?

Yeah.

Right. Why not?

Why not?

6 .30.

Bartos is still gone.

Yeah.

I noticed, Major, when there's a crisis, telephone never works.

Well, your report was a bombshell that no one in La Paz expected.

Then to Veligrande and back in a jeep at night.

Ah.

You took plenty of time, eh?

I had to wait there to make the call. I held the line for an hour. What the hell

do they want?

The official version of his death will be that he was killed with the others in

action.

Dan.

They passed him back to us.

But Jay knew it better than you or me.

We removed him from the living the moment we captured him.

His face has to be intact, just like it is.

It's an order.

I've got to obey it.

But who will carry out the order?

You?

Major?

As long as my orders are military, I obey them.

So, authorize a firing squad.

I will command it.

Nah, it's too obvious.

Colonel, Sergeant Lerner could be trusted, I think.

Well, call him in, Pados.

Let's be done with it.

Aim below his shoulders.

I'm ready.

Don't be afraid.

I'm ready.

Oh!

Yes, I guess that wraps it up.

Well, let's be off.

Colonel, just a word.

Excuse me, Major. How did he die?

Loss of blood.

What they say that is.

The rest is history.

The other hand will be willing to hold our weapons.