Che: Part Two (2008) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The decline and fall of Che Guevara's guerrilla campaign in Bolivia.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Vanishing Leader

Che disappears from Cuba after a public letter renouncing his titles. He infiltrates Bolivia using fake papers provided by Fidel.

Key Events

• Che's Disappearance — Che disappears after announcing control of sugar production; Aleida claims ignorance. Characters: Fidel Castro, Aleida March Location: Camagüey, Cuba
• Public Letter Reading — Fidel reads Che's letter renouncing Cuban citizenship and functions publicly. Characters: Fidel Castro Location: Cuba
• Infiltration into Bolivia — Che uses fake papers provided by Fidel to enter Bolivia disguised as Ramon. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: La Paz, Bolivia

Struggle in the Mountains

Guerrillas establish a camp but face rejection from the local communist party and failure to recruit peasants.

Key Events

• Camp Establishment — Guerrillas train intensively and receive weapons in the mountains. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Ñancahuazú Mountains
• Communist Party Rejection — The Bolivian Communist Party refuses to support the armed struggle. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivia
• Tania's Mission — Che sends Tania on a secret mission to seduce President Barrientos. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivia
• Recruitment Failure — Guerrillas fail to gain peasant support and are mistaken for drug traffickers. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivian Villages

Betrayal and Isolation

Deserters reveal the camp location, and CIA advisors arrive to bolster the Bolivian army. Internal conflicts worsen.

Key Events

• Recruitment Failure — Guerrillas fail to gain peasant support and are mistaken for drug traffickers. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivian Villages
• Camp Compromise — Deserters lead the army to the camp, revealing Cuban identities and food reserves. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Base Camp
• Ambush Attempt — Che attempts to ambush Bolivian soldiers but releases them quickly. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivia
• CIA Intervention — President Barrientos calls US advisors to supervise anti-insurrection operations. Characters: President René Barrientos Location: Bolivia
• Debray Sent Abroad — Guevara asks Debray to seek support and money in Europe and Cuba. Characters: Régis Debray, Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivia

The Net Closes

Debray is captured, and the guerrilla force is divided. The second column is destroyed, leading to isolation.

Key Events

• Debray Sent Abroad — Guevara asks Debray to seek support and money in Europe and Cuba. Characters: Régis Debray, Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivia
• Debray Capture — Debray and Bustos are captured by the Bolivian army. Characters: Régis Debray, Ciro Bustos Location: Muyupampa
• Airstrike on Camp — An airstrike forces guerrillas to hide deeper in the heights. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Guerrilla Camp
• Force Division — Che divides forces: best fighters join him, others transport supplies. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivia

Fall of the Hero

Che is captured after a final ambush, interrogated, and executed by Mario Terán. A flashback concludes the narrative.

Key Events

• Second Column Destroyed — The second column is annihilated by the army; Tania and Juan are killed. Characters: Tania (Haydee Tamara Bunke Bider) Location: Vado del Yeso
• Che's Illness — Che suffers from acute asthma but continues to lead his troops. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Bolivia
• Ambush at Alto Seco — Guerrillas are ambushed by the Bolivian army near La Higuera. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Alto Seco
• Che Captured — Che is surrounded, wounded, and captured by the Bolivian army. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: Yuro Ravine
• Interrogation — Ramírez interrogates Che, mentioning he once executed Che's uncle. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: La Higuera
• Execution Order — High command orders execution via code 'Order 600'. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: La Higuera
• Che Executed — Che is shot by Mario Terán and his body evacuated by helicopter. Characters: Ernesto Che Guevara Location: La Higuera
• Granma Flashback — Flashback to 1956 showing Guevara with the Castro brothers before the revolution. Characters: Fidel Castro Location: Granma Ship

Story Breakdown

• Departure from Cuba — Che leaves Cuba and goes underground.
  • Public Letter — Che renounces his Cuban identity publicly.
  • Infiltration — Che enters Bolivia disguised as Ramon.
• Guerrilla Setup — Establishment of the base in Ñancahuazú.
  • Training — Intensive training and weapon reception.
  • Party Rejection — Bolivian Communist Party refuses support.
• External Pressures — Growing opposition from locals and government.
  • Peasant Hostility — Locals mistake guerrillas for drug traffickers.
  • CIA Involvement — US advisors arrive to train Bolivian army.
• Internal Conflicts — Discord within the guerrilla ranks.
  • Food Shortage — Conflicts arise over ration distribution.
  • Desertion — Soldiers desert and reveal camp location.
• Military Setbacks — Key defeats and captures.
  • Debray Capture — French intellectual captured at Muyupampa.
  • Column Annihilation — Second column destroyed by informants.
• Final Collapse — Che's capture and execution.
  • Capture — Che surrounded and wounded in Yuro Ravine.
  • Execution — Che shot by Mario Terán after interrogation.

Directed by

Steven Soderbergh

Key Cast

• Benicio del Toro — Ernesto Che Guevara
• Carlos Bardem — Moisés Guevara
• Demián Bichir — Fidel Castro
• Joaquim de Almeida — President René Barrientos
• Pablo Durán — Pacho (Alberto Fernández Montes de Oca)